I intentionally planned little to do over this holiday break, and it was great not to squander my free time on running around ticking stuff off my "to do" list.

Christmas eve was spent at Sandy's for brunch. It was a small gathering (us, Marsha, dad, Sandy, and Eric), but all the more relaxing. We then had turkey dinner followed by a couple vs. couple game of pictionary with dad and Marsha at their house and spent the evening there too. Naomi hoped to watch the Mr. Hanky Southpark Christmas episode again, but there was a Wizard of Oz in Canada episode instead.

Christmas day Terri and Al, Anne and Jim with Amie, and Joe and Betty came over for brunch. It was fun to watch little Amie open all her presents and then go a see Sango and Homer in the garage. The dogs were very good around her, except that Sango pulled too hard on the tug-o-war ring and scared Amie her to tears.

I bought one present this year, and that was just right. It was wonderful to not have the stress of gift purchasing ruining the holiday. Besides, the only people who really need any presents are kids and poor. The rest of us, I venture, would just as soon buy our things given the abundance and relative low cost of things these days.

On the 27th Jon and I drove up to Crystal Mountain, picking up Matt on the way. A long drive, but the skiing was worth it.