We had lots of bonding time around here this weekend. The fun began on Thursday with game night at the Brown House (part of our community that lives in an old rectory next to the convent). Several people from our house went over there to play Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit. Fortunately, my partner knew most of the answers so we did quite well despite my inability to remember facts and details.

On Friday night after dinner, our whole household piled into two vans to pick out a Christmas tree together. With only a minimal amount of stress, we got it set up in the living room and decorated with white lights and candy canes. It looks perfect next to the row of 12 stockings on the fireplace. Then we all got in our pajamas and watched "Pirates of the Caribbean" together while drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies. (I fell asleep during the movie, of course. But at least I've already seen it.)

Last night we had game night over at the Brown House again. It was Yahtzee this time. I'm not a huge fan of the game as a general rule. With seven people playing it takes about a thousand years to get through one round. It would speed things up to give each player their own set of five dice. Everybody could play at the same time and then scores could be compared at the end. Speed Yahtzee. (I think Yahtzee Xtreme was also mentioned as a possible name for it.) But I didn't mind playing the game this time, because I was enjoying being with so many good people.
The best part was when we paused the game to look at Kevin's photos from his travels around the world. We all started talking about planning another trip. I was being careful not to weep or drool or do anything embarassing, but I really get so excited whenever people talk about traveling. But I also get this little ache when the subject of travel comes up, because I know that its much easier to talk about travel than it is to actually do it (or afford it).

Tonight we gathered at the Brown House once again to celebrate Advent. There were candles and prayers and Scriptures and hymns. And I was asked to read part of a Christmas story. It was especially nice, because while I was reading it, I was smashed between four little kids on the couch.

Let the new week begin.