Hope your Christmas was Merry and that your New Year is Happy!

I did not have a chance to post before Christmas so I wanted to pop in and say that I hope you had a good one. Ours was great! Allison loved opening her presents - and helping everyone else open theirs. We had Christmas morning together (Ernie, Allison, Nicholas, and me) and Christmas afternoon with Lisa, Scotty, and Chelsea. Then we went to Ernie's parents' for dinner and Christmas with his brother, his wife, and their two little ones. Now when it's time to go to his parents' house, Allison thinks we are going to open more presents. :)

Ernie and I had a nice gift exchange. He is very a thoughtful person. He gave me a scrapbooking calendar, snowman coasters, a new winter (snowman) sweater and an LSU quilted throw. The LSU throw was a big surprise because he and his family are Mississippi State Alumni. I don't know how long it will take him to tell his family that he bought something purple and gold! BUT, the bigger surprise was the pair of diamond solitaire earrings that were in my stocking. They are beautiful!

He received a new basketball goal (and ball, of course), some new shirts and a bucket from the Tabasco store with different Tabasco flavored snacks.

The kids' big gifts were a new kitchen for Allison (which she plays with constantly) and a new basketball goal for Nick. There were new books, new clothes, and new toys that were bestowed upon them by everyone. They have tried them all out and are enjoying their new treasures.

Lisa and I are excited that our Dad is coming in tomorrow for a visit. I haven't seen him since late July and Lisa hasn't seen him since Feb. or March. We are looking forward to spending some time with him.

One more thing - Happy 60th birthday Mom!! What joy you bring to us!