Christmas 2022

We had a marvelous Christmas this year. 

We continued our tradition of having Skylee stay with us on December 23. This year Anna Holly joined us. Skylee and Anna Holly both brought mats that they set up in the room that we are using for Alison's office. Once they had their beds set up we commenced with the festivities of the day. We made two flavors of Salt and Straw ice cream - Vanilla and Chocolate Peppermint. We were just going to make Chocolate Peppermint, but Anna Holly wanted Vanilla and it is so simple that we thought we should make that one too. 

Anna Holly sampling some vanilla ice cream

The evening did turn into a bit of a rodeo. We took the kids downstairs and I read a couple of books to them and got them tucked in around 9:30. Then between 9:30pm and 11:30pm it was like a game of whack a mole. There was an unending plethora of reasons they couldn't sleep. Finally, at 11:30pm Skylee came into the kitchen leading Anna Holly, and told us Anna Holly was hungry. We made the kids some eggs and finally got them to go to sleep at about midnight. 

The following day we woke up and I made sourdough pancakes. They were big, fluffy, and soft. It was a big hit. The girls were really excited to try some of the sparkle syrup we got from some friends for Christmas (maple syrup with sparkles in it). Skylee also shared some huckleberry syrup with me. 

After breakfast, Alison and Anna Holly worked on some holiday baking. They made orange rolls for Christmas morning and dinner rolls for Christmas eve. The kids talked me into joining them in the playroom to play with them. Skylee had a very serious game of restaurant going and was a bit perturbed when Anna Holly and I insisted on being very silly. Eventually, the game devolved into an epic pillow fight and everyone was happy. 

In the afternoon Alison's family participated in a service project. Recently Alison's parents were put into contact with a family that immigrated to the United States. They have very few possessions. Aleene and Blake and Debbie gave them some of the excess furniture from their recent moves. Blake used his trailer and helped them load and deliver the furniture to their apartment. It was a good thing to do on Christmas Eve. 

Our Christmas Eve dinner was excellent as always. This year we made a prime rib and had all of our favorite sides - rolls, potato casserole, and asparagus. I prepared special rolls for Anna Holly and Skylee. When I was a kid my grandma Pat used to bake bread every week. She would take some of the dough and make a special roll for me if I was around. She would let me put some sprinkles on top. It is a really special memory for me. I put some sprinkles (and chocolate chips, per Anna Holly's request) on two rolls. The girls loved them and I loved carrying on one of my most meaningful childhood traditions. 

After dinner, we had warm peppermint brownies with our homemade Salt and Straw ice cream. Both the vanilla and chocolate peppermint ice cream were delicious. The ice cream was especially delicious served on top of the warm brownies. This could become a Christmas Eve staple. 

Anna Holly ate quickly. She was so excited to tell me she was done because she wanted me to play school with her and Skylee. I had her wait patiently while Skylee and I finished dinner and then dessert. When we were both done Anna Holly was so excited for us all to play. Skylee was the teacher and Anna Holly and I played the role of disruptive students. I showed Anna Holly how much fun it could be to turn the lights on and off. She loved that and would howl with laughter while Skylee was trying to restore order. At one point while the lights were off Anna Holly's purse disappeared and our game of school evolved into a mystery thriller where we tried to uncover the thief. I love my nieces. 

We all headed back upstairs so Anna Holly and Skylee could check on Santa's progress in delivering gifts worldwide. The girls were particularly excited when they saw Santa visiting one of the places some of us have visited this year (Dubai - Kristin and Dan, Dublin - Blake and Debbie, Iceland - Eric and Alison). 

Before the evening wrapped up Skylee wanted to have a talent show. Skylee and Alison have been working on the song "Christmas Time is Here", which they performed for us. Then Anna Holly wanted to sing "Let it Go" and "Away in a Manger". Dan told a dad joke. Blake read "The Night Before Christmas". This is one of our most consistent Christmas traditions. 

Blu photobombing our family picture

Then Kristin and Dan whisked their kids away to get them into bed before Santa came. While Blake, Debbie, Aleene, Alison, and I retired to the living room to visit late into the night. Aleene graced us with some stories about her life growing up. She told us about Christmas memories and some of the vacations she took growing up. We also delved into some family history and pulled up Newspapers.com and looked up interesting articles about our loved ones until we were all tired and it was time for bed. 

On Christmas morning we woke up and ate delicious orange rolls. Alison always makes them on Christmas Eve so that we can enjoy them first thing on Christmas morning. This year Christmas morning was a little different than in years past. We didn't get together with Alison's family first thing, instead, we all did our own thing. Alison and I did our gift exchange. Alison got me some things I want to put in my office next year - an hourglass and three books of mythology that all have beautiful covers. She also got me a flying orb ball and a Shutterfly book she made called "Eric in the Wild". The book is full of pictures she has taken of me taking pictures over the years. It is so great. I gave Alison some new Yankees shirts, a double-sided puzzle of the cats and dogs of Disney, a book about sourdough baking, and a memorial music box to remember CC. 

A little later in the morning, we stopped by Kristin and Dan's to see what the girls got for Christmas. They had many gifts they loved, but their favorite may have been the bounce house that was set up in their kitchen. Anna Holly kept summoning me over to play with her in the bounce house. 

Then we returned to Blake and Debbie's house for our traditional Christmas breakfast of aebleskivers, breakfast casserole, and bacon. After breakfast, we had our family gift exchange.

Anna Holly realizes we have a big family and it will be a while until she gets to open another present 

In the afternoon Alison and I stopped by my grandparent's house. Their party was a little smaller than in years past. As the family has grown the party is evolving and fewer people make it on Christmas day. We enjoyed spending some time with my grandparents and other members of my family. 

When Alison and I got back in the evening we decided to start her puzzle. We went with the cats of Disney side first. Turns out double-sided puzzles have an added layer of complexity because both sides have a design. It made this 1,000-piece puzzle that much harder. It is going to take us a few days to finish.

It was an excellent Christmas holiday spent with the people we love.