Early on Christmas Eve morning Kimmie was checking the packages under the tree. She quietly made a point of being sure that every Twinn received a present. With a thud, Yrene, a croc, and the albino aardvark all materialized on the porch by the Christmas tree.
"Yrene! Merry Christmas!" said Kimmie.
"Oh, Kimmie, hello. Merry Christmas." Yrene dusted some of the iridescent sparkles which always seemed to accompany her arrivals and departures off her skirt. "Am I too late? or too early? How is everything going?"
"Very well. And I have a little gift for you." Kimmie handed her a gift bag. "Merry Christmas from everyone at the Continuum."
"Should I open it now or save it?" asked Yrene, trying to peer through the wrapping paper.

"Now," smiled Kimmie.
Yrene dug through the wrappings and pulled out a new subspace transmogrifyer. "Oh, Kimmie, thank you so much!" She gave Kimmie a big hug. "Now maybe I won't end up in the trees anymore!" She fiddled with the controls and caused a brief snow storm to materialise in the local shopping mall. "I hope there a few Caities to help with the instructions."
"Never mind that, I have heard that Rory has been making Christmas cookies, you can play with your new transmogrifyer afterwards."

Later that day, the Twinns gathered around as Jessie and Reading Ralph gave their annual Christmas weather forecast. Everyone was a bit disappointed that they were calling for rain rather than snow. But it was nice that the warmer weather let them finish their last minute chores without having to wear their coats.

The day passed without too much disaster except when Janna saw a nice candy cane on the tree, took it off, bit into it, and discovered it was actually made of plastic. "Ouch," she said to Eileen. "I am swearing off candy canes forever. But look at that nice ice cream cone hanging there!"
Eileen laughed. "Forget trying to eat the tree ornaments, Janna. C'mon, I think I know where Rory hid some of her cookies."

Every year Angel got the Twinns together for a Christmas photo. It wasn't an easy task because they were so excited about Christmas that everyone wiggled and didn't pay attention when Angel tried to pose them. "Candace, hold your sign higher. Peter, your Y is upside down."
"No, it's not," said Peter, looking at it.
"Peter, you are looking at it from the wrong direction," laughed Taryn, fixing it for him. "We don't want to go through again what we did the year you boys spelled out LEON instead of Noel!"
"Where is Cammie? She is supposed to hold the RR sign," said Angel. "She was just here."
Just then there was the sound of sleigh bells. "Santa!" yelled Alice.
"No, it can't be - the forecast isn't cold enough for sleighing," Jessie protested.
But a horse pulling a sleigh appeared in the front yard. In it was the Continuum's newest member, Zolzaya from Mongolia. And riding with her was a very familiar fellow.

"Carlisle! It's Carlisle!" All the Twinns threw down their signs and came over to the sleigh. "Carlisle! Is it really you?"
Carin and Taryn got there first and gave Carlisle a big hug. "I can't believe it. You're back!" said Taryn. "This is going to be a great Christmas after all!!"
"Oh Carlisle, they didn't need you in Yrbittia as much as we need you here," Carin agreed.
"I got back as soon as I could," said Carlisle. "I am sorry I had to leave you so abruptly."
"Well, it doesn't matter as long as you're back." said Carin.

"Carlisle, welcome home!" shouted Penny, as she, Kerry, Sally, and Corky all came running up along with several of the crocs. "Carlisle, did you see our bubbles?"
"Yes, I did," said Carlisle. "I hope they helped you know I was thinking of you."
"We put two of the bubble crocs on the Christmas tree in your honor," said Corky.
"Carlisle, old chap, good to have you back," Cavendish said. "Ye Olde Croc and Keg just hasn't been the same without you."
"My fellow Americans, this is a proud day indeed," agreed Clinton.
"Thanks, everybody," said Carlisle. "I can't tell you how good it is to be back. And on Christmas Eve, too. What are my chances of getting a cookie?"
"Pretty good, Carlisle," said Cathy, who was just as glad as everyone else to have him home again. "Come on, everybody, let's go celebrate!"
"Wait," said Angel, "Let's get our photo taken first. Zaya, would you fill in the back row, please?" She had discovered that Cammie had been called away for a long distance call from the princesses wishing a Merry Christmas to the Caities.
"I'd be honored," said Zolzaya.
Taryn reluctantly tore herself away from the crowd around Carlisle. "I'll be right back."
"OK, everybody, smile!"

And so another Christmas had come, full of surprises and good cheer. The Twinns at the Continuum and at Tumbling Twinns send their very best wishes to all Twinns and their families all over the world for fun holidays, peace on earth, old friends returning, and lots of happiness and good health for all!