I wish I had some sort of warm, deep Christmas message today, but I’m afraid I’m pretty bland. I seem to be developing a cold and Anders definitely has a virus. We both slept much of the way up to Bemidji, where we had a lovely Christmas dinner with family. They played a rousing game of Clue while I laid on the chair, then finally fell asleep on the couch. I guess I’m just tired.

I’m still happy, though, and it was a joy to spend time eating and exchanging gifts with family over the past couple days. Thanks to Annika’s exuberance, I was in a holiday mood: her persistent excitement is pretty infectious, even though it is a little over-the-top.

I’m falling back asleep now, even as I’m writing. It’s warm, Dak’s snoring next to me, and things are good.