8:30 AM Sunday morning January 3, 2010-- Doors (to the house) are locked; thermostats (plural) turned down; toilets winterized; Jamie's left for their home; we're in the car and ready to go. Seat belts buckled: check. Prayer said: check. Let's go!
We start out in in what I like to call the standard parent/child configuration-Michael's driving, I'm at shotgun, Ty's in the back seat behind Michael, Claire is in the middle and Carynn is behind me. We get maybe 50 feet out of the driveway and Carynn calls out something like, "Ooh gross, Claire just pooped on the seat." We pull over, I get rid of the poop, Carynn and I do a switcheroo and everyone else retains their original positions. The dog is still somewhat disoriented. (She has issues occasionally. Unfortunately this is one of those occasions.) Somewhere between home and Montana I move her from the seat to the floor. Which is a good thing because when we get out to stretch our legs and fuel up, what I think is leftover poop smell is actually NEW poop smell. By this time I'm not feeling too charitably towards the dog. She does eventually settle down though so that's good for all of us. In fact, now that she's taken care of business (twice) she seems to have run out of ammunition, so to speak.
We discover early on that Ty can just barely reach the portable DVD player with his foot (since Michael needs to have his seat all the way back because he has long legs) and that's not a good thing, so I change the position of the DVD player by balancing it on the small ice chest just out of reach of any of his body parts. Ty's favorite movies this trip are the Ice Age sequels. He calls them the "elephant" movies. We also watch parts of WallE and Cars during this part of the trip. We enjoy our sandwiches and other snacks, but Ty doesn't really nap. I have a few tricks up my sleeve with some new books and small toys for Ty. I've also brought our magnetic letters for him to play with. These end up being more of a mess as Ty has discovered that when he puts things (toys, magnetic letters, books) in the slot in the arm rest, they disappear until we either stop or I undo my seat belt and do the long stretch over him to retrieve whatever it is he's dropped down the slot. He's not being malicious mind you, just curious and finding out about cause and effect.
Our stop for the night is a Motel 6 in Idaho Falls. They're pet and child friendly. We found out from the friendly desk clerk (she really was nice, I'm not being sarcastic.) that if we drive just a mile or so more there's a McDonald's with a great Playland so that Ty can play and get the kinks out. We do the drive, get our food and Ty enjoys the Playland. Between their trip to Oregon for Christmas and now this trip Ty's been cooped up for significant periods of time. He's been a champ about it, but it's really great when he can play as he's more of a doer than a sitter. He also caught some kind of upper respiratory thing from his Oregon cousins, so that he's in a good mood at all is a blessing.
After Ty's getting ready to go to bed ritual: jammies, teeth brushed, fluoride and book read, it's time for prayer and he's down for the night. We all get comfortable and after Ty's asleep Carynn opens the connecting door and goes to sleep herself. Michael and I settle down (Claire does too) and it's good night for all of us.
We're halfway there!
NS
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Road Trip Preparation
You're probably asking yourself why I'm devoting a post to Road Trip Preparation. Well, it's been a while since we've done a road trip with an elderly dog, our married daughter, her 2 year old son and ourselves. Wait a minute...We've never done a road trip with the aforementioned variables. There definitely was a great deal of thought into the details of packing and preparing for a 1000 mile journey and being away from our home for 4 months.
WHAT TO BRING:
1. Since our return last year from southern Utah I had been accumulating needed items (note this is MY definition of need, it may not be yours or my husband's) in a large plastic covered container. As I'd come across something, I'd pop it in there. The container was getting pretty heavy, so a few weeks before we left I moved the bin to the garage floor. All kinds of miscellaneous items were placed in the bin, and later near and on top of the bin.
2. As we're traveling with a young child we needed items for his comfort, which would also be for our comfort. To rephrase an old saying: When a two-year-old isn't happy then no one's happy. These items included: Portable DVD player and assorted movies; miscellaneous snacks; small toys and books, one blankey and one bear (Elmo). In addition to these items were the necessities-diapers, wipes, and 2 sippy cups (in case one gets temporarily misplaced). We also travelled with an umbrella stroller and brought the jogger so Ty could go on bike rides with us when we got to Utah.
