Mary Anne- I can't believe Christmas Day has arrived!

Dawn- I know.

When I got up the next morning, it was Christmas Day. It was early and none of my family was up yet, so I just laid in bed. I know it was seven, but I was too excited to go back to sleep for a bit longer. I wish I could sneak downstairs to see what I got, but I knew I might have to wait. I remember when Dad and I used to get up at seven to open gifts every year when we lived on our own. That was always fun. I miss that. I also remember we always make yummy gingerbread pancakes that Mom and Dad first made when we first had Christmas as a family. That's what he told me. I don't know what time Sharon and Dawn get up to open presents when they were still in California. I don't know if they get up early, too. Maybe they did, maybe they didn't.

At seven-thirty, I decided to get up, taking my breathing tube with me in case I need it, and tipped-toed downstairs. I'm just dyingto open gifts when everyone gets up. I'm patient, but I'm just thrilled about this. Honestly, I am. Christmas is my number one favorite holiday of the year. I'm just glad Grandma Verna is with us for Christmas. Let's just say that she's my favorite present this year. That part is true. I would like her to stay with us for good.

I went downstairs wanting to open those presents. I decided to watch that DVD downstairs in the basement as long as I keep it low. I'm glad Kayla and Kaylee made this DVD just for me. After it was over, I could hear someone walking up there and when I went up, it was Dad.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," smiled Dad.

"Merry Christmas," I said.

"Have you been up for awhile?" asked Dad.

"Yeah. I was up since seven. I wasso excited Christmas Day is finally here," I said. "Is everyone else still in bed?"

"They are," replied Dad.

"Oh. I don't know what time Sharon and Dawn get up when they were still living in California," I said.

"Neither do I to be honest with you," said Dad.

"Grandma celebrates with Tina and Bob and now, she's glad this is her first Christmas here with us since Mom was alive after she discovered she had cancer," I said.

"That's true," agreed Dad. "She hasn't been here for years since then."

"At least she's here now," I said.

"I agree with you," said Dad.

"I can't wait to open gifts as soon as everyone else get up," I said.

"Same here," said Dad. "I'm making gingerbread pancakes for the two of us."

"Sweet. Just like we used to make when we lived on our own," I said.

"That's right," said Dad.

"I remember having those," I said. "They were the best."

"I'll make some for the others when they get up. I'll just do regular pancakes for Sharon, Jeff, and Dawn," said Dad.

"That's a good idea," I agreed.

The pancakes were ready in no time. And, they were good. I love gingerbread pancakes at this time of the year. Sometimes we have them all winter long. Cool, huh? We were already done with breakfast when Grandma Verna came down.

"Am I smelling gingerbread pancakes?" asked Grandma Verna.

"Yes," I said. "Dad planned to make more when the rest of the crew get up."

"Oh, I see you had fun without me, " said Grandma Verna.

"Yep," I laughed softly at that joke.

"I'll make more for you," said Dad.

"Okay. Thank you," smiled Grandma Verna.

"No problem," said Dad.

He was making them when the others got up.

"Merry Christmas," said Dad.

"Merry Christmas," said Sharon.

"I'm making gingerbread pancakes. I'll make regular ones for you, Dawn, and Jeff," said Dad.

"That's okay. Gingerbread pancakes look really good," said Sharon.

"I make them every Christmas," said Dad.

"You bet even when we lived on Bradford Court. He and Mom first made them together when she was alive and she just had cancer back then," I said.

"That sounded really nice," said Sharon.

"It really does," said Dad.

After we had breakfast and after we got dressed, the doorbell rang and I went to the door. Sharon's parents were over to spend the day with us. I like Pop-Pop. Granny and I used to get along great, but somehow, we started to hate each other. Why? I do not have a clue. All I know is she usually insults Dad often and he hatesthat. I didn't want to see him to get hurt by Granny. After the last straw, I told her we can have our relationship back the way it was if she can stop insulting Dad. Did it work? So far, yes. So, now Granny and I are getting along much better again. Oh, one final thing what she did to me and Sharon that almost destroyed our relationship for a few days without knowing it: Granny planned to separate us and the worst part was telling Sharon that Dad is a terrible husband. Wrong! Dad makes Sharon happy and they love being together.

I was dressed in my Annie dress like I did last night. And, the curls were kind of messy, so I had to fix them before I came down.

"You look nice in your Annie dress," commented Pop-Pop.

