Christmas With Grandma and Grandpa G and Christmas Eve

We had an early Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Gottschalk over the weekend since they are leaving Christmas day for Italy. It was a fun weekend filled with secret stocking gifts, Christmas gifts, and excellent food. I think we all came home a bit heavier than we left. Jason and Lauren have been busy with their new Wii games, spending most of today in their pajamas in front of the television playing away. John is waiting for a break in the weather to try out his new bike gloves, and I am shopping feverishly with my new Land's End gift card burning a hole in my pocket.

We have a great group of friends here in California. The ironic thing is that almost nobody is actually from California, John being the exception to that rule. We all got together tonight to celebrate Christmas Eve. The Lynch family hosted (they are from Massachusetts), the Glass family was there (South Africa), the Osbornes arrived as we were leaving (North Carolina), the Thompsons and their father from Iowa, Peggy (New York), and many others. I have found that out here, people all band together as so many seem to be away from family and loved ones. On our way home, we drove around looking at the Christmas lights in the neighborhood. It made me homesick for Christmas Street, and the near by street that has the Bible story of the birth of Christ. I long for the snow, Dad trying to get us to drink eggnog mixed with 7-Up, and Grandma's house on Christmas day. I know that so many things have changed over the last few years. Grandma has a new place to live and I missed the last couple of years that she hosted Christmas at her house. I think that is what I will miss the most. Looking forward though, I can't wait to see what my children think of their new gifts. I look forward to our family traditions of mincemeat coffee cake for breakfast and John's birthday celebration in the afternoon. I can't wait to eat the Honeybaked ham sitting in the fridge calling my name.

This Christmas I wish you all plenty of great memories of the past, as well as traditions, old and new. I wish you all hope and peace for the future, and pure enjoyment of the present. Merry Christmas!