It is Christmas Eve and sunny and warm in Beaumont. It is going to be in the 70's for the rest of our stay here. We are back into shorts and packing the heater away. It was very cold here for a few days.

Laurie and I are having as much time together as possible. We have been shopping a couple of times. There won't be many sales here after Xmas as the Seasonal stuff just flew off of the shelves here in a two week period. It must have something to do with the hurricane. Either everyone got more money then they really needed or it is a comfort thing. Who knows. Laurie said one week Micheals had 9 aisles of Xmas stuff and the next week it reduced to one. Now they have virtually nothing left and they are putting the Valentines stuff out. Last year in January I got great deals on Xmas kits.

I have made a batch of Nuts and Bolts for the Taylors and this afternoon I am making Gingerbread Men with Russell, Laurie's six year old. We made the dough yesterday. I was covered in flour by the time Russell had it all stirred. HA. We will see how we do today. We are going to watch the movie Polar Express this evening with the kids while we snack on casseroles, finger food and Banana Pudding. Yum.

Tomorrow we will be up early as Russell still believes in Santa Claus and is very excited. He has decided that he will open the biggest presents first. He says they are the best. He has taken quite a shying to me and wants to always sit by me. He also really likes Rob because he always turns him upside down every time he sees him.

Megan, their 18 year old daughter is very happy as her boyfriend is home from Boot Camp for a week. He has joined the Army. She has been making him a scrapbook for a gift. She has done a really good job of it. She is so grown up. Rob still calls her megan Monster and she doesn't mind.

Chris is also warming up to us. He is 22 and is special needs. He didn't talk to us much the last time we were here but this time he has played games with me and talks alot to Rob. He reads very well and seems to have matured even since we were here in January.

Well I guess that's all the news for now. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and enjoys all their family and friends.Have a great day tomorrow.