Christmas Cheer

Derrick and I spent the holiday in Arkansas with my family and it was an awesome 3 day event.
Day 1:
- A group of high school folks got together so I caught with friends and laughed (and laughed) at old stories.

Day 2:
- Em, Derrick and I put together a gingerbread house.
- We toured my dad's workplace.
- We watched old home movies, which is how I learned that I was a late bloomer in terms of my "skipping" skills. There's footage of a 3-year-old ballerina Jules "skipping" across the stage dressed as a flower, but it more or less looks like I'm running with my left leg while my right leg drags behind me. My arms swing with each gallop to try and get the "up" in the skipping motion. More sad than cute really. Not only were my skipping skills underdeveloped, I couldn't even sing the song "skip to my lou". My parents would make me sing on command because it was cute how I sang "WOO WOO skip to my WOO".

Moving on...

- Christmas Eve at Grandma's house... snack food, our maltese, Angel, in a Razorback sweater, gifts, egg nog, and the hand held 20 questions game. It was at this stop I got coat hangers. I think you've turned some maturity corner when you ask for hangers and water bottles for Christmas.

Day 3:
- Christmas morning we tore into Santa's gifts. New shoes, a new long coat for D, matching warm ups for Em and me... and my sister came up with this thoughtful gift (below). Our great aunt, Lou (as in "skip to my lou") gave my sister recipe boxes that were my Grandma Ann's. Grandma Ann passed away just before I was born (our names are similar) so it was an especially sweet gift. She framed a photograph of Gma Ann and added two handwritten recipes that I'd like. Such a sweet, thoughtful gift. Em always has thoughtful gifts! It was a fun morning, Dad broke out the video camera, and we ended the even with BBQ at my Grandpa's house.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, I'd love to hear how you celebrated!