3. Clothing-Since Michael had left some clothes there, he didn't bring quite so many clothes as I did. I left very little there (a robe, some slippers, and a few long sleeved shirts) so I brought quite a bit with me. Between us, we had 1 large suitcase, 1 garment bag, 1 duffle with shoes in it and a garbage sack (easiest way to pack) of jackets and outerwear.
4. Claire's stuff-Since we were traveling with Claire we had items for her comfort as well as her food. We were a bit surprised that she hadn't passed away since she nearly did the week of Melinda and Landan's wedding. She's rallied and so we had her food, an extra bag of her food and her blanket. We also brought her sweater which she hates to wear, but in case it got cold we wanted her to have it. We brought two leashes and because we didn't have room for her dishes, we used plastic ones.
5. Stuff to work on while we're in Utah-Michael brought our scanner so that he could continue the task of scanning all of our photos. He's made great progress, and wants to continue to do so. I brought a sewing machine that Carynn gave me. It's newer than the one I brought down last year. I also included a tote bag of cross stitch kits and yarn and a knitting frameso I could make some knit hats for the Humanitarian group that's very active in Padre Lakes.
5. Small ice chest with sub sandwiches, yogurt, cream cheese and soda pop. In addition to these items I had a tote bag with crackers, granola and raisins for all of us to share.
6. Carynn and Ty's stuff- Besides the things I've already mentioned-Carynn and Ty had one large suitcase and a duffle bag that included his lifejacket.
7. Three bicycles and the bike rack to mount them on the back of the Yukon. Bike helmets, gloves, etc. were tossed in the back.
8. Lest we forget-we each had our carry-on items. Those things of either sentimental or material value, plus what we needed for our planned overnight stop in Idaho Falls that we wanted close at hand. Besides the scanner (see item 5) Michael brought our cameras (digital and video), our laptop, and our ipods. My keep-it-close-to-me bag held Michael's medical info, our bills and other correspondence, my scriptures and whatever I thought of at the last moment to put in there. My purse I kept separately. I'm not exactly sure what was in Carynn and Ty's carry-on but know that it included what they'd need for the two day trip that they didn't want buried in the back with the rest of their clothes, etc.
9. Random stuff like the shovel I threw in just in case we got stuck in snow, an end table to assemble to go along with the rockers that our friends the Billingsleys had kindly dropped off and placed in our garage, the pillows for the rockers and some other decorative items to hang on walls or display.
10. The kitchen sink (Just kidding).
HOW TO FIT IT ALL IN:
I had begun packing the vehicle on Thursday and Friday. I ended up unpacking it on Saturday so we could try to rearrange what was already in there and try to fit it Carynn and Ty's things. If you look over the list again, you'll see that we could either fit the "stuff" in or the people and dog in. I was stressing out when Jamie and Carynn said, "You have a rack on top, why don't you use it?" I dismissed their suggestion because I didn't want to buy an expensive car carrier. They left to get a piece for the DVD player and when they returned with the piece and an expandable soft-sided vinyl roof top carrier; AND it only cost $40.00. I was very relieved and gladly reimbursed them the 40 bucks. We filled the carrier up, Jamie strapped it on top of the Yukon and voila we had enough room in the vehicle for us to sit, maybe not comfortably, but at least we could all fit in. I had had visions of us looking like the Beverly Hillbillies as we drove down the road, so I was very pleased that the only outward signs that we were filled to capacity were the bike rack and the perfectly respectable roof top carrier.
Melinda, Landan and Landan's friend Justin had joined us for dinner that night (we celebrated Melinda's 20th birthday early with one of her favorite meals, plus presents, cake and ice cream) and left late in the evening. Carynn, Jamie and Ty enjoyed the birthday dinner and festivities (Carynn made a yummy cake too) and spent the night so we could get an early start in the morning. I stayed up late working on Melinda and Landan's wedding scrapbook, not done but coming along nicely, and hit the hay very tired, but as ready for our journey as I'd ever be. Michael went to bed earlier than all of us, but stayed awake until I joined him.
