The Chronicles of Tater

The Joy of Christmas

Remember when we were kids and it seemed that Christmas took FOREVER to come?  With the time between Thanksgiving and that wonderfully magical morning being excrutiating painful as we were keenly aware that Santa was watching our every move and hoping that our letters were delivered on time.  (Even as kids we were skeptics of the postal service.  Wise beyond our years, some would say.) 

Now as a parent, it seems that Christmas is a double-edged holiday.  It is yet another marker of a year gone-by as I sit and pour over pictures and remember how much Tater has changed.  I marvel at her accomplishments and how much she has grown physically, emotionally, and psychologically.  But alas, it has all passed too quickly.  She was only an infant just a few short months ago and now she is in full bloom toddlerhood.  I shudder to think of next Christmas when she will be on the cusp of little girldom.  {{sniffle}}

Christmas is not only a time to reminisce about times past and lament at the pace of the passage of time, but it is also a guaranteed family gathering time.  Oh how I love having family around!  This is the second year that we have hosted Christmas dinner for our family, a tradition we hope to continue in years to come as it brings almost all of our family together.  This year we were blessed to have a very special person in our family join our celebration, my Grandmother Chloe, known as Grandma to all who love her including Tater.  She doesn't travel often from her home in Virginia but this year she has been staying with my Mom and Dad for the winter months enabling her to join the Christmas festivities.  Needless to say, it was wonderful having her and the rest of the family; my Mom and Dad, George's Mom Linda, George's Dad W.E. and Marvin all gather together. 

The menu, prepared by my wonderful husband, was spectacular consisting of yellow squash casserole, sweet potato casserole, layered salad, deviled eggs, freshly baked yeast rolls, and the shining star -- a honey-glazed spiral cut ham.  Well it was the star until W.E. brought out a gorgeous and mighty tasty from scratch triple layered carrot cake with homemade cream cheese icing which paired deliciously with the Biltmore Christmas wine. 

After such a savory meal and good cheer, we all set about opening presents with glee but none with such tenaciousness as little Tater.  She has come to the realization that presents are good indeed.  She is a true girl as clothes did not get tossed over the shoulder but instead modeled with glee.

 But much to her surprise, what did Santa bring?  HER VERY OWN SWING!

We have a lot to be grateful for this year: our family, our friends, our health, our home, and our good fortune.  As we look to the new year, a year of transition, there are many questions to be answered and decisions to be made.  Change is inevitable but our appreciation for our family will never waiver.

From Christmas past: