Wow~ Christmas has come and gone

Well, another Christmas is officially over- well, with exception of leftovers that have to be transformed into other mystery dishes, putting away all of the boxes/bags, etc., and all the decorations- both inside and out. A turkey casserole is on tonight's menu, and later a ham/mac'n cheese dish will make an appearance, followed, at some point, by navy beans with ham. :)

I always get a little melancholy when I take it all down because everything looks so drab after having lived with all of the colorful decor for a month or more. Not to mention the inevitably cold weather that will follow for the next ten, or more, weeks.  I am definitely NOT a fan of the cold, bone chilling weather.

I received a new camera, and though I found I missed many photo opportunities during the two nights of celebrating Christmas, I also have yet to learn all the ins and outs of this camera. I also received a new wireless printer, and a badly needed (okay- desired) shredder. I went out and purchased a cordless phone for the living room so I would not be held hostage to my desk when someone calls anymore, oh, and lest I forget, there will be no more fighting with the curled up cord that keeps you fighting with it, or six inches from the base because you can't unravel it before someone hangs up.

Family drama, thankfully, was at a minimum this year. We have all learned to ignore the culprits of most of the drama for the most part, and fatigue crept in and made some of us a little cranky by the end of the night, but it was reasonably held at bay. Sleep was a welcome friend for many of us.

Madison, though basically oblivious to the events of the two days and nights, was not feeling as happy a little camper - probably a combination of over stimulation, fatigue, teething, hunger, and the ever annoying constipation. Bless her little heart.  London, on the other hand, was full of energy, witty comments (as only a 2-3 yr. old can do), and enjoyed her surroundings immensely.

So, there are only a few pictures to share at this point. I had wanted to get a group picture of the 7 of us, but it never came to fruition. I was blessed with a photo of my own two children. An event that has not happened since the youngest of the two was about 14.  So it was nice that they took the time to do that for me. I can't wait to make a larger copy as well. :)

this has to  be my favorite..lol...all those cute little Christmas outfits- but so darned cute just playing wiht her toes. LOL.

So, for now, I am removing the Christmas items slowly but surely, leaving a few "winter" items, so that it is not a totally shock to the system, and the tree will come down after the new year celebration. Though generally not much celebrating occurs on this end of it. More like hunkering down in the house and sleeping only to be awakened by some nut shooting off a gun or fireworks at the midnight tolling.