I CANNOT WAIT!!!

Oh yes, I am so excited for Christmas but I can’t wait until tomorrow night (Thursday) when we will have Katie & Anthony, Gabriel & Adrian in the house!! I hope I can sleep because I’ve got to be ready to roll once they walk in the door!!

I feel like last weekend was my kick-off for the last couple of weeks before Christmas. Our interactive White Christmas party with friends was definitely a hit and I think we’ve got a new tradition on our hands. There were some newbies to the movie which was shocking, but everyone was new to the interactive version…except for a few of us!

The remnants of the tornado were with us as the high winds brought on the chilly air, but we braved the weather outside around the fire pit and two amazing kerosene heaters. There were props (like popcorn instead of snow) and there were characters in costume. There was chili and soup and very cool hot chocolate/coffee bars with lots of extra treats to add to your beverage!

It was a terrific night and I couldn’t help but feel in the holiday spirit! I had been preparing for something every week it seemed like and now, I could start the preparation for our visitors.

With divorced parents, Katie has seemed to do really well in accommodating and making special time for both her Mom and Dad. We can gather as a group, but with the holidays and extended families, it makes things a little tricky. This year, Katie is here a little before Christmas, allowing Pappaw & Betty Boop to meet our newest family member. Greg will be in Pittsburgh for Christmas. I’m happy for both of us!

As part of this early visit, we will have our traditional Christmas Eve meal of McDonalds, and then we will open presents to and from all of us to/from Katie and crew. I have 16 gifts under the tree for them…remember they each get four gifts…something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read. I think Gabriel is going to be so excited to see the presents…honestly, I just can’t wait!!!

The house is ready with all of the sweet treats hidden so Gabriel won’t see any of those until later! He’ll be spoiled by CeCe, but we need to ease into the cookies and cheese balls!!

Katie sent me a video today of Gabriel going over the list of people he will see while he’s at “CeCe’s house” (my parents’ house of course!).

So, forgive me for the late post, and know that I may be a little busy these next few days! I’m off work after Thursday, until January 3! I CANNOT WAIT!!

Hoping to do some fun holiday things but most of all, having these two crazy kids under foot for a few days is just so much fun for me…Get ready, Pappaw & Betty Boop…this house is getting ready to rock & roll!!!

Hugs to all of you!!! Xoxoxoxo