Glad it is over.

Well, the holidays are officialy over. Today the tree comes down. I don't even know where to start. Christmas Eve the kids and I loaded up the truck and drove to Hutchinson to see their Dad's side of the family. As always the kids seriously out number all the attending adults. It is so much fun to see how big all the children have gotten over the span of a year. Naturaly I made a pig of myself on Karen's sugar cookies. They are the best in the world. She claims to do nothing different then anyone else but I and I alone know the secret. She puts love into it. Yep, Mike maintains that is the key ingrediant to all good food. He says that is why his cooking is so tasty. I concur. A year without her sugar cookies would be like a year without Santa Clause. Thank you Karen!
We had the traditional Whit Elephant gift exchange. That is the most fun I think. Lucky me, I got a turkey beenie baby. Woo Hoo. How funny, for real. somone else got a nicely wrapped deposit slip. Lol. Now, that was creative and funny! The "Real" gift exchange is nice, but the White Elephant is what I look forward to every year. I wish you could hear all the voices and laughter going on during the exchange. It does the heart good to hear all your family at once and have to sit elbows to elbows. It makes you realize just what really is important.
The next morning, we got up early and made breakfast burritos and took them to my Mom. We spent several hours entertaining her. I always worry this will be my last holiday with my Mom. Her health is poor, but she keeps plugging along somehow.
By the time we got back to the house Mike's kids and their kids showed up for breakfast. More burritos. It was really nice to have all the grandkids there at once. If you had told me 3 years ago I would be Grandma to 7 kids I would have fainted right there. I really love those kids. JoJo especially liked her gift. Well, Stacey liked the hoodie we got her also. So, it was a very nice time with the kids.
When the Willm's cleared out we once again loaded up the pickup, but this time we headed to Medicine Lodge to see Pop's. I truly enjoy my time in Medicine. Pop's is a wonderful host and I get so relaxed every visit. That night several of his cousins came by to visit and eat finger foods. Once again, what a nice time. The food was awsome, the company was super, and we all felt very cozy and happy.
The next day, which would be the day after Christmas, Justin and Stacey and Nox came to share Christmas Dinner with us. Wow! We had prime rib, sprial cut ham and all the fixins. Dan is a superb cook, I know wher Mike gets his talent from that is for sure. Stacey had never met Dan so it was fun to watch them get to know eachother. At one point Stacey looks at Dan and says "So Dan, tell me, how old was Mike when you figured out he had Down's Syndrome"? Oh my stars, we all fell out howling with laughter.
The four of us then went to visit several different family friends and introduce Stacey to them. If you have never been to the sticks, you have to understand, they have nothing to do. consequently, they drink, and they drink a lot. Every place we went we were given Wild Turkey 101. We were buzzing by the time we arrived back at Dan's house. Well, Dan decides to break out the Christmas Cheer as well and got the homemade wine out. Oh, oh, oh. I was really fine until this point. You always hear about how the last drink "sent you over the edge". This didn't send me over, it picked me up and threw me over the edge.
We made it back home Sunday afternoon. Up to this point I had had one of the best holidays ever. Then comes New Years. Now, you have to understand, I had to work New Years so I got up at 5 in the morning. O.k. I went to bed at 5 in the morning as well. I will never drink again. We had several friends over and we grilled t-bone steaks on the grill. It was so much fun. One thing is for sure, Mike and I have so much fun together. So, now we look forward to the next year together. We are both very excited about our impending nuputals and the prospect of just being together. I really couldn't ask for a better life. So, Cheers to all of you! Happy New Year.