Merry Christmas

Like I said in my earlier post the McCallisters were home for Christmas this year the very first time in 8 years. Our Christmas Eve was full of events that Ray planned. He didn't want to tell me but due to all the rain he wasn't sure if we were still able to enjoy his plan of a date. So Sunday on our ride home from my brothers he told me he wanted to take me ice skating in Columbia. He was worried that all the rain and high temperatures that we wouldn't be able to skate. He waited till Christmas Eve to look it up and found that it was okay to skate on and the nice weather didn't hurt it a bit.

So Christmas Eve came and I was pumped! Going ice skating in 50 degree weather in the south. Being that our family back at home had a big ice storm and many of them didn't have power seemed strange that we were out looking for ice and they had in it there in their yards. We arrived at the rink just after lunch time.

The rink wasn't too large but big enough to have fun. There were lots of younger kids trying to skate they would fall. Being that the rink was on the smaller end you would have to dodge them without falling yourself. During skating each of the kids and families would take breaks at different times so it wasn't as crowded. Each of us hadn't been skating in so long, I thought I was going to fall thankfully I didn't, it was like riding a bike once you tried it once you don't forget it. We stayed and ice skated for at least an hour and half then it was time to get a late dinner at Taco Bell before going to our first Christmas Eve service at home.

Our church had three different Christmas Eve Services, 11am, 5pm or 7pm. Since we were out early enough we decided to go to the 5pm service. We arrived early enough to find a good seat up top in the balacony to ensure we would be able to see everything. The service was beautiful with the choir singing Christmas songs and it brought you into the Christmas spirit if you weren't there already. At the end of the service we did communion then each of us got a white candle, the ushers went to each row lighting the candles, then the house lights went dim and all you could see were the lighted candles. It was truly amazing and very special for the Christmas season.

Our attempt to get a picture with the cats

Christmas morning came before we knew it, it was different than our usual Christmas's with family but it was special to the both of us too. I was the first to get up trying to be quiet so Ray could get so rest. Shortly after Ray awoke in time to cook breakfast. I know your thinking I could of made it but Ray really enjoys cooking for me since I do the housework, and hes a good cook too. He made omelets with peppers, mushrooms, cheese, hash browns and bacon. It was the hearty breakfast we needed to open our presents!

Ray began opening his presents first. He opened his presents from Milo and Oscar first which were new white T-shirts (a man can never have enough), black socks and miniatures from his wife that he can paint in his spare time. He thought it was funny they were from the cats. Next was my turn to open, I opened a Detroit Tigers T-shirt (which I loved) our blender (Jan got us) and then opened a new suitcase . I had been wanting a new one due to mine not closing properly and Ray out did himself with the giraffe pattern. I love giraffes and I'm looking forward to traveling now with my fashionable luggage! We had such a relaxing day and hope all our friends and family had a Merry Christmas too!

Ray's White T-Shirts

 Ray's Black Socks

Even though we were without family this Christmas it didn't seem that way when we got to Skype with Jan, Marie, Shawn, Asher and Addie. It was also nice to talk to the Grienke family especially the kids. They are growing up so fast you can even tell through the phone call, it was nice to hear what they are up to and to hear through our conversation that they still love and miss their one and only Aunt Bubba. My last phone call was with my niece Ashley, even though she is grown up too I still feel connected to her and love talking to her and hearing about her life. It made our Christmas to be able to talk to our family it felt like y'all were here with us. We hope y'all had a good Christmas and can't wait to see y'all soon! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the McCallister's!