"So this is Christmas..."
Can you hear me singing the words?
Saturday, the clock struck early.
Trimmings, stuffing, peeling potatoes, washing vegetables, preparing salads....
"Oh my, it looks like someone is late."
I reminded them to check their google calenders as requested.
Weeks of preparation, baking and wrapping....for this one special day.
Place cards laid on the table....keeps things less complicated.
"No, I want to sit with Tara"
Dessert trays...
"I'm full Mom, can we eat those tomorrow?"
Supper is gobbled down in 30 minutes flat!
I'm not even sure that John got to sit down.
"When do we open presents Oma?' echoed the voices of young and old?

And guess who enjoys opening her gifts?
7:00 pm Everyone is waiting....for skype time with Mikki and Joe...
Three technicians and we can't hook skype up to the big screen?
Hours later we visit with loved ones from afar.
Mom comes to the rescue with her Ipad
Ivy shows her excitement as she recognizes her aunt and uncle.
" Hey, someone didn't get a gift."
We all pulled names..
Did someone not read correctly...?
Iphones were quickly drawn checking their latest emails.
Ooops!... there seems to be some confusion.
"Mom, I did not receive your package!"
Oh my...next year I'll send the gifts in summer.
I tracked the gifts this morning.
"Oh yes," Madame, "priority 2-day service"
Seems like things got lost in the mail.
And Ivy looks on with awe and wonder.
The Christmas Story is read by the boys while waiting to open the large black gift.
The 'large black gift" will be postponed to next week.
And the front page cover from the Calender is revealed...
They argued....
they all thought they deserved the front cover.
Guess who won?
IVY
She was spotted on every page.
"And so this WAS Christmas....
I hope you have fun!
The near and the dear one...
The young and the old..."