Stay tuned for Road Trip Part 1
NS
WHAT TO BRING:
1. Since our return last year from southern Utah I had been accumulating needed items (note this is MY definition of need, it may not be yours or my husband's) in a large plastic covered container. As I'd come across something, I'd pop it in there. The container was getting pretty heavy, so a few weeks before we left I moved the bin to the garage floor. All kinds of miscellaneous items were placed in the bin, and later near and on top of the bin.
2. As we're traveling with a young child we needed items for his comfort, which would also be for our comfort. To rephrase an old saying: When a two-year-old isn't happy then no one's happy. These items included: Portable DVD player and assorted movies; miscellaneous snacks; small toys and books, one blankey and one bear (Elmo). In addition to these items were the necessities-diapers, wipes, and 2 sippy cups (in case one gets temporarily misplaced). We also travelled with an umbrella stroller and brought the jogger so Ty could go on bike rides with us when we got to Utah.
3. Clothing-Since Michael had left some clothes there, he didn't bring quite so many clothes as I did. I left very little there (a robe, some slippers, and a few long sleeved shirts) so I brought quite a bit with me. Between us, we had 1 large suitcase, 1 garment bag, 1 duffle with shoes in it and a garbage sack (easiest way to pack) of jackets and outerwear.
4. Claire's stuff-Since we were traveling with Claire we had items for her comfort as well as her food. We were a bit surprised that she hadn't passed away since she nearly did the week of Melinda and Landan's wedding. She's rallied and so we had her food, an extra bag of her food and her blanket. We also brought her sweater which she hates to wear, but in case it got cold we wanted her to have it. We brought two leashes and because we didn't have room for her dishes, we used plastic ones.
5. Stuff to work on while we're in Utah-Michael brought our scanner so that he could continue the task of scanning all of our photos. He's made great progress, and wants to continue to do so. I brought a sewing machine that Carynn gave me. It's newer than the one I brought down last year. I also included a tote bag of cross stitch kits and yarn and a knitting frameso I could make some knit hats for the Humanitarian group that's very active in Padre Lakes.
5. Small ice chest with sub sandwiches, yogurt, cream cheese and soda pop. In addition to these items I had a tote bag with crackers, granola and raisins for all of us to share.
6. Carynn and Ty's stuff- Besides the things I've already mentioned-Carynn and Ty had one large suitcase and a duffle bag that included his lifejacket.
7. Three bicycles and the bike rack to mount them on the back of the Yukon. Bike helmets, gloves, etc. were tossed in the back.
8. Lest we forget-we each had our carry-on items. Those things of either sentimental or material value, plus what we needed for our planned overnight stop in Idaho Falls that we wanted close at hand. Besides the scanner (see item 5) Michael brought our cameras (digital and video), our laptop, and our ipods. My keep-it-close-to-me bag held Michael's medical info, our bills and other correspondence, my scriptures and whatever I thought of at the last moment to put in there. My purse I kept separately. I'm not exactly sure what was in Carynn and Ty's carry-on but know that it included what they'd need for the two day trip that they didn't want buried in the back with the rest of their clothes, etc.
9. Random stuff like the shovel I threw in just in case we got stuck in snow, an end table to assemble to go along with the rockers that our friends the Billingsleys had kindly dropped off and placed in our garage, the pillows for the rockers and some other decorative items to hang on walls or display.
10. The kitchen sink (Just kidding).
HOW TO FIT IT ALL IN:
I had begun packing the vehicle on Thursday and Friday. I ended up unpacking it on Saturday so we could try to rearrange what was already in there and try to fit it Carynn and Ty's things. If you look over the list again, you'll see that we could either fit the "stuff" in or the people and dog in. I was stressing out when Jamie and Carynn said, "You have a rack on top, why don't you use it?" I dismissed their suggestion because I didn't want to buy an expensive car carrier. They left to get a piece for the DVD player and when they returned with the piece and an expandable soft-sided vinyl roof top carrier; AND it only cost $40.00. I was very relieved and gladly reimbursed them the 40 bucks. We filled the carrier up, Jamie strapped it on top of the Yukon and voila we had enough room in the vehicle for us to sit, maybe not comfortably, but at least we could all fit in. I had had visions of us looking like the Beverly Hillbillies as we drove down the road, so I was very pleased that the only outward signs that we were filled to capacity were the bike rack and the perfectly respectable roof top carrier.