"Thanks," I said. "I had it on during the Christmas party last night."

"Have you seen the movie version her cast made months ago?" asked Dad.

"We have it. Mary Anne was one of the best actresses ever," replied Pop-Pop.

"I'd have to agree," said Granny.

"Thanks," I said.

"Don't forget about the movie she and Cam did back in October. It has been number one since it came out," said Dawn.

"We saw that, too. She did a wonderful job playing Rebecca," said Pop-Pop.

"And, did you knew that movie received an A+?" asked Granny.

"It did?" I asked.

"I got that magazine with me to show it to you," said Granny as she showed it to me.

"No way! Wait until Cam sees it tomorrow. I haven't seen him. I had pneumonia last week and unfortunately, it caused me to have breathing issues," I said. "I have breathing tube to help me feel better."

When it was time to open gifts, Jeff was first since he's the youngest. I'd be next since I'm the second youngest, but I don't care. Before I had my turn, I looked pale. That was when I started having trouble breathing. I excused myself and I got up as I went up to my room to use my inhaler in a jiffy.

"Can you excuse me so I can go check on her?" asked Dad.

"Do you want us to pause until you both come back down?" asked Sharon.

"That'd be a good idea," agreed Dad.

"Why she didn't have her inhaler down here with her?" asked Pop-Pop who was curious.

"She's not comfortable using it around people yet. I understand that," explained Dad.

"Oh, okay," said Pop-Pop.

In my room, everything I would breathe better, the issue comes back. Then, Dad came in.

"Are you okay now?" asked Dad.

I just nodded. Why did it have to happen now? I was enjoying myself. I felt better after ten minutes and I came back down.

"Are you all set, honey?" asked Dad.

"I'll be alright," I answered trying to catch my breath.

"Why don't you sit over here on the couch with me so you can relax for now?" asked Dad as I did sit with him. "You still can open presents here when Jeff is done. He has three gifts left to unwrap."

"Okay," I said.

After Jeff had his turn, it was my turn. Dawn got me this new scrapbook and you know what was in it: Kayla. I got up to go hug her happily.

"I had a help from both Kayla and Kaylee," said Dawn.

"I love it. Thank you so much," I smiled.

Dad bought me a bracelet with my name on it. Wasn't that pretty or what? Sharon got me an ornament with a girl sewing. Sweet! Sewing is one of my favorite hobbies. You should see what Grandma Verna got me. It was a very nice scrapbook with Mom in it. I loved it. Jeff got me more headbands. Carlos got me a Stoneybrook High School sweatshirt with his basketball team on the back with his autograph. Don't I have one of my best siblings or what? Meredith got a shirt that has I Love New York City.

"Awesome! Thanks," I said.

"Stacey told me it was a nice choice for Christmas, so when she went to her father's a few weeks ago, she picked it out and brought it back with her and gave it to me," said Meredith.

"That was so sweet of her," I said.

Pop-Pop and Granny both gave me a box of hot chocolate. Yum. I love hot chocolate at anytime of the year. After we did gifts under the tree, it was time to get gifts from the stockings. We did it in the same order. We were done after that. Then at noon, we started cooking chicken for lunch. Meredith and I set the table. Marci, Kathi, and Patti came over just in time for lunch. The kids were eating in the living room while the adults stay at the table. We do that often. I don't mind since I love being with all of my siblings. Jeff and Dawn are heading back to California tomorrow and Dawn would be back on a Sunday, which is the day before we go back to school after Christmas Vacation. She's looking forward to spend the rest of the vacation with her father.

Going back to school for a new year would be tough for me. Why? Because Amelia Freeman was killed in a car crash shortly after we went back to school from Christmas Vacation and that was way before I became friends with Kayla and Kaylee. I'm not going to think about it right now to ruin my happiest time on Christmas Day. That's the best way to ignore sad times to enjoy holidays. Dad agrees with me on that. I'm sure the DVD would make me feel better whenever I feel down by missing Kayla if I ever lose her. Honestly, I don't even want think about that right now. If it does happen one day, I'd be heartbroken.

The chicken was ready at around one-thirty since it takes awhile to cook. I like chicken sandwiches at night for dinner. Granny and Pop-Pop stayed until after dinner.

"I had a great Christmas, Daddy," I said.

"I'm glad," smiled Dad.

I hugged him tightly.

"Thanks for everything," I said.

"No problem," said Sharon.

I went to bed at nine after I had a long day. I didn't care.