Christmas 2008

It is a wonderful Christmas morning in the Sampson home. We have Tiffany's family visiting with us. Janelle and her children arrived a few days ago. Her husband, Ed, flew in yesterday. Last night we had a fondue and gormet dinner, with a chocolate fountain as an extra treat for the kiddies (all 9 of them). Sydney gave a wonderful dinner prayer that made sure the "Guest of Honor" was a part of our Christmas festivities.

After dinner we gathered around the Christmas tree and read Luke 2. Then everyone opened one present from their secret Santa. I got Wii Carnival Games. Tiff scored with a copy of The Four Agreements and The Last Lecture. After that we listened to Christmas music, hung out, and made trips to the chocolate fountain again (and again and again). The younger kiddies tracked Santa's progress on the NORAD web site.

The Montenegro family came by with their two dozen kids (alright let's be fair, they only have one dozen kids, and one of them was adopted). They sang Christmas carols to us and hung around for a little while.

Ed and I took on Janelle and Tiff in Wii bowling. It is always a lot of fun when adults play video games.

As things settled down our children tucked into bed and Janelle's family gathered around the Christmas tree and read stories together before falling asleep in front of the tree (which meant Santa REALLY had to tip toe around to drop the gifts off). As they fell asleep I baked an apple pie so it could cool off in time to be enjoyed. Tiff and I stayed up till about 1:00 a.m. taking care of things before I about passed out from exhaustion.

We woke up this morning just before 7:00 a.m. and came down to open our presents. Everyone seemed to have a great time. When the gifts wer all unwrapped Tiffany started baking crepes for everyone. Daryl and I took off at about 9:45 a.m. to give my friend Gary his car back. Gary had loaned it to us while my truck had its fuel pump replaced. Daryl was just sick he had to follow me in the Porsche while I drove Gary's Pathfinder back to his house.

It is coming up on noon right now and everyone is taking turns playing Wii, X-Box, and snacking. I am hoping someone will join me for a run sometime today. It is a little overcast so I may choose to hit the gym instead. All in all it has been a wonderful Christmas 2008.