Because of early deadlines for this week’s paper, I am writing this article as my grandchildren are swirling like a tornado around the house. This is our year to celebrate with our children the weekend before Christmas Day and Santa is on his way.

I was the first one up this morning, showing that part of the kid in me is still alive. Laura, my granddaughter, was up next. She had gotten up at 4 a.m., came in our bedroom, and wanted to know if it was time to get up. Granny got back into bed with her and thankfully we slept another couple of hours.

The smell of bacon and sausage soon filled the house. One by one, people drifted down the stairs and continued a long family tradition; eating a piece of bacon before saying good morning. Healthy food is not on anybody’s mind on Christmas Day.

Pancakes are soon being served up hot as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee joins the smells of Christmas morning. Sitting in the den in front of the fireplace, I enjoy hearing everyone talking and laughing in the kitchen.

There really is nothing like having your children back home for Christmas. It doesn’t really matter whether it is Dec. 25, or the weekend before; being together is the part that we love most.

Henry, my grandson, and Laura are bantering back and forth, making new memories for us all. My sons-in-law, Daaron and Grant, have fit right in bringing some of their own traditions to our blended families.

My daughters, Catherine and Elizabeth, still mostly carry on the traditions of their own childhood Christmases, except now it is them that get to change the diapers and clean up the spilt milk.

Mary Lou remains the glue that makes all of this work. She stands behind the stove, making pancakes as long as anyone will eat them. The schedule for the day is as full as she can make it and we all love it that way.

The presents will come in just a little bit, followed by yet another meal. We will play with the new toys outside, despite it being the coldest day of the year. We will even give Harry and Wills, our pets, their own special Christmas treat.

Sitting here alone in the den, I realize that I have already received my best Christmas gift. My family, all of them, are here. How lucky I am! There is really nothing like having your family home for the holidays.