Oh my goodness! I have been a very busy little elf these past few weeks. Between my job at the hospital, my job at the Loft and celebrating the holidays with my friends a family, I haven't had time to think, much less write. Work has been going well. Christmas at the mall wasn't nearly as crazy as I thought it would be. I attribute this to on-line shopping and the abnormally mild weather we've been experiencing. I am enjoying working at the store and helping clients find gifts for themselves and their family members. The strange thing is, I've run into several friends from high school while working there.

Breaking from tradition, I celebrated Christmas at my brother's house in Des Moines rather than at my parents' house this year. Christmas eve was lovely, full of fort building and story reading with my nephew, Nicholas. We read "Santa Mouse" and "The Night Before Christmas". We also got to watch "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". I'd forgotten how much the Abominable Snowman scares me. Even without his teeth. After the movie, Nick went to bed, but not before leaving Santa some cookies (on a Star Wars paper plate, mind you) and milk. Oh and a chunk of cheese for Santa Mouse. Later that night, Paul, Mom, Dad, Rachell and I went to 10:00 p.m. mass at Holy Trinity. It was a no fuss, no muss kind of mass. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

At 7:30 sharp the next morning, I awoke to shrieks of joy and Nick hurling himself onto the couch where I slept. Santa had come in the middle of the night and left a ridiculous amount of presents under the tree. We tried to stall Nick with his stocking and some smaller gifts before the grandparents arrived. Once we were all assembled, the madness began. There was a firefighter's costume, a veterinary kit, several Playmobile sets including another castle for Nick (he got one last year, along with a pirate ship), a Star Wars blaster, a mega fort to set up in the basement, several books and movies, a Hawkeye jersey (autographed by Kyle Schlicher, thank you Shea, Holly, and Kyle!), and the piece de resistance--an X-wing fighter complete with hanging moss, R2D2, and Luke Skywalker. All in all, Nick had a good Christmas.

The rest of us didn't do so badly either. Paul got an ipod and some clothes. He and Nick also received their traditional matching weaponry. Two years ago they got swords and shields. Last year it was lightsabers. This year--nerf guns. Rachel got bubble bath, a briefcase, a knitting kit, and gift certificates. Dad had made Paul and I CDs of the singles he and his sisters recorded in the 50s. Mom got a purse and some books, including one on the Saints (not the football team, though). Melissa and John Bulkley (my sister-in-law's parents) got a portable DVD player. I got my lovely Canon Powershot, a Kitchenaid hand mixer, and mixing bowls. I now have three sets of mixing bowls--a Martha Stewart set, a Betty Crocker set, and a William Sonoma set. I only accept mixing bowls if they have a proper name attached to them...We ate until we were full...and then we ate some more! There was chicken chili, bbq brisket, bread and crab dip, chips and guacamole, potato chips and chipotle dip, shrimp, cheesy egg bake, chicken cord en bleu, rice, cookies, almond bark candy, Corn Flake christmas wreaths, and three kinds of chocolate -- truffles, Ritter chocolate bars, and assorted Ghiradelli chocolates. It was delicious!

Paul, Rachel and I went to see Eragon on Christmas night. We were so wired from all of the chocolate that we decided to watch Pirates of the Carribbean 2 when we got home. In the past week I have seen four movies in the theater--FOUR! (The Pursuit of Happyness, The Holiday, The Queen, and finally Eragon) As they say, 'tis the season. And what a wonderful season this has been. I am amazed that we will ring in the new year on Monday. 2006 was a very strange year, and I am not sad to see it go. Hopefully 2007 will prove to be better for us all.

Seasons Best to all of you!