For those of you that missed the most epic "Last Gift" ever...here is the play that all the "adults" performed on Christmas Eve. We combined all our favorite Christmas movies into one play. They only had about 5 minutes to review their parts and then it was go time. We were pretty impressed with the product, we're considering taking it on the road...Tessa claims to have the whole production on video and I will post it on here if she ever sends it to me :)

Raymond as Scrooge

Dodge as the Grinch

Bob as Bob Cratchit

David as Fred the nephew

Debbie as George Bailey

Lis as the Caroler

Brad as Bob Marley

Renie as Ghost of Christmas Past

Dave Eck as Ghost of Christmas Present

Sarah as Ghost of Christmas Future

Bay as Oprah

Matty as Young Scrooge

Shilpa as Tiniest Tim

Jeff as Joseph

Teresa as The Virgin Mary

Silvia as Wisewoman 1

Betty Eck as Wisewoman 2

The Unsung Christmas Carol

Act 1

Christmas Eve Daytime

Scrooge is at his desk rummaging through papers and Bob Cratchit is working by his side.

Scrooge: Cratchit! Cratchit where are you, you lazy swine?

Cratchit: Right here sir, what is it?

Scrooge: Take a look at these numbers, have you been working at all?

Cratchit: I’ve been working for the last 364 days sir. I haven’t had a break in 11 years.

Scrooge: Bahumbug! You should be working 385 days a year. If you don’t have the sales up by tonight, then you’re fired!

Cratchit: But Mr. Scrooge, it’s Christmas Eve! How am I supposed to do that?

In walks the Grinch, cursing and whatnot under his breath.

Scrooge: Awww, good morning Mr. Grinch, my most valuable customer and might I add, the most likeable personality in all of the Triangle Area.

Gringe: To hell with it, I’m green, I’m furry and I’m looking for a safe box to store all these gifts I stole from Who-ville.

Cratchit: Stole?

Scrooge: Aw, he he means borrowed…tis the season, isn’t that what you holidayers always coo.

Gringe: Yes, yes. Tis the season, blah blah blah.

Scrooge: You know Cratchit, you could learn a few things from Gringe if you had half a brain. Real business mastermind.

Cratchit: Business mastermind? He stole gifts from Cindy Lou Who and all the Whos in Whoville. Sounds like robbery to me. Lis sing wa who dore…

Gringe: Who is this wise guy, Dr. Suess? At any rate, have you got a safe big enough for my loot?

Scrooge: Let’s go take a look out back. Scrooge and Grinch begin to leave.

Cratchit: Um, sir, before you take off, may I ask a favor?
Scrooge: A favor? What do I look like, Aunt Pat?

Cratchit: Tomorrow’s Christmas and I’d love to spend it with my family. If I work all night tonight, do you think that would be possible?
Gringe: It is so hard to find good help these days.

Scrooge: Family man huh? I knew I had good reason not to like you Crochet. Fine. Take your beloved holiday off but you had better be here at 4 a.m. on the 26^th. Lis sing We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Cratchit: Oh thank you! Merry Christmas Scrooge! Happy Hannanaka! To you and yours!

Scrooge & Gringe leave. Enter Fred & George Bailey

Fred: Hello Mr. Cratchit! What’s all the excitement about?

Cratchit: Scrooge has agreed to give me off for Christmas!

Fred: Well isn’t that the miracle on 34^th street.

Cratchit: I know, I know. What brings you and George to this part of town?
George: Hello ole building and loan!

Cratchit: Is he okay Fred?

George: Huh? Into my good ear Crochet!
Fred: Try not to stare, he’s been saying that to every building we pass. At any rate, I came to invite Scrooge to dinner tomorrow, where is the old stinker?

Cratchit: Out back with Gringe, they’re looking for a safe box. Probably plotting how to ruin other people’s Christmases as well. Do you know Gringe stole all of…

Fred: Yea, yea, all of Cindy Lou Who’s presents. I saw the tweet like an hour ago.

