Barbara, what a great, great gift for your sisters! And tonight sounds like so much fun. I love coming out to your blog (even when I don't post, which isn't often ;)) and I'm always delighted to *see* you over at Soapbox Queens (not plugging, just saying). And yes, I can't wait to open presents either.

Thanks Barb for the delightful reminiscing of your family! Coming from a big family myself, I can appreciate the loving get-togethers--now if I can only prevent them from being reduced to quarrels & crying--some of which is not healthy or productive!

This year one of my brothers wanted to revive a childhood tradition of going to McDonalds on Christmas Eve (long story). I stood firm for Kentucky Fried Chicken. And since we're gathering at my house, I won. :) The big ham dinner with all the trimmings is on Christmas Day. Have a wonderful day with your family, Barbara. Merry Christmas!!

Have a wonderful Christmas, Barbara!

*snicker* I like Mr. Christmas Lights too. ;-) Meeting you has been a blessing in my life this year too. Your personal story is such an inspiration. I'm at my mother's for Christmas and we'll have dinner tomorrow at my sister's house. I'll fly home on the 26th and have Christmas with the DH and #2 son. Then on the 29th we'll go to #1 son's house and have Christmas with him, DIL and BabyGrand. Merry Christmas!

Mr. Lights is cool, but what will you do for an encore for 2008? Merry Christmas, Barbara. No Grinches for you!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Barbara. May Santa bring some keepers for your TBR stack!

This has been a great place to hang out this year. Looking forward to 2008. Merry Christmas Barbara and to all your readers!

Merry Christmas Barb. I know you will have a wonderful time with your family...all of them! And thanks for your blog, it is so enjoyable to come to see what you are up to. Oh yea, thanks for the Mr. Lights too!

LOL Barb! Wow what did I miss? talk about lighting up the christmas tree! Love it Merry Christmas Jennifer

Merry Christmas, Barb!!! Like everyone else here, I love reading your blogs. The blogs are always so enlightening and so much fun! One of my favorite things about Christmas is that it is so full of tradition and so sentimental. I hope you make many, many wonderful memories with all 59 members of your family! Merry Christmas, Barb, and I can't wait to see what next year has in store!

Merry Christmas Barb - I'm amazed at how you always come up with wonderful blogs, all different and all special. It's been a treat getting to know you this year. Thanks for the great holiday visual at the end of your blog. I just hope that once you got all those lights draped just right for the photo you had a piece of mistletoe handy. "g" Hugs and love - Dianna

Thanks Barb for the "man in lights"! Wow! That made my holidays!! Hope your holidays were good & look forward to your next blog!!

Hope your Christmas was wonderful. Best wishes for 2008.

I have enjoyed your blog this year and look forward to 2008. Happy Holidays!

Happy Hogmanay Barbara, I love your gift idea. I did something similar. We have a lot of old visiting cards from our ancestors from the 1800's so I downloaded them onto the computer and created collage photo frames for my siblings so we can all enjoy our family's past. Here wishes of many blessings and a few surprises in the new year.

Merry Christmas, Barbara!