The eggnog is empty, the wrapping paper is <strike>in the garbage</strike> in a box ready to be moved to the garbage, and my brain and body are tired from traveling.

My Christmas started on Saturday morning as Mandi and I traveled north to Chippewa Falls to see my family. We ate, sang, played games, continued our traditions (reading Night Before Christmas enthusiastically, letting the Christmas Spirit in through the front door), and of course – opened presents!

On Sunday, we started our drive through the Wisconsin blizzard back to Madison.  The 3-hour trek took us over 6!  Just south of Tomah, the roads were glare-ice and there were cars in the ditch every few feet.  We considered getting a hotel, but figured if we just kept it at 20mph or so, we’d be fine.  And we were.  :)

Monday (Christmas eve) we were on to Mandi’s Mom’s house.  Her brother and sister-in-law were already there.  We all have a great time sitting around and talking.  The food was great and I convinced everyone to start opening presents early.  My future mother-in-law is a great gift-giver!  And no, I’m not just saying that because she’s reading.  :)   We stayed the night, got up late and had breakfast, and then stopped by my Dad’s for a couple hours before finally heading home.  I took a 2-hour nap almost immediately.

I realized something exciting over the weekend though.  Christmas with both of our families was SO much fun… we just enjoy each other so much and look forward to so many more years of doing this…  We both love traditions – old and new – and can’t wait to carry on the ones we know, and start new ones of our own.  I think we’re both excited for our kids to be raised in such a loving, fun, and stable environment.   Someday.  Soon.  Maybe.  :P

We got our first two Christmas ornaments together.  They’re beautiful and we put them on the tree as soon as we got home.  We still have another Christmas day at my Dad’s in 2 weeks, but for now we get to relax a little and then refocus on the wedding plans.

For 2008, I’m not making any resolutions except to keep developing skills – both work related and emotional -  that will bring love and success into my life.  I’ve done well over the last year and can’t wait to see what 2008 holds for me personally, as well as my family and soon-to-be family-in-law!

Merry Christmas.