Christmas Morning

 Every Christmas morning at 6 a.m., the unmistakable sound of jingle bells rings through the crisp, dark air, waking up the entire cabin. The kids—always buzzing with excitement—fight over who will get the honor of waking everyone up. This year, it was the 12-year-olds, victorious in the games the night before. Whoever wins the night before gets the privilege of leading the charge into the Great Room first.

The hallway fills with eager, sleepy voices singing "Jingle Bells," their voices growing louder with each note. Papa waits patiently, and when the sound reaches his ears, he gives the signal to the paparazzi—aka the parents armed with cameras—and we all scramble into position, the anticipation building.

The moment those doors swing open, the kids' eyes light up like stars. It’s a sight to behold, a mix of awe and excitement that makes everything feel magical. Each family has their own little spot by a couch, presents piled high in front. But there’s no rush—everyone knows there’s a warm cinnamon roll waiting to be enjoyed, along with cold water and creamy chocolate milk. And just like every year, everything is wrapped—down to the stockings.

Stockings can be opened whenever you wish, but the gifts? They’re unwrapped one by one, each revealing a piece of the memories Grandma and Papa have lovingly crafted over the years. The kids laugh and share stories about their toys and clothes, while the adults’ gifts are mostly silly, memory-filled treasures that bring bursts of laughter.

This year’s big hit? The new Huggabuddies—Nick’s yeti, Xander’s sloth, and Andrew’s unicorn—everyone takes turns hugging their new stuffed companions, the room filled with laughter and joy. We start at 6 a.m., and by 10 a.m., we’re all ready for a nap, content and full of warmth, love, and memories we’ll cherish for years to come.