Jenny and David arrived a few days before Christmas, giving us time to enjoy some games.
Group PicturesChristmas DayExtended Family PartyCookiesSnow |
Jenny and David arrived a few days before Christmas, giving us time to
enjoy some games.
Jenny practiced her snow-driving skills, and showed off her new Subaru,
on a Costco and Marc's run.
Some over-ripe bananas resulted in yummy banana bread, compliments of Jenny and David.
The 20-lb brisket ready to go in the oven. We slow-roasted it for 18 hours.
It made for an easy dinner on the 25th while going back and forth to the airport.
Jenny and David collaborate on homemade cinnamon rolls.
They're all here! Lisa arrived in time for dinner on the 25th,
and the Leóns got in
later that evening.
It had been a tough trip for Nayla. She got sick on the first flight
from San Jose to Denver. They used their 3-hour layover to clean up, change
Nayla, buy new clothes for her parents to change into, and call us to
discuss options. We encouraged them to come if they could, instead of
getting a hotel in Denver. Fortunately, Nayla felt a bit better on
the second flight, and was doing better by the time she got to the house.
Hi Uncle Roger!
We're ready for boxing day.
Memento of a hike in the Muir Woods in 2016 when Anne went to San Jose for 2 weeks
to help with Nayla daycare.
We celebrated Christmas as our immediate family on the 26th, and regrouped on the
27th. The Freys joined us for a simple dinner of leftover brisket, mac & cheese,
and applesauce. They had just driven from Allentown, and would be staying
at a rental house in Peninsula, along with the Florida Coopers, who also
dropped in later after they arrived in town.
Olivia chills with Sam and Parker.
Nayla likes doing puzzles with Uncle David.
And Grandma.
Lisa coordinated a big family expedition to play lazer tag as a gift for Roger.
After consultation with the 'matriarchs' (Aunt Laurie, Aunt Beth, Aunt Carol, and Anne),
she set up the event for the evening of the extended family party.
I had planned to watch the small fry for Sarah, but it worked out better for
Sarah, Carol, and I to all stay with Nayla and Olivia while the rest of the
group zapped each other. We could peak through the viewing window, but
the lighting made watching a bit tricky. Nayla enjoyed an ice cream sandwich, and
very kindly shared with Olivia.
Morning of the 29th: we're hosting a cookie-decorating party after lunch and the
dishwasher decides to flood. We quickly turned it off and Glen saw that a
connector hose had failed. He got a new one when dropping off the Subaru for
what turned out to be an axle replacement, and soon the dishwasher was available
again. The car took a bit longer.
casual spaghetti dinner after spending all afternoon
doing cookies.
Kelsey gets a turn with Olivia.
naptime after playing in the snow.
Jenny and David had pulled their car into the garage overnight to make
it less trouble to leave on the 30th.
Lots of loot for the people who aren't traveling carry-on this year.
Off they go, into the snow.
It started snowing harder.
The band of heaviest snow was right over I-80.
Jenny and David made it as far as 480 (Streetsboro) and decided to turn around.
Driving conditions were awful. They came back via 480 and 82, rather than the turnpike.
So we had a chance to play another round of Dominion while they de-stressed and waited
for the snow to slow down.
Try 2: they left again before dinner, and made it safely home late that night.
Nayla, a fellow popcorn fiend.
A traditional puzzle for New Year's Eve.
Nayla and Grandma do a New Year's Eve puzzle.
Nayla gets another peek at her special ABC book.
The Leóns are ready to head to the airport.
Lisa had left very early that morning. Christmas is wrapping up.