George: Stole the gifts? Maybe he’s got Suzu’s petals.

Fred: Nevermind George, anyway, I just stopped by to invite Scrooge to dinner tomorrow, will you pass along the message?

Cratchit: Will do Fred

George: Goodbye ya ole building and loan!

End Scene.

Act 2

Christmas Eve Night

Scrooge tucked into bed. Lis making spooky sounds – wind howling and bells jingling.

Scrooge: What was that? Sits up in bed scared, looking around because he heard a sound.

Marley: Hey mon! What’s da problem, it’s me, Marley!

Scrooge: Marley! My old business partner?

Enter Marley

Marley: No mon, Bob Marley. I’ve come to tell ya a message from Father Christmas.

Scrooge: From who? Santa Claus?

Marley: No mon, from Father Christmas. Tonight ya will be visited by tree ghosts. Spooky, creepy crawly ghosts. Ya better listen to dem, so you don’t go on ruinin’ the rest of ya days. The first ghost is from your past. From long ago when you was a young, happy man.

Scrooge: Oh I was never a happy man.

Marley: But you were! Just ask your old golfing buddy…

Enter Angel from the Past

Past: Hello Ebbie! How have you been!?

Scrooge: Oh don’t call me that, no one calls me that anymore.

Past: Come with me you old fart, come see the happy man…

Past puts arm around Scrooge and they and Marley all turn to look off into the distance.

Oprah: We’re back and we’re speaking with the most highly decorated golfer in the United States. Tell us Ebbie, how did it feel when you sank the hole in one during the Vincey Memorial?

Past Scrooge: It felt like heaven! I really can’t believe I did it and to be in such a pretigious and well-known tournament is a great honor.

Oprah: What do you credit success?

Past Scrooge: Budweiser, Shit on Shingles, and my beloved family.

Oprah: Shit on who?

Past Scrooge: An old family favorite.

Oprah: Ok, I’ll take your word for it. What would you say your family has done for you to help you become this successful?

Past Scrooge: They make me happy.

Behind them

Scrooge: Happy!? This can’t be accurate, have we gone back into someone else’s past?

Past: No Scrooge, this was you! I was there! I saw you with my own two eyes!

Enter Angel from Christmas Present

Present: Are we about done here?

Past & Marley: Shhhh!

Past: What the hell are you doing here?

Marley: Yea, aren’t we supposed to get back to his bedroom first and then you come?

Present: Listen, I’ve got a lot of stops to make, I was just at the Grinch’s house and decided to come here next since it was on the way.

Scrooge: On the way? Who the are you supposed to be?

Present: I’m the ghost of Christmas Present, come on old man, we’ve got to get a move on it.

Scrooge: Wait a minute, I’m losing track, how many of us are dead and how many are alive?

Marley: We’re all alive Scrooge, in spirit and in your dream, we’re all very much alive.

Scrooge: Have you been drinking?

Present: Come on, come on, time is ticking.

Marley, Past, Oprah, Scrooge Past all exit. Enter Cratchit to the side of Scrooge & Present

Scrooge: Oh no, not this guy. What have I got to learn from this? I know this scene inside and out, this goon works for me.

Present: He works for his family Scrooge, you happen to be his employer.

Scrooge: Don’t go soft on me stupid ghost of Christmas Right Now.

Present: The ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge, I’m here to show you what became of the happy young man you just visited.

Scrooge: I’ll tell you what happened, he got rich and wealthy and and…

Present: And very lonely and selfish. Look at how hard Cratchit is working. Can you tell me the last time you complimented him? The last time you helped him the way he helps you? Worked hard for something the way he does?
Scrooge: He is a good worker, he doesn’t need me telling him that.

Enter Tiny Tim to Cratchit’s side

Tim: Hey Dad! Almost done working for the day?

Cratchit: Hey Tim, I’m almost done, only 13 more hours to go.

Tim: I wish you could come home early for dinner tonight.

