After all the traveling we did this year (as detailed in this blog and
our Christmas newsletter) we were excited to spend Christmas at home. First, we had to decorate - which was slightly delayed what with Michael's class in AZ and my nasty cold. Still I was happy with the results in our new home!
Decorating with our favorite ornaments
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| Michael gets the high branches |
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| Dragonfly from our Vermont trip |
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| Cruise Ship, White Pass Railroad, Pickle and Slot Machine |
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| Cardinal, Champagne, Crayola Organ (aka Jerome Wells) |
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| St. Mark's Rood Screen |
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| Cigars |
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| More Crayola, Topknot Doppelganger, Mouse |
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| Boston Red Sox - World Champions |
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| Naomi-created Topper, Scouting Snoopy |
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The finished product
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| Pretty mantle (sans stockings) |
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| Final tree - with Naomi-sewn cardinal tree skirt |
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Christmas day was spent at home - a rather cold home - we discovered later that our gas furnace was on the fritz! Fortunately, it was still able to keep the house around 65 degF, so not too bad, but still not incredibly cozy! Anyway, it was just us for the morning.
It started with Buzzard getting a millet-spray Christmas treat.
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| Yum, millet! |
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| It didn't take him long |
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| He was also able to join us for the gift opening |
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Followed by gifts - Michael . . .
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| Cuff links for all his fancy new shirts |
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| Dead fish tie - appealing! |
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| The big gift - a subwoofer |
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| Love it that he enjoys clowning around! |
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| That's a lot of LPs (and a lot of wrapping!) |
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| Why yes, I have introduced him to the wonders of The Music Man! |
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| Hmm, what could it be? |
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| Michael's always drinking . . . |
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| . . . See?! |
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. . . and me (who clearly was the main photographer, hence the lack of pictures . . . )
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| All Michael has to do is give me Broncos gear and I'm in heaven! |
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| Silicone baking mat - thank you, San Diego Otts! |
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| My new Emeril cast iron pizza pan |
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That evening, we had Moni over for more gifts and some
Lamb Shank Butternut Squash Stew. Yummy! After dinner and gifts we played Moni's new game,
Bananagrams. I won twice and Moni once - take that Scrabble snob Michael! ;-)
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| Moni is excited for Banagrams |
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| Should I open or not? |
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| You know you want the cookies! |
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| What is it? |
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| What a lovely scarf! |
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| Michael pontificates on one of Moni's lovely gifts to us |
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Finally, yesterday we had Katie and the grubs over, as they had been out of town over Christmas. The house is still coldish (The furnace was repaired last Thursday but went on the fritz again on Sunday. HVAC guys are scheduled to come back again Wednesday). Michael and the kids spent most of the time outside playing with Dylan's new bat, ball and glove set while Katie and I curled up under some afghans and chatted.
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| Dylan and Aidan gave Michael popcorn - they know him well |
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| The next Tim Wakefield? |
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| "I don't need books. I'm a grown man!" |
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| Hmm - does this look familiar? |
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| Yep! |
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| Michael gave all of his women scarves |
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All-in-all, a lovely, relaxing Christmas and we are looking forward to a (likely not-so-relaxing) Happy New Year!
