Yes, I'm still here.

Christmas was good. It was very good. This was the first time in 6 years my entire family has been together for Christmas. The first time in 6 years we'd been to my parents' house for Christmas. It had been far too long.

We celebrated early with the FarmHands letting them open their presents on the 23rd. Since we were leaving the 24th, that gave them a full day to play with their new treasures before we had to head south.

Between us, their grandparents, aunts & uncles, and Art, the FarmHands made quite a haul. Movies, Bakugan, Transformers, scrapbooking supplies, bead supplies, clothes, baby dolls, blocks, Leapsters, books, art supplies....they were all there in some form. I wondered if we'd ever get it all packed back up.

We spent a good deal of time hanging out in "Grammy's Garage House." Technically it is a garage, but in reality it's my mom's new family room. HT's play house is in there along with some floor rugs and enough chairs for us all to lounge around while the kids & Lilly May ran wild. The FarmHands loved it. #1 Son asked when the next holiday was so he could come back.

Daddy & Husband made a run to the Bass Pro Shop in Nashville on Saturday. Husband had never been & Daddy looks for any excuse to go. They brought QM, Princess, and me chocolate covered strawberries that were fabulous!

Saturday night, the Queen Mother baby sat all 5 grandkids while Bubba, Beck, Princess, Axl, Daddy, Art, Did, Mr.S (Did's husband), Husband, and I went to see Sherlock Holmes. Some of us thoroughly enjoyed it, others thought it could have waited for DVD. Regardless, it was fun & nice to get out without the kids for a few hours.

Sunday we came home to unload & attempt to find places for all the new goodies to live. The kids are loving their vacation. I'm loving having Husband home all week. Tomorrow we're thinking about taking them to see the new Alvin & the Chipmunks movie....the excitement may never end!

I hope your Christmas was as merry as mine.