Ho Ho the holidays! It happened. It was good. Here is Alice in area that is suggesting we are about to find a Christmas tree.
As many of you know, during COVID, or Instagram or something,
cutting-down-your-own-tree became a THING. As is, everyone was doing it.
As in, there are no more big trees if you want to cut it yourself. So,
we drove out to our cutty place, expecting to walk around, look at
trees, then go to the their pre-cuts so we could find one from 8-10
feet.
As usual, Brock wanted 10+, but after last year, Matt and I argue 10-.
BUT, at Pinecrest, where we normally go, we were told we might find an
8-footer in the less than popular Norwegian Spruce. Why is it not
popular? We don' know!
We actually found one that was about 8.5 and BEAUTIFUL!
So we cut. Or, Matt cuts.
Brock, helps carry, I take pictures, Alice referees.
The tree train toots along.
But one must also decorate that tree! The "shorter" tree was much easier for this.
And what are the holidays with out food stuffs? Nothing, nothing I tell you.
In a crunch for crafts one afternoon we pulled out grams and Brock and I walked to Walgreens to pick out candy to make some holiday houses. Oh I wish I could have added "gingerbread" to that house description because the graham crackers were less than mediocre. It was sooooo hard for the kids, and even myself, to make anything really architectural.
So we settled for piles. Nailed it! Well, we did eat candy, which really was the whole point anyways.
Alice has Christmas cuteness DOWN. And super model smugness.
This is Alice the bright-nosed reign-Murray. Matt made her a sled and she traveled the living room rooftops bringing joy to the middle-aged parents and amused little boy.
And this is Christmas Eve! We have our tradition of going out downtown to Italian Village for dinner.
I tried to introduce the kids to fettuccine Alfredo, the classiest of all mac and cheeses, but I ended up
eating most of it. Brock ordered duck gnocchi that we all thought was
the best-est best. We know for next year.
Is this what pasta does to one? Not sure if this is pre or post dinner. But I am sure it is silly.
This year we introduced the tradition that my brother and I had growing up, the kids open one present on Christmas Eve from Grandma and Grandpa Donut. It is, and from now on, is a Lego set for them to build to hold them off until Christmas morning.
This year it was the "Visit from Santa" set, an adorable house where Santa can slide down the chimney!
They build, build, into the night. Alice helps find parts and is, in general, her brother's lackey.
Tis Christmas morning! The kids are looking fine in their holiday jams that I made this year. Matt is looking fine behind a big ol' pile of homemade donuts! We have adopted my family's tradition of making my Great-Great Grandmother Schimmelphfenning's Glazed Potato Doughnuts. They are truly my favorite thing. Matt is the yeast whisperer and took on the task after my fail the first year we did them, two years ago.
It's a family affair!
If that is not a donut bliss face in action I don't know what is. Yeaaaaaah girrrrrrl.
Brock in pre-present-opening coital snug.
Peas from Santa! The only peas Alice will ever like.
And a hole for Matt! A black hole disc golf basket from me. That he totally picked out. Sigh. Surprise!
Puffy pom-pom play from the GNuts.
And Brock with his big ol' gun. More sighs. I don't love it. But Santa, a surprise NRA enthusiast, came through.
Bullet clean-up and gun jamming grumpiness aside, totally worth the Brock smile. It was really the only thing he wanted.
Letter from Santa explaining why he brought Brock the "Pharaoh" instead of whatever other monstrosity was on his list. Better range, less jamming, et. Note that it broke the same day. Luckily Santa's mercenary elves work for Amazon now.
Those poms had mileage!
Donut time! Let's slow clap for carbs please.
I made Brock and Alice a snugly campfire.
The parlor decked for Christmas dinner. Lamb roast courtesy of Jake and Joanne and Nate! THANK YOU!!
Kinetic sand from Konea. Wow! They love it! Why have I not purchased before?
Lobster Bob with homemade egg nog. That's right! Matt made real, fermented egg nog this year! It was fabulous but so so so so rich. But Bob is drinking it, so none of those calories are going into any of us. I will make note to purchase a slimming exoskeleton for the new year. Bob was brought to us by the California crew. Claws not featured here.
After an amazing festive day, we pack up and prepare for our journey west-ward to Nebraska for second Christmas and News Year magic! Stay tuned for another post! Maybe in June! Just kidding. I hope.
Comments
Post a Comment