It's Over!

Well, Christmas is over and I have to say that I am glad! I really love the anticipation of Christmas, but it seems like such a let-down when it's over. You spend at least a whole month preparing for everything, making sure everything is perfect and then in an hour, it's over. It's kind of weird...maybe I'm the only one that feels like that.

Santa was very good to us this year. I think that next year I'll let him to know to tone down a bit. We don't buy our kids much throughout the year- they get for birthdays and Christmas, anything else they buy themselves, so we do tend to spoil them for Christmas. However, it seems like the spirit of Christmas gets lost somewhere in the ribbons and bows. My New Year Resolution this year is to focus on the simplicity of life and to stop getting so worked up about the "stuff" that bogs us down. More time with family and friends and less time worrying! (Those that know me, know the less worrying is next to impossible!!!!)

We spent Christmas Eve with the Stapelman side of the family. We did a Night in Bethlehem. They made us dress as though we were really there. (Some of us were not so excited about that part!) We ate food that would have been true to the times- chunks of roasted turkey, pita bread, nuts and dried fruits, and cheese. The nativity was acted out and songs strewn in throughout the play. It was really neat. My brother, Jason sang "Oh, Holy Night" acappelo (sp?) He did a great job, it's one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs. It gave me chills.

Afterward, we went to mom's house and opened gifts with her and my brothers and sisters. There were lots of nieces and nephews, but they were all really good about waiting their turns. Steph and David had to leave early to get Brittney to work, so it seemed rather short this year. I took Traci's kids home to her and then we came home. Gary's parents stayed the night again this year so they could be here for Christmas morning. This is the third year they have come up and the kids really look forward to it. They start asking about Halloween if they are staying for Christmas Eve!

Treven woke us up about 6:30. Gary had a super hard time getting up. He kept telling us that it wasn't 7! It didn't work, so he finally gave in and got up. We opened stockings and gifts and then we had hot chocolate, homemade cinnamon rolls (thanks g.g. Wood!) and oranges. Then we got ready and went to Grandpa and Grandma Jones for Christmas dinner. Everything was delicious and we had a great time.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and we wish you all the best in the New Year!!!