It's all over, there isn't any more.
It's all over, but what's it over for?
Just when you think the party's started...
It's over, it's over, it's over.
--Squirrel Nut Zippers "It's Over"

What a whirlwind! The holidays were full of sugarplums and cookies, decorating and wrapping, shopping and parades, and Nutcracker, Nutcracker, Nutcracker. The Turmanators were incredibly busy, as you may have noticed by the dearth of blogging during December. Today's photos include the girls decorating cookies, posing for our Christmas card, playing with presents, India backstage at the Nutcracker with her friends, and Kate posing with a sooty kiss from Santa on her cheek.

This was the first year that both of the Short People really understood the magic of Christmas. There was much anticipation, first for our visit from Pops and Gigi (Tracy's parents) the weekend before Christmas, and then for traveling to Richmond to have Christmas with my family. The girls were thrilled to stay at Daden and Yoyo's house...once they were assured that they do have a fireplace and Santa will know how to find them. It was wonderful to have Clare and Derek there; they alternate between families and this year was ours.

As with most children, the excitement of Christmas was often accompanied by unadulterated mania. We found ourselves resorting to humming the refrain of "you better watch out, you better not cry..." more than once, ashamed to admit.
I also must admit that my recent lapse in blogging is also the reason for our trip to Richmond for the Holidays. My father has been diagnosed with both an ulcer and, much more seriously, an aortic aneurysm. Riding in the car for long periods is too painful so we decided to travel to him instead. He was scheduled to have surgery this week but it has been postponed for a month or two. I suppose I just didn't feel like writing about all holiday activities without mentioning what was on my mind the most. A recent follow-up has shown no growth in the aneurysm so I am feeling better about things. My father's health concerns have certainly been a reminder of how important it is to enjoy every minute of life and family. And isn't that also what the Holidays are all about?

25 days and Counting!

The snow is falling down
Up in some northern town
But a Carolina Christmas
Is still the best around
Wrap up your teddy bear
Hang your stockings up with care
It's a Carolina Christmas
Were chillin in our underwear
--"Carolina Christmas" the Squirrel Nut Zippers

Not quite in our underwear, really, just shorts, although I hear cooler temperatures are coming with some rain today. The 70+ degree weather is not dampering our holiday spirits, however. Decorations are out...not acutally UP, but out. Until our halls are decked the Short People are contenting themselves with CVS's singing and dancing santa with penguins. We've been so often that I'm concerned the employees may think I'm casing the store, but the girls dance right along and beg to hear them sing again and again. Thank god they don't know that monstrosity is for sale!We also kicked off the holiday season today by decorating a gingerbread house. I think this will be a new tradition for the Turmanators. This year I just used a kit since I barely have time to use the restroom and brush my teeth now, but maybe one year I will do the whole thing from scratch. The girls loved sampling the candies and helping set everything in place with glue made from SUGAR (they were truly amazed by this). Tonight we begin counting down the days 'til Christmas with our advent calendar. Also the ABC family network begins it's marathon of Christmas movies tonight, so those with children or who are young at heart...check it out.