Once again, Mom, Dad and I went to Wes and Kim's home for Christmas – this year, they’re living in Wisconsin. We were greeted with 32 below temperatures and more snow then I have ever seen. Fortunately, a “heat wave” came through so it wasn’t that cold all week. But Wisconsin’s heat wave is considered a major cold front in Las Vegas so it’s all a matter of perspective.
The week was full of laughter, great food and a lot of time indoors. Here’s a summary of my five favorite moments:
Moment 1
I was assigned to sleep in Tye’s room in the basement. When I arrived, Tye guided me to my “room” where I would be staying. I found this sign on the door.
Apparently, I needed a “pas wood” to get in. After reading him the code (fortunately, it was on the paper), he opened the door to reveal my accommodations. What was supposed to be my room for the week was actually the unfinished closet under the stairs where Tye had made me my very own bed. In the words of Taylor, "him's a stinker."
Moment 2
Tate is quite the tease. I was determined to clean up the house and he was equally determined to stop me. The result – he punched me and I whacked him with a pillow. I then told him that he should never hit his aunt. I asked him if he’d ever seen me hit Aunt DelRae or Aunt Marie. He sat there for a minute and then said, “Can you imagine? That would be hilarious.” He started laughing hysterically and acting out the scenario.
Moment 3
Taylor locked me in her room to play school. I practiced my reading while she wrote in her pink Hello Kitty notebook with a pencil. I looked at her work and said, “Taylor, you’re such a good writer.” Her response: “I am not riding right now. I am not even on a horse silly.” This make-up loving princess is undoubtedly a cow girl at heart. Wes was so proud.
Moment 4
Taylor was “starving” and “needed” a peanut butter and honey sandwich so I made her one. She took it down to the basement to eat where she could watch the boys play games on their new Wii. A few minutes later, the door to the basement opened and she said, “Tarry, my sandwich is leaking.” I cleaned it (and her) up and she finished her sandwich at the table. A few minutes later, my dad opened the basement door and exclaimed “Yoll! Someone’s lunch is all over that doorknob.” I couldn’t stop laughing.
Moment 5
We took the kids to go see Santa at the mall. When Santa asked Tate what he wanted for Christmas he said a husband for his aunt. I REALLY hope he gets his wish!
Other favorite moments included listening to Taylor laugh as she rode the sled down the hill, laughing at Tye as he slipped on ice walking into the ice-cream store and then slipping myself, watching Tye and Tate waddle into school in their full snow suits (bibs, boots, hats and gloves), and seeing Dad’s face when I sat on a whoopee cushion – one of my novel Christmas presents to the kids. He thought I actually made that sound with my body and he looked at me in pure disgust. It was fabulous.
For the past several years, we’ve traveled to Wes and Kim’s house for Christmas. Sometimes I do so slightly begrudgingly as I have always enjoyed being home. This year I realized it’s not where you’re at, it’s who you’re with. And there isn’t anyone I would rather spend Christmas with then my dear, loud, crazy family.
My heart aches for my Father – the last living member of his family. I was asked to tell him about Grandma’s passing, a burden I did not want to bear. Fortunately, he has a clear understanding of the Plan of Salvation and the reality of eternal families. He is taking it much better than his very emotional daughter. 
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