Melinda, Landan and Landan's friend Justin had joined us for dinner that night (we celebrated Melinda's 20th birthday early with one of her favorite meals, plus presents, cake and ice cream) and left late in the evening. Carynn, Jamie and Ty enjoyed the birthday dinner and festivities (Carynn made a yummy cake too) and spent the night so we could get an early start in the morning. I stayed up late working on Melinda and Landan's wedding scrapbook, not done but coming along nicely, and hit the hay very tired, but as ready for our journey as I'd ever be. Michael went to bed earlier than all of us, but stayed awake until I joined him.
Stay tuned for Road Trip Part 1
NS
Happy New Year
As the stake YW presidency was reorganized-Jenna stayed as President, the rest of us were released-my New Year's Eve was freed up from responsibility. A friend invited us over to celebrate and ring in the New Year with the thought that we wouldn't have to ACTUALLY stay at the party until midnight if we didn't want to. The food was great, the company wonderful and yes, we headed home near 10 PM. So true to her promise, our friend had us all do a countdown, we drank sparkling whatever (they had numerous choices-I stuck with apple cider), blew our horns threw our streamers and then headed home. According to one of the other attendees the party broke up around 10:30 PM with another mini-celebration of the New Year before they left.
Michael and I did watch the ball drop at Times Square and both of us were sad that Dick Clark, that perennial teenager, still has communication issues from his stroke a few years back. Part of me applauds his bravery at still participating in the New Year hoopla on a lesser level, another part of me wishes that he wouldn't.
Carynn, Jamie and Ty made it back safely from Medford. As we're leaving for southern Utah on January 3rd (Carynn and Ty with us), the last part of 2009 has been getting ready for our journey. I did say goodbye to a dear friend-Cynthia J. and her family are moving to Logan the first part of January. They'll be missed.
Happy New Year!
NS
Michael and I did watch the ball drop at Times Square and both of us were sad that Dick Clark, that perennial teenager, still has communication issues from his stroke a few years back. Part of me applauds his bravery at still participating in the New Year hoopla on a lesser level, another part of me wishes that he wouldn't.
Carynn, Jamie and Ty made it back safely from Medford. As we're leaving for southern Utah on January 3rd (Carynn and Ty with us), the last part of 2009 has been getting ready for our journey. I did say goodbye to a dear friend-Cynthia J. and her family are moving to Logan the first part of January. They'll be missed.
Happy New Year!
NS
Merry Christmas!
With Carynn, Jamie and Ty going to Medford; Bret and Laura to Salt Lake City and Lynette and her boyfriend Sam staying on the Westside to Christmas with his parents; our only children in town were our newlyweds, Melinda and Landan. They had Christmas Eve with his parents and came to visit us for Christmas. Christmas we were able to speak with everyone else by phone, including Michael's dad in Texas.
We were blessed however to be able to have extended family come visit. My sister Erin, her daughter (Taurie), and my mother arrived around 8:00 PM Christmas night. My sister Karra, her husband Carl and their children: Isaac, Preston, Colton and Kloey were in very late (11 PM) that night too. It was wonderful they could come!
Saturday, the 26th, on Melinda and Landan's recommendation we decided to catch Avatar at the downtown IMAX. We ordered our tickets online for the first showing (11:30 AM) and for Kloey-Carl bit the bullet (usually Colton volunteers) to be Kloey's escort to see the Chipmunk Squeaquel. Those that weren't seeing Avatar opted for Sherlock Holmes. We arrived early for the movie, I picked up the tickets from the pre-order kiosk and after waiting somewhat patiently, everyone arrived and we dispersed to our movies. Avatar ended up selling out so I was so glad that we had pre-ordered our tickets. A good time was had by all.
