Happy Christmas!

 The biggest Christian holiday has finally arrived... the day we celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus.  

And... open up presents from Santa and his elves.

Ramsey dug right in and found fun boxes of Legos (WWII soldiers and Task Force/SWAT), candy, and other larger items that would not fit inside a mere stocking.

First bigger gift: a gun.   

Ramsey was questioning how the elves could possibly make toy AK-47s.

We talked about potential out-sourcing.

Oh look.  Another gun.

Handmade M1 Garand, straight from the North Pole (Etsy?).

While Ramsey played with his new Legos and toys, Eric, Jango, and I all chilled with some football.  Yes, football.  On Christmas.  So weird.

God bless you all on this very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve!

 On a wintery Christmas Eve, with just three of us, there was no need to rush or scurry.  We just did what we wanted to do.

Step 1:  Bake cookies for Santa!

Do NOT miss any of the batter - get every ounce of it!!

Step 2: Take lots of pictures!

Even if your husband thinks you're a weirdo and hates having his picture taken!   Take 'em anyway!!

Someday, we'll have the wonderful photos to remember happy times.

Step 3:  Open presents!!

Of the gifts I gave Eric, this one was the best.  ha!

Aaaaaand, here's a gun.  I think it was a toy M16.  I dunno.  Ask Ramsey.

A beautiful onyx chess set was in this box.  Nice!  I used to play on a tan/beige and cream onyx chess set with my grandmother when I was young.  I loved it!

Hmm.. what could this be.. in a long skinny box?

Ya, another gun. ...some sort of toy long rifle.  Again, no idea what it is... ask the kid.

Cold hard cash!

Ramsey loves him some cash.

And a check for mo money!

The kiddo brought in a good haul, with Army and Delta Force t-shirts, a Delta Force baseball hat, some pants, camo Dude shoes, a pair of new tennies, boxing gloves, a new gaming controller, socks, plus two new board games for his teacher (how sweet was that?!)

Jango got a chew toy.... and a beef stick.

Eric helped Ramsey put his AK-47 together.

Step 4:  Put out cookies and milk for Santa, plus carrots for the reindeer.  We left them on the table this year so Jango wouldn't try to eat the cookies.

Step 5: More pictures before bedtime!!!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Christmas Eve Eve

For Christmas, the weather reports were citing big storms and blizzard conditions.  We made it a point to go to church and visit Nana (to deliver presents - and also Culver's!) on the eve of Christmas Eve.  Connor was due to be at his Mom's for Christmas, so we were missing his sweet face.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 We had a small crowd for Thanksgiving this year; Eric, Ramsey, Connor, Nana Karen, and me.  Still, we had enough chow for a small army

This year, instead of an entire turkey (with parts and pieces no one likes to eat), I made a couple of turkey breasts in the crock pot.   They were brined with the usual concoction and cooked to perfection. Yum!

And, we made the family favorites; peas, corn, mashed potatoes, Nana Vicki's special candied sweet potatoes, crescent rolls, mushroom gravy, fresh cranberry sauce... and French silk chocolate pie.

Ramsey was in charge of setting the table.  No one loves doing too many dishes on Thanksgiving, so we took a few shortcuts.  Another new idea we'll be adding to the yearly tradition; paper plates!

After stuffing ourselves to the gills, we chilled and played games, visited, and watched some football.

We're thankful we're able to spend time together as a family.  We were missing others, but they were in our thoughts and heart.

Check...Mate

 Every so often, we get on a kick of playing chess.  Eric usually goes a little easier on Ramsey.  I don't.  But, I'm pretty sure he'll sail on by me soon, so I'm going to win while I can!! 🤣