Mary's brother Jim made it down from Chicago, as well. Last year he was on his way down on Christmas Eve in a snowstorm when he had an accident near Lincoln, Illinois. He had to spend the night in Lincoln and never did make it to Kirkwood. I was good to be able to spend time with Jim.
The big presents for the kids this year were a new bicycle for Matthew and an electronic keyboard for Katie. She already has a piano and is taking lessons, but wanted the keyboard for all the different rhythm tracks and instrument sounds it can make. It's a lot of fun even for those of us who can't play the piano. We can still make music. Books and DVDs were popular presents this year, as we all seemed to get one or more of each. All in all, a good Christmas.
