Happy Christmas!

Christmas 2006 has come and technically gone. What really kept me sane, and in a happy, were constant self reminders of why we celebrate Christmas.

This has been the most joyful, and the most sorrowful Christmas holiday I can remember. The entire family was home! It is likely the last time we will all be together for a very long while. Jason is off to BYU-Idaho, and will be married in a few short months. Amberly is headed off to Budapest, and will be there when Mike leaves. Jared will be on his own progressive path and Ben... still a little unknown on that one, but he going to be something else! This has been the first time that I remember all of us together, completely happy. I wonder what it's like, to only have the happy part, without the sorrow or painful memories. It is actually possible? Perhaps not... either way, the search goes on. My own mind was here most of the time but I often slipped back to about the same time last year... Enough of that!

Christmas Eve was crowded! We had Muriel's family, Brian, Jared, and Ron & Anne Scott over for dinner. We all got to know Ron and Anne... They are some amazing people! Plus they have really cool accents!

The McClain's are as wonderful people as are found in these or any other parts! It was incredible to have them here with us, and I have to say... Jason is going to have the most wonderful in-laws!

Christmas Eve dinner was spread into two rooms, with lots of wonderful conversation, fires in wood burning stoves, turkey, pies, and oh so much more! Brian and I left a little early to visit his grandparents, but we made back in time for a photo shoot!