We had ribbons, tags, packages, boxes and bags, but what we didn’t have was family and we missed each of you a little more dearly this year. Maybe because the children are older and know who all the missing folks were, maybe it was because Aunt Megan who is usually here wasn’t or maybe it was just because 2008 has been such a strange year and our thoughts are with all those who are struggling.

Christmas was wonderful. The children were “spoilt rotten” with all their gifts (thank yous are on the way). This was the first year Sofia caught onto the fact that all the really good gifts come in huge pacakages. She saved anything that looked like a book for last. She would shake them and roll them over and try to pick out the best presents first. She was fooled a couple of times, but for the most part she picked the best gifts first.

I remember one particular Christmas when one of the boys (Nathan?) wrapped his sibling gift inside a dozen boxes and put a phone book in the box to throw everyone off as to what was actually inside. I think we’ll be taking similar measures next year.

CJ is still in the awe and wonder stage. Every present is the best present ever (at least until the next thing is opened) and he was as delighted by his Little Einsteins toy as by a pair of gloves.

We’ve been treating ourselves to a staycation since we didn’t go anywhere and don’t have a trip to Disney to look forward to (like last year). So we’ve been to the movies twice and I bought tickets to our local theater group’s production of Suessical. We even went out to lunch yesterday (THANKS AMY) at Olive Garden and not only were the children well-behaved, but they ate everything they ordered.

Charlie leaves for his annual ski trip on Thursday, so we’ll be holed up while he’s gone. We really do miss you all madly. I’ve put more photos up on the flickr site. Just click the thumbnails in  the upper right corner.