Christmas Day 2010

I just noticed that many of the details of our annual Christmas celebration are documented on "Evestigation", so I will try to add a slightly different spin in this posting.



Bubby knitted a hat for Lydia Jane, gave it to her, and we see her modeling it in this photo.



We didn't get lunch ready quickly enough. The result, some serious chocolate consumption by the irrepressible Chee.



Bubby has been really excited for this day to come. While we were in Chicago this July, she went into the American Girl store and picked this doll out for Kate. Unfortunately she happened to spot it during one of her visits in Cedar City this fall, so she was expecting it. On Christmas Eve, she dug through the presents under the tree until she located it (based on the shape of the wrapped box), and announced that it would be the first present she opened. Her Mom decided that it might be fun to tease her a little, so she took the doll and hid it.

On Christmas morning, a very concerned Katie informed her Mom that one of her presents was missing! She looked like she was on the verge of tears, so the doll was quickly retrieved.

She does look like she is pleased. These two are now inseparable. Katie took her doll, Emily, to church today and was informed by a member of our Bishopric that although the doll looked a lot like her, she was certainly the prettier one.



Dress ups for the little girls were a big part of the Christmas gifts. Here is Maggie in one that Aunt Rosalyn gave her. She was quite a sight.



Bubby found this one for Lydia while we were in Big Bear, CA, in September. She was pleased.



Jake's big score was this gift to him and his Dad from Bubby and Poppy. We were told that the big draw was to allow the whole family to stream Netflix to their TV. I am suspicious, however. I think that there may be some regrets for allowing the thing in their home down the road. I am not a big fan of video gaming.



Auntie Rosalyn graciously put a lot of time into some impressive dresses for Emily. You can see them all on Evestigation. Katie was clearly pleased with each one, and even dressed Emily in one for church.



We had "hot pot" for dinner, or at least the adults did. Then Tony and Jaye dropped by for a visit. It was so great to see them, and to get our hands on little Suzanna Kim Eves (Suki for short). She is really, really cute, and was passed around between the adults and several of the older children.

Vince was as charming as ever. He played with his cousins while the adults visited.



Here is a family photo of Tony and Jaye. They will have to return to Iowa City before New Years, but we were glad to have a visit.



On Sunday morning, Lydia finally got some quiet time to play with some of her gifts with lots of small parts that could easily be lost. She loves to just play, and does so very well.

We had a wonderful Christmas, and trust that our readers enjoyed the same. We certainly wish all the very best of this wonderful season.

Buboppy

Christmas Eve

This our tree, overflowing with gifts. it was a wonderful Christmas for us all.



We had a wonderful Christmas Eve, the only thing that could have made it better is to have Booty, Laurs, Leeg, and Clara here. Sarah and her family arrived a little before 9:00 AM, which means they left SLC way before O-Dark Thirty!

After Friday pancakes for all, including Daniel and family, we settled in to enjoy each other and make final preparations for Christmas. Our schedule was simple. Fun, no matter what we were doing and not worrying to much about when we do it.

We had a traditional buffet on Christmas Eve, but Bubby had suggested an international theme. Of course that meant that she supplied pigs in blankets, macaroni salad with cubes of cheese in it, and hard rolls with deli meat (in this case smoked turkey in lieu of the more traditional ham). That may not sound too international to you, but those things were always part of Grandma Jane's buffet, and she was Dutch, so ...

The rest of the meal was definitely more in keeping with the theme. We had cheese fondue, homemade gyoza (pot stickers), satay with peanut sauce, hummus with toasted flat bread, and prosciutto rolled around fresh mozzarella. For dessert, we decided to celebrate all of the December birthdays with a DQ cake. Drewfy, Jake, and Babs were all on hand for the celebration.



The parents allowed all of the kids to open one present for Christmas Eve, and of course it was pajamas. Lots of pink in evidence in Sarah's family. (She supplied the photos, so there is definitely a Wells family bias).

