Christmas At The Olsen's: part 2:

It is bright and early on Dec. 24th, Christmas Eve, Nels and Harriet are just getting out of bed. Harriet, "Nels, Percival and Nellie, will be here today, what time does the stagecoach arrive?"

Nels answers, "About 1pm, we have all morning to do 'finishing touch ups' before they arrive"

Harriet says, "Yes, Nels we have alot of work to do. We need to get their room in the Hotel ready and I want to make a nice lunch for them. Nancy can help me with their room and lunch as you tend to the Mercantile. Is Nancy up?"

Nels answers, "I will go see."

Nels goes to Nancy's room sees she isn't up yet and says, "Nancy time to get up out of bed, your sister will be here around 1pm and your mother needs your help getting their room ready and a nice lunch prepared, as I tend to the Mercantile"

Nancy still excited about them coming says in a joyful tune, "Ok Father, I'll be down in 15 minutes.''

It is now about 9am and Harriet and Nancy are starting to clean up the room for The Dalton's arrival. Harriet says, "Nancy we need clean sheets, towels ext. and let's decorate the room with Christmas candles, the room should like nice for them."

Nancy says, "Ok Mother, I will put the bedding and the towels in the wash, and find some nice Christmas Candles and decorations."

Harriet, "Thank you, sweetie you are being so good to help out!"

Meanwhile over at The Wilder's, Room and Board, where Willie and Rachel live they are also getting up and anticipating the arrival of Percival and Nellie. Willie says, "Rachel, sweetheart, let's go over to the Restaurant and see if we can help."

Rachel, "Ok, love"

The Restaurant and Mercantile is in full swing with customers buying last minute gifts. Willie and Rachel come and do their part.

It is now 11:30am and Harriet and Nancy just finished cleaning and decorating the Hotel room, Harriet says, "Nancy we need to get lunch started, I think we should make Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, with carrots and gravy and dinner rolls and some nice cold Ice Tea"

Nancy says, "I'll make the Mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots and dinner rolls."

Harriet says, "Thank you, lets get started."

The time is going by and before they know it, it's 12:45pm the stagecoach will be there in 15 minutes with Percival, Nellie, Ben and Jenny. Harriet says, "We need to hurry outside they will be here soon, put the food on the stove to keep it warm."

Nancy replies, "Ok Mother, the food is done and keeping warm on the stove, let's go met the stagecoach."

Over at the Mercantile things are slowing down so Nels closes up. Nels, Willie and Rachel also go outside to met the stagecoach.

At The Wilder's, Laura and Almanzo rush out. Down the street come the Carter's to meet the couch also they never met Nellie's family.

At 1pm sharp the couch is on time and there is a big crowd to meet the Dalton's. Hugs and kisses from all the town. Harriet and Nels say at the sametime, "Welcome home, Ben and Jenny have gotten so big."

Nellie responds, 'Yes, they have mother and father."

Ben and Jenny run up and hug grandma and grandpa and say, "We are so glad to see you, mother had told us alot about you."

Harriet says, "Nancy and I have made lunch let's go in and eat."

Nellie says, "Oh good, we are starving."

So they all go in and enjoy the Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, carrots and gravy. Afterwards Nancy offers to clean up the dishes and Nellie says, "Mother, she had changed."

Harriet, "Yes she has, she is being a big help."

Later that evening they are sitting in the Living room with some eggnog and cookies and just chatting with each other as Nellie is playing Christmas music on the piano. Nels says, " Nellie you have really improved on the piano."

Nellie responds, "Thank you Father, I have been practicing."

starting to get late and a big day tomorrow Christmas Day Harriet says to Nellie, "Nancy and I will see you and Percival and the children to your room."

The Daltons answer, "We are tired."

They get to their room and Nellie says, "Mother the room is so beautiful and smells so Christmassy with the Christmas candles."

Their say their goodnights and go to bed. All are in bed except Nels and Harriet they say to each other "what a wonderful day now let's put the presents under the tree and then go to bed ourselves."...

To be continued...