Cratchit: I do too Tiniest Tim. But I’m work extra hard to get you a new leg.

Tim: What about my siblings Dad? I don’t deserve all the fruits of your labor.

Cratchit: I know Tiny. I’m saving for a new arm for Large Tim and a new wig for Medium Tim.

Scrooge: He sure has his hands full.

Present: He sure does, he has 14 all together, I think they’re Irish.

Scrooge: Or insane.

Present: He works this hard to provide for his family and you don’t care a bit.

Scrooge: Well why should I care? I’ve given him a job haven’t I? A paycheck? I give him those things and without me, then all the Tims and Crochet would be a lot worse off.

Present: You’re missing the point Scrooge. He is still happy despite how hard it looks on the outside. You on the other hand wouldn’t know gratitude if it slapped you in the face.

Scrooge: Slapped me in the face?

Cratchit walks over and lightly smacks Scrooge in the face.

Scrooge: I thought he couldn’t see us?

Present: Well I took a little creative liberty.

Enter Ghost of Christmas Future from the side

Future: Hello, anyone home?

Scrooge: Oh great, how many of you guys are there?

Present: Three Scrooge, there are three ghosts, don’t you ever watch the Holiday classics on Hallmark?

Present, Cratchit and Tim all exit. Future stands beside Scrooge.

Scrooge: Well where to now?

Present: To several years into the future, shortly after your death.

Scrooge: My death!? A little morbid for a Christmas classic don’t you think Ghost?

Present: Well you are going to die Scrooge and I think you better take a look at where your life is headed.

Enter ALL OTHER CHARACTERS to the side of Scrooge & Future Ghost

Oprah: Now, before we go live, does everyone remember where to sit and what they’re saying?

ALL: Yeah, yep, (etc. etc)

Oprah: Ok, any questions?

Fred: Wait a minute, I have a question. Aren’t we supposed to be forgiving and loving, especially during Christmas?

Cratchit: Good point Fred. Now I know he was a real pain in the ass, but should we really be roasting him like this? Can’t we just forgive and move on?

Scrooge: What are they talking about? What are they going to do?

Future: They are talking about you Scrooge. About how cruel and selfish you were.

Scrooge: On national television?!

Future: I guess they want to make a point.

Scrooge (addressing the group): Hey everybody, stop right there!

Tim: Mr. Scrooge? We thought you were dead!
Oprah: Damn, there went my show.

Tim: We thought you were a goner! Tim hugs Scrooge

Scrooge: Listen everybody, I get the point. I understand, I was a total jerk.

Grinch: Yeah, a big jerk.

George: Big? I want a big one!

Scrooge: I’ve learned my lesson, I don’t want to live like this anymore.

Future: Well that’s a relief, I’m late for my next appointment.

Past: Why don’t we all go over to my house for a big Christmas celebration.

Present: Good idea! I heard there was an 18 foot tree in the living room and enough food to feed an army.

ALL walk in place like you’re walking to another spot.

ENTER Mary & Joseph

Lis singing Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Grinch: Is that the Virgin Mother and Joseph?

Joseph: It is indeed, we’ve been traveling all night for a place to lay our heads, but there is no room at the inn.

Past: There is room at our inn! Come with us!

Present: Yes, and we’re about to have a holiday party, you can join us.

Mother Mary: Good, I could use a little rest.

Lis singing Silent Night

ALL walk in place together

Wiseman 1: Before we eat, let’s hear the Virgin Mother explain the meaning of Christmas.

ALL agree that sounds like a good idea.

Scrooge: And Mother, if you don’t mind could you do me a favor?

Mother Mary: Of course Ebby, what is it?
Scrooge: After your story, could you please give them my gift?

Mother Mary: Of course, but why don’t you give it to them?
Scrooge: I want to see their faces when they receive the gift.

Jingle Bells

ALL CHARACTERS remain standing while Mother Mary finishes the play.

Mother Mary: Okay, gather round you kind and odd group of people.

