This day will be one of my most favorite memories

This day is definitely going to be one of those days that remains a favorite memory forever.  I got to sleep really late, which is always a great start to the day.  I had some quiet time until the Ohio State game, and the Buckeyes finally broke the four game losing streak against that team up north.  It was a great game.  Catherine arrived home during the game after spending a couple of days with her boyfriend's family.  Not long after the game, Thomas and Lyndi arrived.  Thursday after they left our meal, Thomas had reached out and said that Lyndi wanted to help us put up the trees.  I was not about to turn down help!  And by doing it this evening, it meant that we were all going to be here to do it together.  Even without Thomas's ornaments, we did a pretty good job of filling both of the trees.  While we were decorating the trees, the predicted snow began to fall.  It was beautiful.

As if that wasn't enough, our evening continued.  Thomas and Lyndi decided it would be best to stay over because of the snow.  Our family decided to watch Christmas Vacation, but first we made a sweet family memorial toast.  Andrew's aunt in Vermont, whom we all adored, passed away in July.  Her drink of choice, somewhat comically, was Fireball.  For her funeral, they had small Fireball printed with her name on it, and Andrew's cousin sent us one (Andrew and his mom went to visit her in June, so they didn't return for the funeral).  Andrew poured us each a bit and we toasted to Aunt Mary Ann.  We even took a picture and sent it to Andrew's cousins.

I'm so grateful all of the kids are under our roof again.  Andrew is meeting his mom's neighbor for her return tomorrow.  My plan is to do lots and lots of laundry tomorrow, to enjoy the house that is fairly much put together, and to get ready for a what I hope will be a beautiful and lovely December to lead the Christmas season!  And I also plan to enjoy the memories we made over this break!