Fri, 12/24/21....Chirstmas Eve.....Had our Family Christmas Party!!!

My favorite ornament...so true...The Glory be Thine Oh Lord!

 

      

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Melissa sent me these pictures of them enjoying their early Christmas Present of Cocoa Bombs made by the Laux family I ordered for them. She said they are delicious

It took a really long time to put all of these pictures in order as the computer put them all mixed up.  I will have to write about the day tomorrow as it is 1:56 a.m.  Nite Nite!

We celebrated our Christmas on Christmas Eve.  Vikki and family got here at 9 and the rest came later.  We had hickory stick, cheese, crackers, veggies and dip, butterhorns, Chocolate crinkle cookies, Christmas cut out cookies, and candy I had made.  Kenzie brought chocolate covered strawberries that were delicious.  Thanks Kenzie!  Love you!  We started with the youngest and had each one open their gifts ending with Papa and Nana.   It was so fun watching everyone open.  At 11, we stopped and went to the garage so the kids could do their gift exchange.  Bill read Luke 2 first, then each one took their turn giving gifts.  Such great gifts and loving kids.  Then we all gave Bill his garage door opener we went in on.  He was very happy.  (I'm happy too because it is going to be very nice for me also.) Kimmy and Vikki were able to hug Melissa for the first time since Covid started.  This was so touching to our hearts.  You can sure see the love in the pictures.  I got another hug too, but I have been blessed with a few now.  They are sure more special than ever now though.  After Melissa and family left, we went back in and Bill and I opened our gifts. Everyone giving gifts today was so thoughtful of what they picked out for each person.  I got a box of pancake mix from Peyton and Isaac...I looked for a gift card taped to the box but there wasn't any.  Bill had one taped to his cereal box.  Vikki said it was pancake mix, so I went to sit it down...then she said not really.  There were four collapsible funnels in it.  Then Bill wrapped a chainsaw box.  Between him and Jared, they said very convincingly that it was a chainsaw.  We all had a laugh and I set it aside.  Then Bill said I should open it. It was loaded with gifts that were all wrapped.  Bill outdid himself.  Another good laugh was had.  I really laughed when I watched the video a few days later.  I love watching the video and seeing everyone open their gifts again.  Anyway I got very nice gifts.  Kimmy and Jared mashed the potatoes, Kenzie made the gravy, Bill carved the turkey, I warmed the rolls and we all sat everything on the table.  Then Charlie and Sue came and Bill prayed and we ate.

We had to wait for dessert because we were all too full.  Jared, Bill, Charlie and Sue played Euchre.  Kimmy, Vikki, Jacob, Peyton and I played 3-13.  We didn't finish the game, but Jacob was in first place.  We had our dessert.  Kimmy brought yummy apple pie.  Vikki brought yummy jello, Kenzie brought chocolate covered strawberries and we had the pie I made and the banana cream pudding dessert.  Lots of choices!  We watched our Christmas Eve church service online at 6.  Rody got it on the TV for us.  It was so good.  We packed up left overs for everyone except Vikki and family.  They always come over for left over day which is our tradition. What a great Christmas.  I am so thankful for Jesus and so thankful for the family He blessed me with!

Thurs., 12/23/21, spent the day baking and cooking for tomorrow, It snowed so Bill decided to snowblow the driveway, Bill went upstairs and spent a long time wrapping presents,

Evan with his stocking Papa got at the VA and gave him

Jack with his stocking Papa got at the VA and gave him

Cheesy potatoes ready to bake tomorrow

Making banana pudding dessert, then a chocolate banana pie.  Used Lela's yummy pie crust recipe

Rolls hot out of the oven

Bill snowplowing the driveway...it was dark but he got it done!  He didn't want it to be slippery for tomorrow when everyone comes.   

Those presents in front of the TV are some that Bill wrapped

Bill had to go to therapy.  Did morning reading. I went to Jacks and got a Hickory Stick and had them slice it.   Started two batches of dough for rolls going.  Put the Chosen Christmas music on and it was so worshipful.  Made pie crust, then made banana cream pudding and chocolate pudding.  Got the banana cream dessert made and the chocolate banana pie.  Bill brought the tables in from the garage and put the one that goes in the family room up so I could put the tablecloth on and put the plates out and hot pads out.  Everything done today, makes tomorrow easier.  Cut up veggies and got cookies and butterhorns out of the freezer to thaw.  Cranberry relish is made.  Cut up cheese to go with the crackers and Hickory Stick.

Baked the rolls.  Got all of the dishes out and ready to be filled in the morning.  Cut up the ham and put it in the crock pot dish so it's ready to start in the morning.  Did some cleaning upstairs, then vacuumed the basement.  Made the cheesy potatoes, and peeled potatoes for the mashed potatoes Kimmy and Jared with mash for me.  They make delicious mashed potatoes.  Kimmy and I had a laugh on the phone because at Bill's sister's Christmas party, she wanted me to mash the potatoes.  She asked me if I wanted to use the hand masher or the electric hand mixer.  Of course I chose the electric hand mixer for all those potatoes for 22 people.  We couldn't even imagine using a hand masher.  I asked Kimmy and Jared if they would do it because they always mash the potatoes at our Christmas party and are so good at it.  Well Kimmy spotted the Kitchen Aid mixer and asked if they could use it.  She moved everything out of the way to get to it, then asked where the beater was.  Well Debbie didn't know and we didn't find it anywhere, so they used the hand held one.  There potatoes were delicious, and will always be remembered.  It was snowing throughout the day, and in the evening started raining.  Bill thought it might freeze, so he snowblowed the driveway.   Bill was sure upstairs wrapping for a long time.  Usually he has Kimmy do his wrapping on Christmas Eve morning.  He did an amazing job!  I might have him do all the wrapping from now on lol.  When he came in, we watched the movie, The Nativity Story.  Melissa called and I talked to her for a while and was excited to hear how their day went with Bruce's Dad and step mom coming for their Christmas and going inside after Covid testing.  They wore masks, but aid it seemed so normal and good.  I am so happy for them and I'm looking forward to Christmas day when Bill and I get to do that.