Christmas day is soon in coming,

All the bustle, all the running.

For every gift and tree adorned,

A holiday memory will be born.

All the cooking and late night wrapping,

Matched in effort only by afternoon napping.

The anxious secret keeping,

And curious children peeping.

The traffic jams that made me curse,

The parking lot that made it worse.

The warmest December since the dawn of man,

I began to think Christmas was a luke-warm scam.

So much to do and so much to see,

One night I paused with a warm cup of tea.

I considered my blessings, my family and friends.

Good health and time to make amends.

Time to laugh around a table of folks,

Telling old stories and older jokes.

I thought of the other times we gathered here,

And just the memory made a smile appear.

Enter the 3 wiseman.

So now here we are on another Eve,

To celebrate these gifts before we leave.

The gift of Jesus born tonight.

The gifts of wiseman brought in the night.

The gift of family, by birth or otherwise,

The gift of knowing The Last Gift has arrived.

So from the wiseman’s box, the lid I’ll lift.

And pull a name to receive the gift.

Teresa…pull a name out of the box and read the winner’s name!

December 10, 2011

Dear Family,

On behalf of Dad and Mom, I enclose their last Christmas gift to each of you. They asked me to convey three wishes to you: First, that the dollar amount of the check was higher; Second, that you use the money in a way that makes you and your family happy; and Third, that you recognize that this check is but a small measure of their love for you.

I think it is quite fitting that this final Estate distribution coincides with the coming of Christmas. The Regan household at Christmastime was indeed a wonder. We each retain our own cherished memories - here are a few of mine (they may be yours as well; in fact, as Renie knows, I sometimes inadvertently grab hold of others' stories as my own):

- Dad's amazing calmness on Christmas Eve morning, even though he had not yet thought about, much less purchased, a single gift and faced a full day of crazed holiday shopping with his brigade of daughters;
- The last-minute purchase of our Christmas tree, the complicated logistics of ensuring that the tree stayed upright in its stand, and the mass exodus when it came time to decorate the tree (except for Teresa, alone, with a handful of tinsel, dutifully doing the work of 14);
- The pure happiness that enveloped the entire Regan household on Christmas Eve night, with the fire in the fireplace struggling to keep pace with the burning Yule log on the television;
- Our beautiful wood mantel above the fireplace - just before we hammered in the nails to hang up our stockings;
- The moment of wonderful confusion on Christmas morning as we approached a living room jam-packed with gifts, each of us silently measuring the individual stashes and waiting for Mom's instruction as to which one was ours;
- The utter exhaustion and wild hunger (and, yes, a slight disappointment) that overtook me almost instantly after unwrapping my last gift);
- The gathering around the dining room table for the presentation of gifts to Mom and Dad, an endless affair in which time momentarily stood still when your gift was being opened;
- The leisurely pace of Christmas Day, lounging in our pajamas well into the afternoon and rediscovering one at a time our Christmas gifts; and
- A singular moment during Christmas Day when it dawns on you, not for the first time, that you are miraculously blessed to have Mom and Dad as your parents and to be a part of this wonderful family.

Merry Christmas to all of you. I love you.

Bob

*********

Dear Family,
I have just reread Bob's letter and I am amazed how he so beautifully captures the emotions of our childhood Christmases. I talked with Deb, and then Pat, and they each conveyed the same sentiment, how they were immediately transported back to that morning. Deb expressed a desire to hear everybody else's favorite memory of Christmas. I think that would be the perfect gift to each other and ultimately, to Mom and Dad's memory. So if you would like to share something with each other, now is the time.

One of my favorite memories is when Mom would call you aside after all the gifts had been opened and announce she had forgotten to give you one of your presents. One year, she whispered to me to come upstairs where she handed me a small package. I opened up two receiving blankets for my new baby doll. Having witnessed Mommy wrap her own babies so efficiently and snugly year after year, I was so thrilled to do so to my own baby doll.

Bob, thank you for evoking such vivid memories and for reminding us of how blessed we are to have been raised in such a family.

