Merry Christmas 2007

I can't believe my four-day Christmas break is over and I have to go back to work. I am really bummed that I have to go back today and wish that I could just hang out with Kristin and Mo through the end of this week. Our holiday was peppered with some illness; first Kristin had the stomach bug at the top of the break, and I was a bit under the weather the second half. We managed to have a great time despite our maladies. It's all a blur now, but I will try to recap the highlights:

My sister Chrissy came in from Knoxville, and we managed to see a good deal of her. We had dinner one night at Lynn's Paradise Cafe (a quirky little joint that everyone from out of town needs to see) and that was the night that Kristin came down with the bug. Even though it was not the cause of her illness, she will never be able to eat Lynn's meatloaf again.

We hosted Christmas Eve at our house after going to Church; both sides of our immediate families were invited. Last year we had to cancel our Christmas Eve gathering because of a sewer backup in our basement. We were on the verge of canceling this year because of illness, but I did not want that label as the guy who cancels Christmas so we pushed forward. It was a good time, though we missed out on going to the zoo with my family and going to a movie with Kristin's family because we had to clean the house. Mojo got to go to the zoo, and by all accounts, was thrilled to be there. Especially because she got to ride in a double stroller with her cousin Claire. I think next year we are going to skip the party so we can make ourselves more available to relax and hang out with the family a bit more.

Christmas morning was pure joy, watching little Mo open her presents. She went ape-shi* when she opened an Elmo's World DVD, and really got into her pots, pans and plastic food toys after she was done unwrapping. That was round one. Round two came at my brother John's house when she received almost as many presents from my family. By the time round three came at her Aunt Kathy and Uncle Scott's house, sensory overload took over. She really raked in the booty. We managed to stop off at the nursing home to see Mojo's great grandfather, Doc, but the timing was not right. He was not quite up to having visitors due to equipment malfunctions, so our visit was short, yet sweet. We will need to get back over there when the timing is a little better.

The day was capped off at Kristin's Aunt Linda's house for dinner. It was all very fun and exhausting. I'm usually bummed that the build-up for Christmas never pays off once the day arrives, but this year was the exception. I think it was a very nice holiday, and I feel privileged to have such loving and caring family to spend it with. Just think, by this time next year we will have two little ones to enjoy the holidays with. I don't like to use the word blessed, but I'd say that we truly are.