Nightglow Window

Merry Christmas

Last night we went to mass and arrived (partially by accident) a full 90 minutes before it started. We had our choice of seats, but it immediately began to fill up around us and was standing room only with still 40 minutes to go. There must have been 3,000 people there. It was a mass full of joy. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it through him."

Later, we baked cookies for Santa and the girls left letters for the ol' chimney bounder. Sydney's read,

"Dear Santa, For Christmas I want a new electric pencil sharpener. If you don't give it to me, I won't be mad because I haven't been all that good this year. Have a yum yum cookie, I made them myself. From, Sydney."

Kind of cute and sad at the same time, eh? It made me smile.

We finished wrapping to A Wonderful Life and were done by 10:00 p.m. and in bed not much later than that.

So when the little mice were up at the crack of dawn this morning with excited exclamations of "Santa was here!" I was awake and excited too. The day was a smile from that point on.

Santa did indeed leave an electric pencil sharpener -- and a few things more for all of us. A mountain of spent wrapping paper and some heartfelt surprise and gratitude were the rewards for all the weeks spent shopping.

JP, Suze, and Casey came down mid morning for the breakfast feast and more present opening.

They leave around 2:00 p.m. and after a short nap we went over to Mike and Heather's for dinner and a game of Taboo. It was all very low-key and fun.

Merry Christmas!


It's 6:15 and who can sleep when presents need unwrapping?


Boots were a big gift for both the girls.


Mr. bedhead with his new tires.


Santa left a small surprise for the bean -- and she was pretty shocked.


The mound of Christmas debris builds. Yep, it is "Awesome!"


The girls, ready for Maui, head outside to greet Grandpa JP, Grandma Suze and Aunt Casey.


America's Top Model contestant #1.


America's Top Model contestant #2.


Sydney tries out her new makeup kit. ("Gulp!" I say to myself).


Grandpa JP and Grandma Suze.