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Christmas '97

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The folks started arriving one by one;

First Caryl and Bill and their #1 son.

Next came Kim and Scott and Jordan who is three;

Then Marcia, Cam and Beau who exclaimed they loved our tree.

Matt, Beth and Anne were the next on our doorstep,

Wade and Emily arrived with all the extra pep.

Now who would you guess was the next to pop in?

But David and Les and Zoe and Austin.

Now Zoe and Austin being Dalmatians in true form

were ready to be nestled in for a big winter storm.

Lisa and Patrick nearly missed mass,

But Emily was driving and many cars did she pass.

Keahna accompanied by Kelly and Mitch

Was finally freed from the truck after a 4 hour stitch.

Daryl, Jesse and Luke arrived bearing honey cake

Which Daryl stayed at home all day to make.

Karl was here but missed the family photo cause he was sick in bed,

Anne and Chris missed it too for they went to midnight mass instead.

But all were gathered by 2:00 am and ready to go to bed

After singing songs and laughing together and tummies had all been fed.

With Marcia in her PJs and I already to go;

Thirty stockings were waiting for the big HO HO.

When out in the living room there arose such a clatter,

I came in from the kitchen to see what was the matter.

When what to my wandering eyes should appear,

A floor full of clutter...my gravest fear.

Thirty times what?...should equal a ton?

Stockings on the wall...There wasn't a one.

And then in a twinkle I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

Oh my gosh, it must be St. Nick.

We all scurried to bed though I felt a little sick.

The stockings were scattered all over the place;

I wouldn't want to see the look on his face,

But he spoke not a word and went straight to his work.

He filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk

And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!"

Merry Christmas everyone and have a good '98!

The Herbst Family