It being the day after Christmas, traffic was horrendous trying to leave the mall. After the movie we decided to drive to REI, Melinda and Landan (in their car) too. The cousins were going to shop for Isaac (the soon to be missionary) and for sales. Because Michael had snagged a great parking space (on one of the lower levels) we were out fairly quickly. We never ended up meeting up with Melinda and Landan because it took them OVER an hour to get out of the parking garage and our REI stop was brief.
We always like to play games when the cousins come. In this instance we did a repeat of Bananagrams. Landan was a multiple winner as were Erin and Karra. Sadly, though I know many words, I couldn't quite put it together (that's a great pun if you know about Bananagrams), put still had a good time.
Erin and Karra did dinner for Saturday night, Fritoladas. Sunday evening we celebrated Preston's 17th birthday a day early with Chicken Alfredo and Spaghetti. Instead of a traditional birthday cake I made Blueberry Muffin Cake with Vanilla Sauce. Very yummy. I've decided that warm vanilla sauce is one of my favorite things. The recipe is one I got from Tomoko Simons when we lived in California. If she ever writes a cookbook (she has said she'd like to) I'll be first in line to purchase it.
My Uncle Tom's 90th birthday celebration was scheduled for Monday the 28th in Mesa, Arizona. Since we weren't able to be there I called him earlier in the week and arranged for the family to talk to him on Sunday night. We all were able to do that. He's such a good man. He was a wonderful husband to my aunt Georga, who passed away nearly 3 years ago. He remains actively engaged and faithful in all things. As I said, a very good man.
The family started dispersing on Monday. Karra and her family had basketball practice, etc. so they left Monday morning. Erin, Taurie and Mom were able to stay until Tuesday, it was great that they could. It's still hard for me to imagine "little" Taurie a college freshman. My how time flies. Mom wasn't feeling that well for the visit, but enjoyed having everyone around. It was poignant for me as I won't probably be seeing Isaac for a while since he leaves for Brazil on February 10.
Merry Christmas!
NS
We were blessed however to be able to have extended family come visit. My sister Erin, her daughter (Taurie), and my mother arrived around 8:00 PM Christmas night. My sister Karra, her husband Carl and their children: Isaac, Preston, Colton and Kloey were in very late (11 PM) that night too. It was wonderful they could come!
Saturday, the 26th, on Melinda and Landan's recommendation we decided to catch Avatar at the downtown IMAX. We ordered our tickets online for the first showing (11:30 AM) and for Kloey-Carl bit the bullet (usually Colton volunteers) to be Kloey's escort to see the Chipmunk Squeaquel. Those that weren't seeing Avatar opted for Sherlock Holmes. We arrived early for the movie, I picked up the tickets from the pre-order kiosk and after waiting somewhat patiently, everyone arrived and we dispersed to our movies. Avatar ended up selling out so I was so glad that we had pre-ordered our tickets. A good time was had by all.
It being the day after Christmas, traffic was horrendous trying to leave the mall. After the movie we decided to drive to REI, Melinda and Landan (in their car) too. The cousins were going to shop for Isaac (the soon to be missionary) and for sales. Because Michael had snagged a great parking space (on one of the lower levels) we were out fairly quickly. We never ended up meeting up with Melinda and Landan because it took them OVER an hour to get out of the parking garage and our REI stop was brief.
We always like to play games when the cousins come. In this instance we did a repeat of Bananagrams. Landan was a multiple winner as were Erin and Karra. Sadly, though I know many words, I couldn't quite put it together (that's a great pun if you know about Bananagrams), put still had a good time.
Erin and Karra did dinner for Saturday night, Fritoladas. Sunday evening we celebrated Preston's 17th birthday a day early with Chicken Alfredo and Spaghetti. Instead of a traditional birthday cake I made Blueberry Muffin Cake with Vanilla Sauce. Very yummy. I've decided that warm vanilla sauce is one of my favorite things. The recipe is one I got from Tomoko Simons when we lived in California. If she ever writes a cookbook (she has said she'd like to) I'll be first in line to purchase it.