Buboppy

Unfinished Business and Walking in the Rain

It has been raining in Cedar City for over 24 hours. Yesterday when we got up, it was raining hard enough that we opted to not take our morning walk.

This morning, we weren't going to be denied, rainy or not. It did snow a little last evening, but that changed to rain sometime during the night, and it was still sprinkling when we got ourselves ready.



This photo needs some explanation. First of all, when we go walking in normally 20-something° weather, Bubby and I never make much of a fashion statement. Our attire is totally utilitarian. On this particular morning, as you can see from this photo, that need was even more apparent. Bubby got a perm and haircut yesterday afternoon, and "as every Cosmo girl" knows, that means no water on the hair for 72 hours. As we prepared to head out in the rain, Bubby protected her hair with her shower cap (we call it the "Minnie Mouse"). She did look a sight, but stayed dry where it counted most. I still think she is the cutest thing I ever saw, with or without Minnie Mouse on.



When I dumped Bubby's photo from her camera this morning, I found some photos related to our Thanksgiving trip to Dallas. I thought our readers might enjoy them, so I am including them in this post. This is a photo of Miss Clara Anne's new quilt. Bubby always tries to get a photo of her quilt work before letting it go.



I thought this was a great photo of Laur and Bubb in the back of the van. I think this was the evening we went to Saltgrass for some good food (those dolled-up potatoes with the cheese, bacon, and ranch dressing amaze me every time).



Finally a photo of Leego, just because we are missing him. He is all trussed up in his car seat, ready to go (note that he has "Waa Waa, Ice!", just the way he likes it). Hope he is having a fun time in his room with Grandma Kar. Merry Christmas to all!

Buboppy

Andrew's Birthday

As many of our readers know, Andrew was born on Christmas Eve. That reality has led his Mom to feel that he needs some separation of his birthday from the celebration of Jesus' birthday. I think it quite fortunate for Andrew because it has allowed him to turn December into his birth-month, just as June is for me. What follows is an example.

Andrew has already had a birthday celebration with his friends, and the associated presents and cake that go with it. On Saturday, he and his family came over and helped Bubby decorate for Christmas. It was sure good to have the help.



Then on Sunday, Andrew and his family came over for dinner. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, and rolls, along with the necessary accompaniments. Following dinner, I caught this photo of Andrew and Evelyn in front of the Christmas Tree.



Although her fountains are starting to flatten a little, Sister was looking sassy in her "little black dress".



I got my camera out expressly to photograph the big moment. Andrew opened his package and found a set of Batman and Joker Trios which he dearly loves. His Dad helped him put a couple of items together.



Sister had to be contained a little, because it was hard for her to watch Andrew enjoy his gift with nothing for her. Just wait a day or two Evelyn. All will be right!



Here is one of the creations and a very happy boy showing it off. We followed this event with a little spumoni ice cream (Andrew's favorite). All in all, just another day in a boy's birth-month. Pretty sweet deal, don't ya think?

Buboppy

There's No Place Like Home

Monday turned out to be a marathon day that included experiencing Dallas rush hour traffic while driving Booty to work, final painting in the master bedroom (assisted by Leo!), banh mi for lunch, packing, one last meal together at Corner Bakery, and a trip to Love Field to catch our plane.

It was a 6:45 PM flight, and it was delayed. The short version of the story is that we arrived in St. George at 1:15 AM on Tuesday. Our plan from the beginning was to crash at the condo, which we were both grateful for at that time of the morning.

Tuesday morning -- up early since I had an 8:00 AM meeting in Cedar City. A busy day of work followed for both of us. The pay off came when we finally got home that night. It was a wonderful trip, we were treated likely royalty and we enjoyed every minute. We miss Leo and Clara terribly, already, but true to the title of this post, it was great to be home.

Busy days ahead, including an invited trip to the NFR on Friday.

Buboppy