whew... it's cold out there!!!

I love winter. The snow is so pretty and all the little kids are so excited. They are all bundled up with their little noses poking out and red...everyone is so happy and cheerful. We celebrate our Savior's birth... I don't know if I told you but we have decided to not celebrate Christmas in the usual fashion this year. Our wole family from both sides is going to the Great Wolf Lodge for a family reunion. There will not be a present exchange, So my husband and I decided not to put up a christmas tree, and after discussing it with everyone, we voted presents out at home as well. but last night in the middle of the night, my 9 year old daughter went into the attic and got out all the decorations and she and her friend Jane set up a christmas tree in her bedroom and hung lights allover her room. When I went up there this morning boy was I surprised. Do you think we had a mis-communication?? To add to the merriment, My family and I went to North Bend and rode the Santa Train =) We sail each summer with our friend, Tim who was a doctor in South Africa, The Netherlands, England, Newfoundland, Nebraska and Washington. He is retired and we have a lot of fun together, sailing and hiking and going to the beach and museums. Well, he lives on lake Union, next to an author who invites us to ride the Santa Train each December. When we get together we sing Christmas carols, and drink cocoa and talk to santa and snack on cookies and catch up on all the news since we saw each other last. What a day, it is so nice to spend time with friends and family. After we got home, my husband and I decided that next weekend we will put up a tree in the front room so Gracie doesn't have to do it alone in her bedroom...