So far the Holiday season has been perfectly unique just like every Christmas. I always am struck by how each year is so different from the others that preceded it. And because of that, the commonalities that hold them all together mean a lot.

Differences vs. common threads:

• listening to Christmas music is not very important to my girls (what is this?!) vs. We have listened to all our favorites at least once.
• The kids put up fewer tree ornaments than they ever have vs. Garyn was here for decorating the tree and the donuts that accompany decorating. I got all the necessary pictures of all my monkeys doing Christmas things.
• Harry Potter Advent Calendar vs. Still counting down the days on our star tree, the chalk board, the normal calendar, and school.
• no one played night games at our annual hot chocolate party (it was frigid) and we had more kids than we’ve ever had, including 4 friends from school vs. there was the usual warm and friendly chaos as 22 teens descended on the hot chocolate bar and the adults chatted happily over the din. It was probably our last one and I loved every second.
• I headed up the Christmas Shop at our ward and I learned from previous years…gift bags make the magic more real for everyone. We also got a picture with Santa (don’t remember the last time we were all in a picture with Santa) vs. Good food and good people (people 18 and younger are my favorite) make the ward Christmas event a huge season highlight, as always.

So much festive yet to come. For example,

• Picking up the boy from the airport vs. all my babies here in new pajamams on Christmas Eve.

Differences between the years keeps life spicy and the constants keep life feeling like home.