The Upstairs Christmas 2013

Although Christmas celebrations on Mockingbird Lane may not always be on Christmas, this year the family actually gathered on December 25 to open presents. As usual, our Christmas was not as usual. Restoration of the lower level is not yet complete so all the festivities (and trees and decorations and presents) were upstairs.

The change in venue didn't change spirits. Paper was torn and ribbons saved as we opened presents. My best gift was a shop vac from Rodney along with professional-grade accessories. Andrew's best was the last one he found under the Christmas tree after we all searched for it in the discarded wrapping paper. Adam got the worst present: a book that was the same as one that I had given him last year. Ooops! I did the same in 2012.

The revised configuration for sleeping arrangements turned out great. Andrew chose to set up the new air mattress downstairs and Adam opted to sleep on the upstairs living room couch. Both boys were handy the next morning to help Rodney move out some of his drying equipment for transport back to Kansas.

Barney and Dorothy came over on the 26th for my left-overs....crackers, dips, and the traditional sloppy joes. The next night, I went to their house for their traditional left-overs...ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, and hot rolls.

Regardless of the time or place, sharing time with family is what makes Christmas.

After'mas 2012

We celebrated Christmas here a few days after Dec. 25 because the Kansas side had full schedules and because Christmas spirit has no date limits for festivites. After dinner, and a surprise visit from Sally Ann Pippett Tietz and Aunt Dorothy, we opened presents. Conversations past midnight made early morning wake-ups the next day not so early. But, Rodney and I had time for our traditional chat while the others pulled themselves together for the trip home.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2012

I went to Dorothy and Barney's Christmas Eve to open presents. Then went there for dinner Christmas Day. (Ham, yummy sweet potatoes, green beans, cresent rolls) In the afternoon, Dot and I visited sister Norma. The streets near her place were thick with ice. SCAREY!

Best Christmas Ever 2011

This year we were able to celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25. No blizzard interference so we took our time and relaxed. Andrew and Elizabeth headed back to Lawrence around 1 am. Kelly, Rodney and I stayed up until 4:30am talking and spent most of the next day in conversation while Adam and Heather slept.

House Lighting

Simple and minimal this year.

December Holidays

I had Christmas Day dinner and New Year's Day dinner at Barney and Dorothy's. For Christmas dinner, Dot fixed a ham, scalloped potatoes and a green bean casserole (da best!). For New Year's dinner, I brought turkey, sweet potatoes and baked potatoes all cooked in crock pots.

Dot and I think we will make a tradition out of my cooking and her setting the table for the first dinner of the new year.

Christmas 2.10

After waiting a year to get together to open presents, we gathered Dec. 23 for Christmas 2.10 (two Christmases in 2010). Some presents were a bit outdated, such as Russell Stover creams from 2009 and calendars for 2010; but items such as martini glasses, vodka and $$$ didn't suffer from Christmas lag. And, several gifts were new, including a red robe that was a last minute find after a 14 month search.