Love you all,
Bay

***********

I loved the anticipation while gathering at the top of the stairs Christmas morning. Lining up youngest to oldest waiting to parade down the stairs. Waiting for Mommy and Daddy to yell up it's ok to come down. There are so many magical memories, I could write all day. Have a great Christmas week. Love, Debbie

***********

Great idea Bay, Debbie, and Pat.

I have several vivid memories, and they came flooding back to me as I read Ot's letter. The first had to do with Mommy. I remember how happy Christmas made her. As tired as she had to have been, she was always smiling and singing. The days leading up to Christmas were so exciting, and then to hear Mommy singing along to her favorite songs (especially Johnny Mathis' songs) made it so much more exciting.

The second memory I have was going to bed on Christmas Eve. Many of us would pile into our bed (mine and Matt's), and then David, I pretty sure it was Davey Fingers, would break out the Christmas Missalette that he lifted from Mass. We would then proceed to sing Christmas songs until Mommy and Daddy made us go to bed.

My third memory was with Dad on Christmas day. I had to be around 10 or 11. My favorite gift that year was a whirly-bird helicopter. The helicopter went around in a circle, and you could maneuver it up and down. After an hour of putting it together and applying the decals, it was ready for lift-off. Within minutes of playing with it, I nose-dived the helicopter into the ground and it smashed to pieces. I was devastated. When Daddy got home from church, he spent what seemed like hours fixing it. He finally got it back together and Christmas was saved.

I could go on forever, and as I write, more and more are coming back to me.

Ot, thank you for the beautiful letter and for all you have done for us handling the estate. A toast to my big brother Bob: The richest man in town. Sorry Coach, not very original.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Mike

***********

Mike,

I loved your memories! I agree with Mike that I remember Mom’s face on Christmas morning as everyone opened their gifts; she just loved seeing everyone open their presents and exclaim over them; it just made her day. I remember one year when mom had showed me a pair of pants she had bought Pat for Christmas, and little did she know that Pat had bought her the exact same pants! I think I must have made a surprise face when she showed me so I had to reassure her Pat would love them. I couldn’t wait for Christmas to see them when they both opened their new pants. I remembered going shopping with mom for Christmas and how much fun we had picking out the presents; then we would go and get a soft drink and talk about all that she had bought. I don’t know how she did it; what with all the birthdays before Christmas and then having to wait til Dad got home to even go out and shop, since they only had one car, she was one amazing woman! I also remember Vince putting together shows for us to do on Christmas Eve and we would sing and do silly things, but it was a magical night and we were all so excited. Then when all the little ones went to bed we would decorate the tree (one tinsel strand at a time)! Man, this is taking me back years- thanks for the idea Bay !

Bob, thank you so much for that beautiful letter; it deserves framing! It brought tears to my eyes as I read it and it brought back all those wonderful memories-thank you so much!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Teresa

***********

God I love you guys! I miss Mommy, Daddy and Vince!!! I have tears in my eyes reading all these emails. My memory is not that great and reading these mails brings back so much happiness. I do recall always being so nervous trying on cloths and hoping that they would fit. And I know Mommy was right there praying that I like the presents and hoping that they would fit too. She knows how sad I would get if they didn’t fit and I did not want to ruin the excitement of the day or disappoint Mommy.

I too want to give a special thank you to OT and Rame for handling Mom and Dad estate. I am sure it was not an easy task, emotionally or otherwise. And a great big thank you for the Christmas money!!! The timing could not have been more perfect.

Thank you both!

Merry Christmas,

David

***********

As with others I could write many things, but I will limit it to three:
1. Age 8 or so -- Marching down the stairs and seeing that the living room had been transformed overnight into a wonderland of streamers, decorations and presents -- and believing with all my heart that "yes Santa Claus is real."

2. Around the age of 10 or 11 -- I was inspired by Rame's Christmas spirit when he would insist on going to Midnight Mass. And then again around age 16 or 17, realizing that his spirit(s) were not always religion based despite the bulletin he brought home from church as evidence.

