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Annual Christmas story

Christmas spirit travels with family

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the final chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Christmas Day, One Year Later Just as they’d planned, Gabby and her family took the drive to Merrywood Falls on Christmas morning to visit their friends there. But as they stood at the very spot where they parked their car last year on Main Street, they were left speechless. There was no town. No people. No Emily Frost to greet them, no Christmas tree, no quaint shops. Nothing but open land and trees stood before them. “How can this be?” Mom ...

Holiday town bids family farewell

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 11th chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Stuffed with fruitcake and cocoa, Noah raced down the street toward Holly Park. He knew that the boy wearing the dinosaur sweater was just a few bites behind him. Up ahead, he spotted Gabby jumping up and down, cheering him on. He jumped into her arms and she squeezed him tight before Noah jumped back. “You have to go! They’re coming, go!” She took off running as fast as she could, turning down Main Street and ...

Race sparks holiday spirit

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 10th chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. “Yes!” Dad exclaimed. Finally, his tree was down, and the other remaining contestant was just about to knock his down as well. Third place. They were still in it. He tossed his axe and quickly strapped his tree to the sled, taking off down the hill the second he was finished. He was sore, sweaty, and completely out of breath, and having a great time. He reached the bottom of the hill and took off for the town ...

Time to race

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the ninth chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. “You want us to do what now?” Dad asked as a tall, lanky man dressed in red pants and a green Grinch sweater explained the Christmas relay race. They were standing on top of a snow-covered hill just outside the forest where a row of spruce trees were planted, along with three other teams of four people. Each team wore matching Christmas sweaters. The Murphy’s were blue, featuring a cat wrapped in strings of ...

Family gives thanks to light the way

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the eighth chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Gabby stared at the spot where Emily had just stood, then looked at her parents. “So, we’re supposed to ... what? Think happy thoughts?” “Why don’t we try just putting the candle in the lantern?” Noah suggested, and Gabby shook her head. “If it were that simple, Emily could have done it herself instead of giving us more riddles.” “Ok, maybe we have to say something first,” Noah said. “Like a ...

Gratitude and magic of town enchant family

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the seventh chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Right next to Mistletoe Manor was a small diner called Frost and Feast where they fueled up on burgers and fries. The diner was busy, with conversations from each table mixing with the cheerful holiday music playing overhead. The atmosphere was inviting and the food was good, and they left full and content. The family strolled through the center of town, taking in the sights. Dad wanted to walk past their car, and was ...