Christmas wrap-up

Okay, it's time to wrap-up the Christmas stuff. See below.



Christmas was a complete joy. We had a house full of friends on Christmas Eve, much good food to share, and a band of kids running around high on holiday glee. (See Aaron in his pirate costume.) We hope to do it again next year.

Christmas morning, Hannah was up first, a good hour or so before her brother. when Aaron finally woke up, he wasn't too sure what this Santa business was all about. He came downstairs and asked for his ritual warm milk before touching a gift. But once he got into it, it was all very exciting. Hannah loved the paper and boxes (of course!) and actually got into unloading her own stocking. BTW, I think one of Aaron's favorite gifts were the M&Ms in his stocking. This guy has his father's sweet tooth, to be sure.

On December 26, my mom and I loaded the kids into the car and headed for Michigan while Paul pulled out the nail gun and got to work laying wood floors on the upper level of our house.

It was fun to see Aaron really interact with all of our relatives this year. We got to spend loads of time with Grandma Great, including racing Aaron's new remote control car all around the assisted living home where she lives. And Aaron spent lots of time playing with cousins - swimming, bowling, air hockey. You name it.

Paul (with the help of a good friend) did an amazing job on the floors and literally finished up as we pulled into the driveway at 10:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve with kids sleeping in the back of the car. We shuttled the kids up to bed and shared a glass of wine on the couch before calling it a night. I think we're both glad that stage of house renovations is over. Whew.

P.S. - The abandoned looking building above is the swim club where I was a lifeguard through high school and college. It's been vacant for a few years, and seems to be another sign of the strife that's riddled Michigan over the past several years. Sad.

P.P.S. - Notice in the Christmas photos that Aaron left Santa cookies, a beer and carrot for the reindeer.