Christmas
Merry Christmas to All!
We returned a little while ago from Tim’s Dad’s house. It was our 4th gift-giving/Christmas celebration. It’s interesting how each gathering has a different feel.
Friday night we drove to Richmond to be with Tim’s Mom. Saturday was Christmas Eve (Eve) for us. In the evening we went to see the decorations at the Jefferson Hotel and then a lit reindeer display. We watched “The Sound of Music” and had a Christmas dinner. Sunday, Christmas [Eve] we opened stockings, had a simple breakfast, then opened gifts. I was worried that there would be several gifts to open for everyone except Jan. Happily, in addition to ours, she had received gifts from 2 of her 3 sisters and from a friend. She made french toast for lunch and we headed home at 1pm.
I started feeling a sore throat Thursday and it progessed Friday. Saturday I did not sleep well at all, none of us did for part of the night. Then Sunday Tim started feeling unwell. He is feeling better and I think I am swiftly battling my cold because of the homeopathic remedy Zaicam. Sara Ellen has just been sneezing and her nose running a little.
Sunday we had an early supper with my Uncle Frank and his family, our usual Christmas routine. At 8pm we attended a candlelight service, joined by Tim’s Dad’s family. I was a little nervous because we hadn’t sat in the sanctuary since Sara Ellen started self-propelling herself. Normally we sit in the chapel which looks into the sanctuary. I was also unsure of using a candle. Tim’s step-sister loves to hold Sara Ellen and help her to sleep; she held her almost the whole time, except when The Helms Family lit the Christ candle. 
Back at home Emily made Norwegian Grøt ris, rice porridge. We’d had it in Norway last year and asked a friend of Tim’s to send us some this year. We also had last minute things to wrap. We all got to bed between midnight and 1am.
This morning we opened stockings and waited for breakfast to be ready as usual. I awoke at 7:45 and urged Tim up, reassuring him he could sleep in tomorrow but not today. Sara Ellen woke up around 9. We had breakfast and slowly got to our tree. As usual, one person picks a gift for someone else and on it goes. I love our Christmas traditions. It was great all spending time together talking and not watching tv. At 1pm Frank & Co. arrived. We had dinner first so Tim and I would have empty bellies by dinner time at the Altman’s. Then came more gifts.
My cousin Barrie and I hung out a lot at kids, same with our sisters, Erinna and Emily. As we’ve grown I guess we’ve also grown apart and we hardly see eachother. I’m sad that conversation doesn’t flow so easily.
At 5pm we arrived at the Altman’s. We had a smaller Christmas Dinner while watching “Ice Age: The Meltdown.” It seemed like a normal visit, not very Christmasy. Tim’s step-mom Jan’s friend came over and while they visited we just hung out. Then Tim’s, and his sister’s friend Liz came over for a few minutes with her husband. We’ll see them again tomorrow. We got to gifts and they were just piled in front of us! It’s a little overwhelming. The greatest gift was gift cards to Olive Garden and a local cinema for a date night. Tim’s sister Corri and her significant other are coming to visit at the end of this week.
Also great (among many) was $100 to Old Navy from Fred, a Martha Graham book from Jan (Tim’s mom), plus nursing camisoles! I got to check off items from my wishlist!
Sara Ellen fell asleep on the way home so I’m able to do whatever before I do too.
I hope all of you had a happy Christmas, and that you are healthy and happy.
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