Merry Christmas Monkey!

This Christmas was one of those Christmases we got to go to my family's for the holidays this year and I loved it because it means it's cold, it snows, there's more family around, and its just more festive. Plus the fact that Christmas is my favorite time of year.It's my favorite holiday.Not because of the presents,although they don't hurt. ;) It's just the overall atmosphere- the dressed up table, and the tree, and the decorations, and the Christmas music, and the entertaining, and the lightheartedness of the moods that change in people this time of year.They all become so nice and/ or nicER. Its like why can't they be like this ALL the time? I just love this time of year.and I LOVE love being around my family.Then there's the food.OH! Maybe it's because my dad is SUCH an awesome cook and my Mom is such an awesome baker that the two of them combined should have gone into business together and become something? I donno. The food is just heavenly. I love whatever comes out of their creations. Except lima beans BLECH! and -and mustard & saurkraut- I know I know- what kind of German am I that doesnt like those things? I got faulty taste buds what can I tell ya? Everything else I loved! Anyway, We had a beautiful white Christmas at Dads house with Mom, Dad, me, Tom, Doug and Thomas. Thomas TOTALLY made out by Santa with Dinosaurs, and Tonka trucks, a handmade puzzle stool ,matchbox cars like crazy, and a Geo Trax train set- the boy MADE OUT! I think after a while he got tired of opening presents if thats at all possible! He just wanted to play! But the toys kept comin! Next year I think we'll cut it back a bit - {yeah right -we'll see when that happens next year..!} He's worth every penny though- he's a good kid. He was a good boy this year- minded his manners did what he was told.- he deserved it. Merry Christmas Monkey. We Love you!