3. Age 15 or so -- Being too old to act overtly excited, yet young enough to be up early in anticipation. So to fill the time between getting up and being able to go downstairs, using the back stairs to go to the kitchen and getting a cup of tea and casually sneaking a peak into the living room under the guise of getting milk from the refrigerator.

And to bridge the gap from childhood memories to making your own with our kids, Michele and I have blended many traditions from both families into our own. The most important of which is being with family during the holidays -- so from our family to yours, Merry Christmas!! And in addition to all the wonderful memories we all have, one not so wonderful memory that we continue to deal with each year (to varying degrees of success) is "you have to brush your teeth before you can come down".

- John

***********

Dear Everyone,

I too, have a very special Christmas memory of Jamestown and Mommy and Daddy. I tell you this story NOT to make you sad, but to celebrate the wonder that is the season and your family.

It was Christmas 1991 - the first since Vincey had died. I was trying my hardest to be brave and stayed in WV to celebrate Christmas with our friends and the "traditions" we had started sinced living there with all those great people. That was the year Matt made the VHS (remember those?) of the family setting it to music. You know, the four part one. I was afraid of it the minute it arrived. I knew the emotional bomb it could be. So, I held it and did not watch it or show it to the girls until after they had finished opening presents and we had had breakfast. We hald talked to Jamestown and Maine and then, I felt fortified and ready.

We were still all in our PJs and I told the girls what I had. They, of course, were furious with me that I had waited so long to tell them about it. So, with tea in hand, Alison, Tessie and Katherine sitting as close to the TV as possible we put it in the machine and watched. When the third section came, and Vince was there, smiling, happy, healthy and surrounded by all the people that were so deeply important to him, it came for me - such a flood of grief that I had been holding my breath on for the past 12 months. Mericifully, Matt's editorial genius ended 4th part of the video with the joyful celebration of life.

We all sat there, I remember sitting quietly staromg at the snow on the screen for what seemed like forever until I quietly asked the girls if they would like to drive to Jamestown right then and there. WILD!!!! Jubilation. I called Grandmom and when I asked her if it was okay if we came up - TODAY, she said "I wondered why you aren't here now!"

I don't remember packing, the girls traveled in their pjs, I don't remember the drive. What I do remember is arriving in Jamestown - to the hoots and hollars and excitement of everyone. What I remember is all the hugs and joy that we were there. What I do remember is sitting in the kitchen with Mommy and a cup of tea and both of us crying. What I do remember is the warm, safe feeling of being loved and more importantly of belonging.

Even though Vince wasn't there, I had a home there - not in Jamestown, but wherever your parents were. I remember feeling so very special in the midst of so many. What I do remember is your Dad coming over to me later, and hugging me and saying simply, "I love you, dingbat". What I remember is how happy my girls were, how childlike, how perfect. What I remember is that I was breathing. I was going to be okay and so were the girls. What I do remember is that Vince had left me the greatest gift of all - of family, his family.

That is always still the feeling I get at Christmas time - the feeling of unbridled joy, the joy of belonging and of beling loved by my beloeved Vincey's family. But mostly and more importantly, that his family loves his girls, each one - wholly and individually. That is the gift of Christmas that I always remember from that viist at Christmas time to Jamestown in 1991.

And still, twenty years, later, that brilliant shard of joy and relief is there. Thank you all
and Merry Christmas to everyone.

With love,
Lis

***********

hi all:

I think my co-workers may think I'm depressed - I've been crying all week at work as I read these emails. Thanks to everyone for sharing.

I too have so many fond memories and here are a few:

- Coming home everyday from school during December and asking mom when everyone was coming home from college, etc. You could feel the excitement building at 603 as everyone started arriving. I enjoyed the days leading up to Christmas as much as Christmas itself. I can remember Mom giving me the order "time to start the fire, Bay will be home in one hour." Mom knew that Bay loved her fires and she actually trained me on how to build them. No one may realize this but Bay was the original Woodman.

