Whadja get?

As a little girl, I remember this ritual of sorts. On Christmas morning, after Santa had come and gone and all of the presents had been ripped open, I would call up my best friends (Sarah and Kristy) and ask, "So...whadja get?"

We would run down the list of gifts, all the way to the bottom of the stocking. Big Wheel? Check. Simon? Check. Merlin? Check. (Remember those hot toys? I was more into electronics than Barbie or Cabbage Patch Kids.) And later...Guess Jeans? Check. Polo button down? Check. Marge McNearney handbag with removeable covers? Check.

Now, I don't know when the magical line was crossed. Perhaps when I got married. Perhaps when I had children. Or perhaps when I started knitting gifts in earnest. But somewhere along the way, the joy of Christmas began to come not from "Whadja get" to "What did you give?"

Here are some of my best Christmas memories of '09. Dad and Sam in their Turn a Square hats:



The girls in their fingerless mitts (Fetching in Alchemy Temple, and Cabled Mitts in Misti Chunky):



"Wrap Me Up Puppy" from the Itty Bitty Toys book (also made a chocolate lab):



This incredible portrait that Brent created of his wonderful dad, Stan, who passed away earlier this year. Wish I had a better photo, but if you look closely you will see that the photo is made up of words, memories and people who were important in Stan's life. Brent framed one for his mom and each of his 3 siblings.


Some of the other great memories that are sure to endure for me...Sam playing Joseph in the church pageant (notice that "Mary" was played by the cutest girl ever - they were quite the handsome holy couple):


Here's a pic from rehearsals:

There was comic relief when an ear fell off the donkey as they wheeled it down the aisle:


Cecily played the Emperor (um, I mean Empress) with a very convincing ferocity. (Mal was also convincing in her role/s of Townsperson #6 and #8).


And who will soon forget the epic Tulsa Blizzard of '09? We emerged from the pageant to a whiteout and the bone-chilling drive back to south Tulsa. After the shaking wore off, I got some pics of our Christmas lights in the snow:



The dogs were eager to frolic in the snow, even though it was above Lucy's head! Here, she's catching a snowflake on her tongue.



And the frolicking continued into Christmas Day:



So...what did I get for Christmas? As corny as it may sound, I got the joy of giving. Of keeping my family warm and loved. Of sharing my passion with thousands of stitchers around the world.

And those of you who know the story of Sandy dog, who still barks and scares the pants off every delivery man who dares to approach our house, you will appreciate my very favorite gift to receive this year. It was given to us by Billie Anne, who Sandy still terrorizes on a weekly basis:



- Shelley
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