Life Defined by Christmas

Memories were fleeting until I was around 5 years old. In 1965 we moved into our first house in Newport. We moved close to the holidays.  There were 3 kids, pregnant mom and dad.  The house was small but adequate.  The work up to the holidays were short and sweet including baking cookies and decorating a tree.  We even went on the bus downtown St Paul to see Santa. A funny memory I had was my mom making all the take naps , while gifts were wrapped. I don’t think we did. After the house was put in order we went off to church. We dolled up in matching dresses and my brother in suit and bow tie. The big excitement was holding a lit candle while singing Away In The  Manger when we got home all  of a sudden the house filled up with grandparents and the big boys. We kids could barely contain the excitement.. rough housing, sneaking treats and drinking pop! It was a grand time.  We opened gifts from one another . And then we crashed.

Christmas Day was just as crazy but I imagine crabby kids. Many years we awoke by 3 AM. We ransacked the toys from Santa and often fell asleep on the couch.