'Twas the night before...

I LOVE Christmas Eve!  The anticipation, the magic, the excitement...it cannot be matched.  I often wonder if I look forward to the Eve of Christmas more than the actual Holiday.  I practically jumped out of bed this morning and have been singing and dancing ever since...even when disciplining my wee sugar plum fairies (who, it seems, sometimes act in a way to diminish my Christmas spirit - they shall not succeed!).  My home is filled with Christmas music, movies, it smells of pine and cinnamon...

Where did December go?  Can I ask?  This month always goes too fast and I think most of us are left scrambling to get everything done in time.  Did I make enough cookies?  Did I wrap everything?  Did I decorate everywhere?  Did we sing carols?  The other day I went out to run some last minute errands with my Mom and Jess...and the baby boys.  It was quite the adventure!  The day was a complete white-out.  It was snowing so hard and it snowed ALL DAY.  I snapped many pictures because, while treacherous, it was SO beautiful!

This park by house is filled with huge trees.  I love when all the branches are covered in snow, it's so pretty...

The road up to my parents house...

Christmas lights at dusk during a snowstorm?  Is anything more beautiful?

We drove carefully from stop to stop and completed our errands late that afternoon.  I came home and started dinner, dreading the 8 inches of snow I would have to shovel once the boys were in bed.  Ah, not so!  

For my Knight in Shining Armor (also known as my Father-in-law who is solid gold) came to my rescue on his snowplow 4-wheeler.  Cache put on his coat and gloves and ran outside to help Grandpa clear the snow.   After the walks were clear, Gary gave Cache some coins and said, "Put these in a safe place and when it's Summertime, we'll go get a Coke."

My excitement for today and tomorrow is obvious, but I am also feeling so blessed and lucky at this time of year. I have a delightful, beautiful family whom I love so very much.  A husband who is my heart and my match in every way.  A warm home, brothers and sisters who are my best friends - friends!  I have the greatest friends in the world, hands down.  I am grateful for the true meaning of this wonderful season, of the love of a Savior who we celebrate on this most sacred of Holidays.  I am so humbled.  I love the Gospel with all my heart, I am truly grateful.

I hope you have the Merriest of Christmases!  From our 'Jolley Holiday' to yours!