14 of the kids were here either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, or both. (Aaron is in Phoenix, and Abigail in Delaware). Emily brought Paul's trumpet back, Margaret tried it...Tenny was intrigued.
Home, and time to get those cookies baked. Suzanne came for a visit, we had ribs. I made them in the Instant pot because I was baking cookies. 26 minutes, I think, rubbed with salt and pepper, doused with vinegar and brown sugar, with some bbq sauce too. I cooked two racks, cut in half, standing up, with the rack in the bottom. Then, ten minutes or so in the oven on broil, with extra sauce...oh yum.
Yesterday, we frosted those cookies, made meatballs, got them into the crockpot with sauce, and Paul made venison chili. I made a five pound batch of fudge, and we cleaned up the house. We had charcuterie, we had chicken biryani, mozzarella sticks, air fried cheese curds, cookies, and all sorts of snacks.
When the families went home, we settled in for our Secret Santa, Jonathan got me, a new bookcase! We stayed up too late and played some funny games, and laughed our heads off. This morning came too quickly. Evelyn spent the night, and we had a quiet Christmas morning. I got an Always Pan, a really nice frying/sauteeing/oven-safe pan, from Sonja and Abigail. I also got a really nice Aura picture frame that Bluetooths pics from your camera roll, and displays them...you can change the settings from one minute, to ten minute intervals, load tons of pics on it...it's a nice picture frame too...from Evelyn. I got new spatulas, a book, a mug tree from Hearth and Hand, and some new mugs.
Jon got a new espresso machine, so that was fun...Paul got a soda stream to make our own seltzer. The girls got clothes, and a new desk chair for Camille, a laptop desk for Char, along with a huge suitcase and a matching carryon. They got hair things and socks and mittens and hats and scarves and and and. They're all set to leave for Norway in the morning. They packed today, weighed the checked bag, and got it under fifty pounds. They have their passports, and a note that says they can travel with Emily and Mariel (just the two girls, Jon is 19). Sonja isn't going, she has to work.
Margaret will be staying here with the two boys, so I had better get to bed and get some sleep. It was a busy day. Food and messes and cleaning up, but so absolutely nice, loved it all. Emily, Benjamin and Ashley with Anya, Elise, Declan, Mariel, Joseph and Bethany, Molly and Josh with Lydia, Ophelia, Denzel, Sam and Grace with Grant, Ruth, Maeve, Margaret and Adrian with Wulf, Tennyson, Blythe, Kathryn and Darius with Achilles, Rhys, Jamison, Evelyn, Suzanne and Zech, Sonja, Jonathan, Charlotte Claire, and Camille...with Paul and I...38. And....good night.
10 comments:
What a beautiful Christmas!!!! Wishing you a happy New Year!
Hi there Della!
It really sounds like a magical day!! The pictures are just wonderful. I’m so glad you had such a lovely time with so many family members.
We had a great time too and the best present of all was that my grandson made a surprise visit from Victoria!! His dad knew but none of the rest of us did. I couldn’t stop hugging him. We were at my daughter’s for Christmas dinner and we played a board game after and it was great fun!!
Enjoy your day! 😊
Marilyn from Canada 🇨🇦
How fun to see your Christmas pictures, Della! All those sweet children, and lots of good aunties and uncles to cuddle and spoil them. Every child should be so lucky. :) Mine got spoiled too; they have quality aunts and uncles on both sides. :) Best wishes for a safe trip for your young people!
Joy from Salem
I’ve been reading and enjoying your blog from almost its beginning. I think you put the wrong granddaughter’s name with Grant’s family. Maybe not, so many people to keep track of…what a wonderful conundrum!
I loved this post and all the photos. I was trying to imagine the sounds, Della. Laughter, talking, little ones wanting attention... awesomeness!! Thanks for sharing!
Linda, thank you! Happy New Year!
Marilyn, so glad you were surprised for your grandson's visit, what fun. :)
Joy, those good aunts and uncles are just golden. :).
Anonymous: you ae absolutely right, I went and changed it, ha. Thank you! :)
What a great few days! I could not imagine having a house that full. We make ribs the same way and they are oh so good!
Jim & Barb, it can be a little crazy sometimes, but overall, it's amazing. The ribs, I was surprised how good they were! I tend to be almost afraid of the instant pot, ha, but it's not so bad when you get more used to it.
Hello! I am finally sitting down to get around and visit my friends here! I felt so much joy reading your post today, my friend! I simply adore your family! It gives me hope for the future! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
I started reading your blog when you I didn’t have any grandchildren. I love your post and your blog. All your grandchildren what a blessing. Happy new year! From Orlando Darla
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