Christmas and the Afterglow

Makenna, or "Big Mak" as Mario calls her, was right at home with her cousins. She is pulling up to things and a curious one. We enjoyed having her with us for 3 days.

A Christmas Concert at the Camacho house on Christmas Eve Eve.

Santa came to the Eilerings and the kids sang a few tunes for him and Mrs. Claus. My favorite part of the evening.

Our hosts, always full of Christmas cheer. They know how to put it together, and we are fortunate to experience such JOY on Christmas Eve.

Mario and I finished our Christmas celebration with noon dinner at Mary Stella and Bill's on Christmas Day. Mom came too in her warm fur coat. We appreciate the cooking they do every year, and the company as well.

I can't take credit for the "afterglow" word. But it is fitting for what I have been feeling the last couple of days. Go, then rest. Go, then rest. My physical body is weak in the middle. But the rest of me is great!

I have put away "The Night Before Christmas" decor, as well as some of the Santas. On a day after Christmas shopping trip, I found a few new things to replace some decorations I have had for 30 years. I found places for the new things and am packing up some of the old ones to move on to other households somewhere. I have listened to the IL DIVO Christmas CD on and off for the past 2 days. It is beautiful. Interesting that right in the middle of their Christmas singing comes "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Love it.

I am going to Springfield tomorrow, so I will post a couple of Christmas photos now and tell the story and post the rest in the coming days. Feliz Navidad :o)

Hopefully this Christmas brought us all renewed hope and more joy than we know what to do with!