Merry Christmas!

And what a merry Christmas it is indeed. For our first Christmas, we have TWO trees! We have our fake tree, and then Raph got a real tree for me as well, just for fun. I've been decorating at Curves, at my in-laws, at my parents and at home. We will spend Christmas Eve with Raph's parents and Grandma, and we will spend Christmas day with my family. There is no need to negotiate because Raph's family always celebrates on Christmas Eve and my family always celebrates on Christmas Day. This year will be special for the Kepinski side because Raph's Grandma is there. Her name is Ewa - which is also my mother's name (except spelled Eva). She is here from Poland and has come out for our wedding and Christmas. She will be going home in January, so we have to enjoy our time with her as much as possible. My own grandmother, Sophie (which is my middle name), is not doing very well. She's been in the hospital and has recently come back home to her apartment. Her heart is giving way, and her breathing ragged. She still presses on, but at 97 years old, we know that she would rather be "home" than home. We are very much looking forward to time spent with family and a few days off from work!