The day after Christmas is usually the day when I go to target and buy Christmas decorations at 50 to 90% off. Today is a Sunday so I am at home resting on this Sabbath. I find my self feeling very reflective.
Late Christmas Eve, Dean and I were noticing that it didn't feel like Christmas. The weather played a big role in that. Ususally, in our Colorado location, we get some snow in December. It has been a tradition to go sledding on Christmas Eve before our dinner. It has been sunny and in the 50s. I am not complaining. I was wishing for a mild winter. Now that I've got it, I have to accept that a mild winter includes no sledding and no cozy, sit by the fire and drink hot chocolate feeling.
Christmas Eve was wonderful this year. Dean and I finished the tile floor at 4 am early Christmas Eve morning. We got about 4 hours of sleep before we awoke and started our day. Dean made everyone a breakfast of eggs and sausage. He went shopping with the boys and Sydney, Quinn and I stayed home. I cleaned up the house and prepared the home for our coming Chistmas celebrations. After lunch and some candy making, we went to the mall to see if we could find a Santa.
I have never been to a mall on Christmas Eve. In my mind, I thought that most people would be home with their families. Apparently, that is not the case. The mall was mobbed with many people. We were not deterred. We went into the mall and were determined to find Santa and his elves. We looked around awhile and finally found him on a lower floor. After finally arriving to the line to see Santa, we quickly got in line. Only a few minutes later, a fellow who was only doing his job had to inform us that unless we had a Santa express ticket (which were sold out) we would have to get out of line. Reluctantly, we did get out of the line. Our spirits weren't too dampened. We found a pet shop with puppies, kittens, and hamsters. They were so adorable! I wanted to take one home right then. But, I had to hold back those feelings because we weren't prepared to get a puppy just yet. Oh, it would be so much fun to get a cute little doggie! But it is better to think things through and be prepared.
When we got home, we had a dinner of soup and crusty bread in the newly put together dining room to candlelight. Yummy! Afterward we had our nativity scene. Ethan and Seth did some of the filming. Then we had egg nog and an opening of a present. The kids went to bed soon after. Then Santa arrived! It was around 1 am. It was a wonderful Christmas! So much fun. Only 363 more days until next Christmas....
