We had a good time at the coast. The weather was beautiful, we didn't even need jackets! We fully enjoyed our time with our friends, and have even talked about taking the kids up next year and renting the house for a week, all of us. It sounds like fun, and we all know the kids would enjoy it, the house is definitely big enough. We had two extra bedrooms that were empty this weekend, plus an area with fold out couches and a futon. We could certaintly fit a few more people in. Now it is time to contemplate Christmas. We won't have as much expendable cash to spend this year, so I am trying to get creative. There are several people we usually include in our gift list, that do not want to be included this year, because they too, are a little strapped for cash. So, I guess that saves me some money. We will have to do Christmas the old fashioned, traditional way, you know, where it is about the spirit, and not the merchandising. Where people spend time together, not at the mall. Gee, you know, what Christmas is actually about, the birth of our Savior, not the sale at the Gap?

I might actually fully enjoy Christmas this year. Think of all the shopping time I am saving!