Through the frosted window of their London apartment, Amanda gazed at the never-ending snow. She hoped the the Rudd family as well as Rico and Ceci would make it there safely. The apartment smelled of baked chicken and pasta, while Christmas carols played from the the iPod docking station. Emi danced around to Jingle Bells while Angelo tried to keep up with her, his giggles filling the apartment. At last, the doorbell rang and Amanda ran to let the Rudd family in. She greeted them with warm hugs, ruffling Jarrett's hair before Emi grabbed his and Tansy's hands and whisked them off to the kitchen. "I told her when her friends get here we could get started on the cookies," Amanda explained. She chuckled and moved aside to let her guests in. Niels greeted them next, Angelo in hand, hiding his face against Niels' shoulder. It wasn't long before the aroma of gingerbread and sugar cookies wafted through the apartment. With the promise of being able to decorate them later, Amanda was finally able to get the kids out of the kitchen so they could prepare for dinner. Soon, Rico and Ceci joined, bringing news that the snowfall had finally ceased. Over dinner, the adults chatted about various things while the children upheld a conversation of their own. Moments later, Emi was standing beside Amanda's chair, tugging on her shirt. "Mummy.." As Amanda leaned close, Emi cupped her a hands around Amanda's ear and whispered, "Can we go outside and build snowmans?" Amanda smiled and kissed her little girl's forehead. "That's a great idea, sweetie. But don't you want to open gifts first?" Emi gasped, beaming. "Gifts?!" "Yes, gifts for everyone." The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis
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Amanda at a GlanceNames: Amanda Pontremoli, Amanda van Loon Archives
August 2017
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