MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE GIRARDEAU FAMILY

     This year, we stayed at our house for Christmas. It was just the four of us, since we couldn't afford to fly home for the holidays. I don't know who was more bummed out.... My parents or us! This would be the first time in 30 years that I haven't been home at Christmas. I was having a hard time accepting this, but I knew I had to get into the Christmas spirit for the girls.... And I have to say that I did pretty well! I'm proud of myself!

     We started getting into the Christmas spirit by doing our usual cookie baking. I went nuts, I must say. The girls and I made my cream cheese cutouts, gingerbread cookies, molasses cookies, doohickies, and eggnog cutouts. The girls had a blast decorating them and we even sent my sister and my parents a Christmas care package with presents and homemade cookies. (And I'm very happy to say that they made it to Michigan just fine!)

     We took the girls to the Jr. Rank's annual kids Christmas party. They had a wonderful party organized for all the kids. They were served hot dogs, chips and pop for lunch. Then they also had a magician doing tricks for them. But the best part is when Santa flew in on a Sea King helicopter. All the kids went outside and watched as the helicopter landed and out came Santa. Once inside, he called all the kids up by name and handed them their presents...2 a piece! Haley received a musical carousel that she had to put together and a Bratz doll. Katie got a paint by number kit and a really cute large stuffed penguin (which she loved.... She's got a thing for penguins this year!)

     Christmas Eve was hard for me, because we are usually home at my parent's playing cards and having a spiked eggnog. I really missed being there with my family. But, I had to be happy for the girls.

     The girls woke us up around 8:00 am on Christmas morning. They couldn't wait to get downstairs to see what Santa brought for them. Boy were they surprised! In addition to the presents that Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Lori, Pepere and Grandma MaryAnn, and both sets of their Great - Grandparents sent, Santa was really good to them too! I guess they must have been really good this year!

     Anyway, it took the girls about an hour to open gifts and then they got to spend some time playing with them.

     We had a wonderful Christmas dinner, (if I do say so myself): spiral ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, homemade bread and pumpkin pie. We had a great Christmas, just the four of us.