Merry, Merry! (Post haste).

I am glad Christmas is over. I will also add, it was good.

I enjoyed listening to Reid and Holt talk about Santa, his snack and the reindeer's oatmeal. They speak with such reverence.

Krl and I began our Christmas Day by driving to Roscoe. Even though we had had snow, since I worked Christmas Eve at the parts store I knew we could make the drive. We arrived shortly after eleven in the morning and only Memama and Pepa were there. Tj's kids had gone to Pat's to see what Santa had left for them there. Krl and I hit the kitchen running, and we ran until just about three.

I am making several suggestions about future holidays, the scheduling, the menu, the preparations. I suppose the first opportunity for implementation will be in February when we get everyone together to celebrate Memama and Pepa's sixtieth wedding anniversary.

There are so many shortcuts we could be taking in meal prep. Yesterday was a lot like what the first few Thanksgivings at St. Lawrence. You could work your butt off.

I am wanting to specialize. Fred's group is good at desserts, Pat is good at vegetable casseroles and salads. Steve's group is good at sweet 'taters, Terri's group is good at peeling taters. (Just kidding). With Rian, Krl and my field is main course and squash dressing.

While I know how much Memama lives for days like yesterday, after spending most of the "crunch" time with her I feel at times she was over whelmed. I don't want to force her into something she isn't ready for, I just think she could use some help.

Coach and his family didn't make it to Roscoe. They spent Christmas Eve in Lantana at Colby's and they kind of got surprised by the winter storm. Last time I talked with them they were trying to get to the Lake. They got to travel all day in that wintery mess!

We had a house full last evening. It was fun. We opened gifts before delving into the huge bevy of Mexican food on hand. It was wonderful. All of our family can speak fluent spanish this morning! (just kidding).

We had company in our home until after midnight.

This morning Addison woke me just after six, letting Witleigh out. By seven thirty Rian and the boys had come in from their motorhome. I got to hold Drew about forty-five minutes as he gained consciousness. They can be so sweet before they get so busy!

Rian and I went to La Popular and picked up a gross of breakfast burritos. It is amazing what variety was evident. Then as everyone bathed and packed, readying for the traditional trek to San Angelo to their mother's house, Krl and became a little melancholy.

It is unbelievable how quiet it was when everyone was gone! The calm after the storm.

I can imagine what is going on in San Angelo, "Let's get ready to rumble!"

While it was fun I am glad it is over.

Father, thank YOU!