- Gathering around the dining room table for Mom & Dad's gift presentation. the older kids carefully arranging Mom & Dad's piles to make sure they looked even. There was no better feeling than when your name was read off the Christmas gift tag and the cheers & hoots would come for you as your gift for Mom or Dad was now in the spotlight. You could always hear Dodge and Rame in the background saying "what the hell is it?" and Vincey always starting all the chants with his nicknames. The "Balon, Balon, Balon" (not sure how to spell it) cheer for David's gift was always one of my favorites.

- the Christmas night (and nights following) game nights. crowding around the dining room table for Facts in Five or Dictionary or any game that 15+ people could play at once. I remember Mom always choosing to sit in the living room during game nights and I always felt bad for her that she was excluded (and I would make several trips to the living room to try and convince her to join us). I didn't realize until I got older that Mom did not feel excluded but relished this time to catch her breath, watch some tv, listen to the fun coming from the dining room, and smile knowing the joy that she & Dad had once again created.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Matt Regan

***********

Typically, I had a hard time choosing my favorite Christmas memory. Here are just a few of my many memories from our Regan Christmas':

The heady days leading up to Christmas were my favorite part of the season:

- waiting with anticipation for all the college age and older siblings to return home. No matter how many of us were together, it was always noticeable when even one brother or sister was missing.

- watching the Christmas specials on TV that only aired once a year. Daddy loved them as much as we did - especially the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It was as much fun watching Daddy chuckle at the grinch's antics as it was watching the actual show.

- going to the mall en masse to buy Mommy and Daddy's presents. Teresa was so patient with each of us as we made the weighty decision between kitchen dish towels or set of Woolworth's finest steak knives. After all the shopping was done, we would head to the little restaurant attached to Woolworth's to share a few sodas, and one year, incredibly, a 1cent banana split (one sundae, ten spoons).

- practicing for our annual Christmas Eve performance that Ot or Vincie would produce. The nightly play practices that Michael was routinely thrown out of for laughing at me while I practiced presententing a Christmas poem.

- waking up Christmas Eve morning when Debbie & I shared a bed. The first one awake would shake the other awake with "Wake up it's Christmas Eve!".

When Christmas morning had finally arrived:

- going into Michael, Matthew, & John's room to wait it out & give the older kids a chance to sleep in a little longer. Deciding who would brave the noxious odor of the 3rd floor to wake the big brothers. Waiting with growing excitement until Mommy gave the ok to head downstairs.

- having to eat breakfast before we opened presents, pretending to have to go to the bathroom, so you could sneak a peek into the living room.

- heading downstairs, in birth order, fingers raised, chanting "We're #1". I remember Cindy's first Christmas morning with us - we quicklly determined her proper place in line and knew she was a keeper when she threw her hand in the air and joined in our chant.
- after tearing through your presents, going around to everyone else's pile to see what Santa had brought them. One year, Debbie (I think) got a tape recorder. We spent hours recording different songs and skits - including that song - "In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight"...

- just when it started to feel like all the excitement was over, I would remember we still had to give Mommy & Daddy their gifts. The dining room table stacked with what seemed like hundreds of presents. Waiting with breathless anticipation - because you just knew Mommy was going to absolute love those kitchen dish towels from Woolworth's. The few times our Madame actually got teary eyed over a gift someone had given her. The tags Daddy would put on his presents for mom, each one different "To Mrs. Regan From Mr. Regan, To Tessie From Vincent",etc.

Truly, I could go on for ever (sorry - I kind of did). I feel so incredibly lucky to have grown up in the Regan house. Mom & Dad were such amazing parents - something I realize over & over again as I watch Hannah & Jack grow up and Keith & I struggle with different parenting issues. I feel so blessed to have all of you as my family. Have a merry, merry Christmas with your families and remember... WE'RE #1!! :)

Barbara