Merry Christmas Eve!

Okay, so it's 1am so it's just barely Christmas Eve, but I'm definitely starting to freak out a bit. Because, ya know, I haven't done my Christmas shopping yet. Whoops. But honestly, it's one of the few really wonderful days of the year, and for sure the absolute best evening of the year, and I'm just almost sad it's here because that means Christmas is almost over and I've been looking forward to this weekend for MONTHS. 

I get to wake up in the morning early to take Hannah shopping for her friend, grab a few things myself, and then rush home to help mom take care of a few more things before going to Oma and Opa's for Christmas Eve dinner where all the family gathers, eats, talks, sings, listens to Opa read Luke 2, and undoubtedly talk about his bucket list that none of us has added anything to (last year's request). Okay, so that about sums it up, except that it doesn't at all. I look forward to this evening all year, every year. It's so beautiful and spiritual, and there really is nothing quite like being surrounded by the ones you love, and I really really love those people. Also, Oma is quite possibly the best cook this world has seen and I do not stop eating until it's literally impossible. We. All. Love. It. And honestly, as much as I'm dreading the arrival of this, I'm so excited! I LOVE CHRISTMAS. It is, without a doubt, the best time of the year. 

So on top of shopping and the other little things I need to do tomorrow, I'm going to try and cram in as much Christmas things as is humanly possible, like blasting Christmas music all day long while singing at the top of my lungs, baking some sugar cookies with the little boys and Hannah, and filling all the extra minutes available with writing letters to my favorite people. I am determined to fill this day with everything wonderful, and everything Christmas. Just watch me! I'll take pictures of it (on my phone, because little sis broke my camera, remember? gotta get a new one one of these days..), and put them up here for proof. Not that proof is needed, because who really reads this thing besides me anyway? Right? Right.

Now I'm going to try and fall asleep even though I slept half the day away (which is probably why I'm feeling totally unprepared), and I'm going to wake up to snow. Jk. It doesn't snow here, which is probably one of the only true downfalls of living in the Seattle area. That and summer isn't quite warm enough (Utah is too hot, for the record). Oh, well. It's still beautiful, and I still love it so much. I mean, hello! I ran around the harbor tonight with my little brother, and we both just stopped at one point to stare. The water was still and reflecting all the lights coming from the sailboats, houses, and lighthouse surrounding it. You have to admit that something is really gorgeous when a 12-year-old boy stops to stare. And that's where I have grown up. Also, there is something about breathing salty sea air that is therapeutic. Try it... you'll understand. Anyway, I've started rambling and can't remember what I was going to say in the first place. Next thing you know I'll be talking about my dating life and nobody wants that!

Basically what I'm trying to say is this: MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! I hope your day is wonderful, filled with everything lovely and delicious, and, of course, all the people you most care about.