My Uncle Tom's 90th birthday celebration was scheduled for Monday the 28th in Mesa, Arizona. Since we weren't able to be there I called him earlier in the week and arranged for the family to talk to him on Sunday night. We all were able to do that. He's such a good man. He was a wonderful husband to my aunt Georga, who passed away nearly 3 years ago. He remains actively engaged and faithful in all things. As I said, a very good man.
The family started dispersing on Monday. Karra and her family had basketball practice, etc. so they left Monday morning. Erin, Taurie and Mom were able to stay until Tuesday, it was great that they could. It's still hard for me to imagine "little" Taurie a college freshman. My how time flies. Mom wasn't feeling that well for the visit, but enjoyed having everyone around. It was poignant for me as I won't probably be seeing Isaac for a while since he leaves for Brazil on February 10.
Merry Christmas!
NS
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Relax!
Carynn tells me that "Relax" is one of Ty's new favorite words. He uses it when he's trying to get his mom or someone else to stop what they're doing and do something with him.
I had found this little wooden sign that said "Relax" (78 cents)at Michael's craft store in their clearance aisle. I love to go cruising for treasure at Michael's clearance aisle. I had put the little sign away with my potential gifts in the sewing room. Of course after what Carynn told me I had to get it and give it to Ty, which I did last week. He likes it. Last Saturday he was carrying it around at his house.
So follow Ty's advice this busy time of year and RELAX!
Love,
NS
I had found this little wooden sign that said "Relax" (78 cents)at Michael's craft store in their clearance aisle. I love to go cruising for treasure at Michael's clearance aisle. I had put the little sign away with my potential gifts in the sewing room. Of course after what Carynn told me I had to get it and give it to Ty, which I did last week. He likes it. Last Saturday he was carrying it around at his house.
So follow Ty's advice this busy time of year and RELAX!
Love,
NS
Tunnels and Tents
Last week Michael and I stopped off at Carynn and Jamie's for a quick visit as we were out and about in the valley. We invited ourselves to lunch enjoying some delicious left over stew (Thank you Carynn!).
After lunch we all decided to take naps, pretend naps. Michael was already laying on the floor (He wasn't feel too perky-all those medical issues that we're addressing right now.), Carynn was sitting in their overstuffed chair and I was on the couch. Ty decided he'd take his pretend nap with Papa. He shared his stuffed bear (not Elmo, but another one) for Papa's pillow. Carynn threw the throw over them and we (and Ty) made our pretend sleep noises. Picture how they do that on cartoons. That was our version. So after pretend naps it was time to play in the tunnel.
I thought we were playing in a tent not a tunnel. Let me explain...Whenever our children would throw a blanket, quilt or sheet over themselves or a table, etc. we always called that a "tent." Well Ty calls it a tunnel and he said that when we pulled the throw over our heads. So he played in the tunnel and I laid in the tunnel. All for about ten seconds.
What fun!
NS
After lunch we all decided to take naps, pretend naps. Michael was already laying on the floor (He wasn't feel too perky-all those medical issues that we're addressing right now.), Carynn was sitting in their overstuffed chair and I was on the couch. Ty decided he'd take his pretend nap with Papa. He shared his stuffed bear (not Elmo, but another one) for Papa's pillow. Carynn threw the throw over them and we (and Ty) made our pretend sleep noises. Picture how they do that on cartoons. That was our version. So after pretend naps it was time to play in the tunnel.
I thought we were playing in a tent not a tunnel. Let me explain...Whenever our children would throw a blanket, quilt or sheet over themselves or a table, etc. we always called that a "tent." Well Ty calls it a tunnel and he said that when we pulled the throw over our heads. So he played in the tunnel and I laid in the tunnel. All for about ten seconds.
What fun!
NS
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Happy Thanks-Christmas!
It was our turn to have the children celebrate Thanksgiving with us this year as they had celebrated Christmas with us last year. All's fair, etc., etc. So here's how the scheduling went:
Carynn, Jamie and Ty live in town so no problem
Melinda and Landan live in town so no problem
Lynette and boyfriend Sam took off work so no problem
Bret and Laura had Thanksgiving off so no problem
So with so many no problems-how did it all work? Well, becyond the plans made there is the actual reality. So this is how it REALLY worked:
Bret and Laura both had to work on Black Friday so that meant that it wasn't worth it for them to drive 5 hours on Wednesday night (or Thursday morning) to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday and then go back Thursday night so we opted to do Thanksgiving on Saturday instead of Friday.
