A Very Different Christmas Day

Christmas Day 2012 was a very different day for us.  It was the first Christmas that we spend without children around.  At 22, Alisha is certainly not a child and didn't get up before 9:00.  I spent the morning on FB just waiting for the day to begin.  Thanks to Seth and Ali, we had the tree up and the lights on outside before we went to Salt Lake.  I think they did a good job of decorating for us and I really appreciate their help.
Around 10:00 we gathered at the tree and opened presents. Although Alisha had already seen and tried on her clothes, she insisted that I wrap them up for her. So, she unwrapped her gifts and Dan and I unwrapped ours. 

 

We got a new calendar from Daniel and Dalynn and are excited to hang it and see the wonderful pictures on it.

 

Alisha apprecites her new clothes!

 

Seth and Ali gave us a nice quote to hang.

  

Dan got the Conference DVDs

 

and he gave me an earwax remover.

 



 Kevin sent two sets of Disney Barbie Princesses for me to share with the

granddaughters.  I love it!!

 

      Dan got some new pajama bottoms.

 

 

 

Tessha and Patrick gave us a Regal gift certificate and we have used it twice already.  We say Les Miserables on Christmas Day and The Hobbit today.  Thank you both!

Gracie gave us fruit cake, chocolates and a wonderful, little hand warmer all from Germany.  The fruit cake and chocolates didn’t last long but the hand warmer will be used for many years to come.  I love it!    

 Kristi, Laura and Gracie gave me a Nike + SportsBand.   

for when I run. I look forward to using it when the snow is gone. Thank you all!

 

Sitani, Marley and Elijah gave Dan and I both got mugs from the Sugies with sayings that they put on them. Love them!  I can't wait to take mine to school and have hot chocolate in the mornings.  Thank you sweet Sugies

Kristi, Laura and Gracie gave me a Nike + SportsBand for when I run.  I look forward to using it when the snow is gone.  Thank you all!

Sitani, Marley and Elijah gave Dan and I both mugs with sayings that they put on them.
Love them! I can't wait to take mine to school and have hot chocolate in the mornings.

Thank you sweethearts!

 

Doug and Linda sent a gift card that I'm sure we will use soon.

If I've forgotten anything, it's totally by accident and I'm so sorry.

Thank you everyone!

 

      Then we had a lunch of ham and potatoes.

 

   A good but very different Christmas day! 

Pre-Christmas Weekend

Dad had a VA appointment on Dec. 21 so Alisha and I went with him.  The appointment went well and he was even invited to participate in a research study about hospital beds for disabled vets.  His pictures are on his phone which is broken now but it will be fun to get them off and blog about it later.
Afterwards, we met up with Kristi and Laura's families and walked around Temple Square. It was beautifully lit up and we spend some good time in the Visitor Center.

 

 

Mark met us at Chuck Wagon and we all had dinner before heading home.

 

We stayed the night in Orem and then went to Kristi's the next afternoon.  Alisha and I went shopping for some Christmas clothes for her.  We found just what we wanted and went back to Kristi's.  Laura brought down a wonderful Christmas ham and we baked potatoes and other vegetables.  It was a great dinner but the best part was after dinner.

 

We got to open Christmas presents together.

 

 

Thanksgiving in Baltimore

In early November, Daniel and Dalynn called. Luke and Jenn’s family was joining them for Thanksgiving dinner and we were invited.  So, the three of us flew to Baltimore for the 3^rd time this year.  Boy, did we ever have fun.  Playing with kids and grandkids, eating deep fried turkey, watching Luke and Daniel play in the backyard together (They were building a ski lift and ski slope), cutting down Christmas trees, decorating wreaths, wrapping presents and visiting.  There’s no better way to spend Thanksgiving.

We started the day with the first annual Daniel L. Thomas Turkey Bowl.  While it was pretty chilly that morning, it didn't stop the guys and even girls from getting out there on the icy grass and throwing that ball around.  Most of us sat on blankets and drank hot chocolate. 

 

As it warmed up the kids started moving around and even drew pictures in the dirt.  Pretty good picture of a turkey at the turkey bowl.

 

Afterwards there was even a little time for "father-son" ball.

 

  When we got home most of us stayed inside and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...

 

 but not Luke and Daniel.  They headed back outside to play. 

 

  They had a ski lift to built.  Seriously!  Where's the snow you ask?

 

Later on Daniel got the bird ready for the fryer...

 

while the girls were busy in the kitchen.

 

And when it was all ready we sat down to a wonderful dinner with family and friends.

I have to say deep fried turkey is fantastic, so moist.  Good job Daniel!

 

After things were cleaned up, put away and the little ones in bed, Jenn, Karly, Alisha and I went to the show "The Life of Pi".  Very interesting movie.  Personally, I enjoyed it but it left questions in my head. 

 

The next morning we had a fun breakfast of a yummy foreign pancake (can't remember what kind it was but it was good) and fruit.

 

Then we put on our coats went outsde.  While we were waiting for everyone we did a front yard tree photo shoot. 

 

Afterwards we loaded up the cars and started the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree.

 

 



 Back in the cars we headed down the road and found a fun place for dinner.  We also stopped and picked up a few things to wrap Christmas presents and make a wreath for the door.

While some decorated the tree, Karly and I wrapped presents.  Afterwards we decorated a wreath and hung it on the door.  This is the second year we spent Thanksgiving in Baltimore, cut and decorated a tree and a door wreath.  We are so blessed.