Christmas morning dawned bright and early today.  My parents were the first ones awake and got all of us out of bed, including Kyrsie.  My how things have changed from the years when we would be up at 4AM, begging them to let us open gifts.

Kyrsie opened gift after gift, hugging her Mom inbetween each of them.  Tre gummed at the paper, looking at us like we were all insane.  We opened our gifts to and from family, Mom and Dad got us a camp stove and lantern, which we plan on putting to major use this spring.

We ate a quick breakfast, cleaned up some, and got dressed to head to Tony's family to do Christmas with them.  By this point I was feeling like utter shit.  

I had a horrible fever, the chills, and just hurt all over, on top of congestion.  But, off we went to exchange gifts with his side of the family and spend time together.  My Mom and Dad inlaw got me the coolest lighthouse lamp.  On the base is a sculpture of the Cape Hatteras light.  The shade has different lighthouses on it in not much detail, until you turn the light on.  Then they light up and are just incredibly beautiful.  It is the neatest lighthouse lamp I have ever seen and as soon as I make room for it, it will be on my nightstand so I can look at it every night.

My sister-in-law got me makeup that glitters and sparkles, that will be put to use for New Year's Eve and that already has been put in a place of honor in my makeup bag.

The sweetest of all is that Timmy (the nephew) wanted to buy us all gifts.  He picked out sparkly shiny boxes, mines in the shape of an ornament, and put a box of chocolate in it.  He's such a cool little kid.  I have his present from last year, wrapped up and put away so nothing will happen to it.  

And then, I got even worse, if that's possible.  It got to the point that I could no longer remain awake.  I slept through dinner, sick as could be watched a movie or two, while in and out of a drugged, ill sleep, and we crashed at their house for the night.  

While, I would rather have not been sick, all in all, it has been a wonderful Christmas.  We got to see both sides of the family, spending time with each.  Now, next year, an illness free Christmas would be divine.
Smile, 
 Suzy Smith