Anticipation!

As we got into bed last night Mike had a big smile on his face and he nearly skipped up to the bed.  I asked him why he was so excited and he said, "The kids are coming for Christmas!  We are going to have so much fun!"  Mike can be really funny but he is rarely giddy.  He is giddy these days. 

We did some Christmas stocking shopping yesterday which is the shopping we love best at Christmas.  And this year we have a new daughter-in-law, Lilly, who has never really experienced a family Christmas.  It is a wonderful thing when we get to add another stocking to the fireplace at the cabin!  I selected it really carefully which was a challenge because I don't know Lilly very well (she and Eric eloped this summer and they live in Kansas.)  But we are determined to show Lilly just what kind of nutjob family she has married in to!

The best part of Christmas for us (and probably for most empty nesters) is having all the kids together for just a little while.  We play board games, watch the same Christmas movies and usually go sledding.  This Christmas there may not be any snow so we will go on a Christmas picnic with a campfire and hotdogs and smores.  Eric and Lilly are coming home in just two weeks and we can't wait to see them!

Christmas preparations differ for Mike and I.  I buy decorations and get the kids new pajamas.  Mike buys tracer bullets!  He and the kids love to go out on a snowy night and shoot green and red tracer rounds into the snow.  Ahhh, the simple joys of a redneck Christmas!