Happy Holidays everyone! There are only three more shopping days until Christmas and are you ready? I am usually one of those people you see running around like crazy Christmas Eve morning picking up all of the things that I realized (in the wee hours of that morning) that I had forgotten. But this year, things are surprisingly calm, all of the presents are wrapped, the house is decorated and I only have a few things left to do before hosting our Yates Family Christmas Eve celebration on Saturday night. Gee, Jim has only been home a couple of days during the last two weeks and things around here are calm – Hmmmmmm I wonder if there is a connection? LOL

As Jim told you in his last blog, he has been testing with AJ and the team in Bradenton, Fla., all week and it sounds like things have gone very well. I know that they had a long list of "things to do" which encompassed every aspect of the car from the engines and carburetors to the chassis and car setup. Since AJ is still recovering from the surgery on his right arm and can't drive, they have enlisted Ritchie Stevens to take over the driving duties and Jim said he could not be any happier with their results.

Unfortunately Jim's phone is not a happy player in Bradenton and he has almost no phone service so I have had to catch up with him on his way to and from the track. (This is usually at 6:30 a.m. or 10 p.m.) I can’t tell you how many runs they have made but it sounds like they have been running consistent low 6.50s. He was really happy with the 6.51 pass that they made yesterday afternoon and was looking forward to trying a few more things today before they had to pack up and head home. I haven't heard from him yet today so I am assuming that no news is good news. I do know that a successful test session is exactly how this team wants to start their 2012 season.

Jim will return home late tonight and we will look forward to a pretty quiet Christmas weekend – well, quiet by Yates family standards! Our usual crazy Yates Christmas Eve celebration will only be attended by 12 of us this year. It is just one of those years - most of the kids are visiting other family members this holiday. We actually celebrated Christmas with Jon, Alli, Jamie, Cynthy and the kids last Saturday because they will all be visiting their in-laws this year for Christmas and won't be here.

I am really looking forward, however, to Melissa and Joey arriving tomorrow evening – even if it will be a quick trip and of course my Dad will join us for Christmas day. After that, let the fun and excitement begin! Eight days until Melissa and Joey get married in Charlotte and I am so excited for the big day to finally arrive. I will leave on Monday evening and fly down to help them with the final preparations and Jim will join us on Wednesday.  Melissa and Joey have done all of the planning for their big day and it promises to be a wonderful celebration. I can't wait for the 30th to arrive! Maybe having a quiet Christmas is just what we will need to get us ready for what promises to be an amazing wedding weekend – right?

Well, I had hoped to hear from Jim before I finished writing this, but still no word so I will have him give you more details of testing when he writes his next blog. We may be a little busy next week so we probably won't have a chance to write again until after the wedding and New Year's but we will be sure to write soon and share lots of pictures of Melissa and Joey's big day. Before I close I want to wish everyone a very joyous holiday season. May peace and happiness be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through. Merry Christmas and Happy 2012 from our family to yours!!