An ode to things that make me happy at Christmas

Thank you portable DVD player-- for saving our daughter and us during 3 days and 20 hours of driving. In your glowing blue screen we found solace, sanity...and Elmo.

Thank you M&M company-- thank you for making mint, pretzel, and peanut butter M&Ms. You made our trip merry and sweet.

Thank you anonymous rich guy in a black escalade for driving me home when I stopped to ask for directions after I got myself helplessly lost when I went running yesterday. Not only was your lawn impeccably decorated with millions of lights, but you truly embodied the spirit of Christmas by helping out a poor soul without a sense of direction. Thank you also for not kidnapping me when I got into your car.

Thank you Oreos for making it so easy to make Christmas candy.

Thank you Christian congregations everywhere for holding Christmas Eve services that welcome everyone to come and participate in honoring the birth of the savior.

Thank you Roosters, for supplying at least one food challenge that still makes my husband sweat.

Thank you, my body, for remembering how to run. I know it has been awhile.

Thank you, sun, for coming out today. Stars, kudos to you as well for shining so bright tonight. You couldn't have timed it more perfectly.

Thank you metabolism for putting up with all the extra holiday treats I have been consuming. I know I make you work really hard this time of year.

Thank you Christmas music. You never get old and you never fail to inspire.

Thank you family and friends for making us feel so loved this holiday season. For showing us how truly blessed we are. For making this the best Christmas ever.

Christmas card time!

Hey everyone, it is that time of the year again-- when I go back to the address list we used for our wedding to try to put together some kind of Christmas list for cards (our friend Kaela put together this beauty for us last year).

However, if any of you have changed your address since the spring of 2007, or if I have met you since then, please let me know your current address, whether it be couch, tent, or yacht.

So if you want this year's card (and who wouldn't....really?), let me know, and leave me a way to send it to you.

SANTA!!! I kissed SANTA

Yes, I have a confession to make....I am Mrs. Clause!

Richard was asked to play Santa at our ward Christmas party. Everyone raved he was the best Santa ever. And of course, after an hour and a half of kids approaching him throughout the night, he had some great stories to tell.
Hopefully, Anna is not thinking "I can't believe mom is cheating on Dad!"

Probably the only costume in the world that is made to be worn by large, strapping man like Richard...all except the boots which are black leather covers to be worn over your shoes. If you look closely, you will realize that no make-believe boot was meant to cover size 14 feet. Richard resorted to wearing black socks with the boot covers just sitting on top of his feet. Hopefully, no one was looking down!
Richard had never been a kid or baby person until we had Anna. He loved playing Santa though and after the night was over just kept saying "those kids are so stinkin' cute!" Some of the more precocious children followed him around quizzing him on the names of the reindeer, the names of the elves, who was the shortest elf and what his height was (Apparently a elf named Jake at 2 feet 7 inches tall). Luckily, Richard studied the afternoon before and had answers ready to all their questions.
The most touching moment came from an autistic boy in the ward. It took him about 15-20 minutes to come up to Santa. He kept inching ever closer, keeping watch for his parents nearby. He really wanted to talk to Santa but I could tell it was very hard for him. Richard just spoke to him softly, never pressuring him to sit on his knee, and finally, when this boy came close enough to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas, this is what he said:

"Mr. Santa Clause, my grandpa died a little while ago, and I really miss him, so when you go back to the North Pole and when you get to heaven, could you just tell him Hello for me and that I love him. I really miss my Grandpa."

Richard just told him "I will do that!"
The highlight of the evening was probably when Anna sat on Santa's lap. I don't know whether she was fooled because as soon as Richard had ahold of her, she grabbed his beard in a vice grip and wouldn't let go.

Afterword: The next day was Sunday. After Sacrament meeting one of the mothers in the ward came up to Richard and told him good-naturedly that he had apparently promised her 6-year old a baby chiuwawa.

Lets hope that next Christmas there is a repeat performance!