Lynette and Sam decided that since Bret and Laura weren't coming over until Saturday, that they'd drive over Friday afternoon/evening and therefore spent Thanksgiving itself with friends.
Since we weren't going to do Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving, Melinda and Landan had Thanksgiving dinner with Landan's parents.
Michael and I joined Carynn, Jamie and Ty for an "alternative" Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving. We had cornish game hens, rice pilaf, asparagus with hollandaise sauce and yummy pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.
So Saturday we had our combined Thanks-Christmas. (We'd already decided that we'd do our Christmas gift exchange over Thanksgiving. Here was the schedule:
Friday night: Lynette, Sam and doggies Sammy and Daisey arrive
Early Saturday afternoon: Bret and Laura arrive
3:00 PM All are at our home for family pictures. Photo session wasn't very long as Ty's patience wasn't very long.
4:15 PM Traditional Thanksgiving dinner with everyone helping to either cook, set up, clean up or eat!
5:30 PM Decorating the Christmas tree
6:00 PM Opening Christmas gifts-We started with Ty's gifts as his bedtime is early.
7:00 PM (or son) Time for Ty to go to bed, we finish opening gifts.
Later on-We all enjoyed pumpkin pie or cheesecake, watching movies (UP and Cars), I was the recipient of a pedicure (Bliss!)Bret helped Michael on his computer and in general we were ALL in the same place, at the same time for about 12 plus hours.
It was short, it was sweet, but it was great! (It's also "weird" to be done with Christmas shopping so early. I kind of like it. It totally turns the focus to other things. Perhaps we should do this every year!
Happy Thanks-Christmas to all!
NS
Carynn, Jamie and Ty live in town so no problem
Melinda and Landan live in town so no problem
Lynette and boyfriend Sam took off work so no problem
Bret and Laura had Thanksgiving off so no problem
So with so many no problems-how did it all work? Well, becyond the plans made there is the actual reality. So this is how it REALLY worked:
Bret and Laura both had to work on Black Friday so that meant that it wasn't worth it for them to drive 5 hours on Wednesday night (or Thursday morning) to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday and then go back Thursday night so we opted to do Thanksgiving on Saturday instead of Friday.
Lynette and Sam decided that since Bret and Laura weren't coming over until Saturday, that they'd drive over Friday afternoon/evening and therefore spent Thanksgiving itself with friends.
Since we weren't going to do Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving, Melinda and Landan had Thanksgiving dinner with Landan's parents.
Michael and I joined Carynn, Jamie and Ty for an "alternative" Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving. We had cornish game hens, rice pilaf, asparagus with hollandaise sauce and yummy pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.
So Saturday we had our combined Thanks-Christmas. (We'd already decided that we'd do our Christmas gift exchange over Thanksgiving. Here was the schedule:
Friday night: Lynette, Sam and doggies Sammy and Daisey arrive
Early Saturday afternoon: Bret and Laura arrive
3:00 PM All are at our home for family pictures. Photo session wasn't very long as Ty's patience wasn't very long.
4:15 PM Traditional Thanksgiving dinner with everyone helping to either cook, set up, clean up or eat!
5:30 PM Decorating the Christmas tree
6:00 PM Opening Christmas gifts-We started with Ty's gifts as his bedtime is early.
7:00 PM (or son) Time for Ty to go to bed, we finish opening gifts.
Later on-We all enjoyed pumpkin pie or cheesecake, watching movies (UP and Cars), I was the recipient of a pedicure (Bliss!)Bret helped Michael on his computer and in general we were ALL in the same place, at the same time for about 12 plus hours.
It was short, it was sweet, but it was great! (It's also "weird" to be done with Christmas shopping so early. I kind of like it. It totally turns the focus to other things. Perhaps we should do this every year!
Happy Thanks-Christmas to all!
NS
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