Christmas 2011

Christmas was a day late at our house. We continued the tradion of doing it the morning after Christmas. After a hardy breakfast of eggs and french toast casserole, we ran to claim our spots. (We didn't really run, but thought I would throw that in!)
Catherine was Grandpa's helper. She not only handed out gifts he gave her, she decided to speed the process up and hand a few out on her own! That's what happens when you teach these kids to read! Here she is giving Aunt Jena a gift from her and Mary.

Jena, Tommy and Lyla.

I really enjoyed watching Mike and Chris trying to open all the packaging and put the toys together. It brings back so many memories of us doing it. And so glad we don't have to anymore!

Cousins

Amber received a new 50mm lens for her camera and is on the lookout for willing subjects.




It was a very nice Christmas. It's wonderful to be able to get all the kids and grandkids together at least once a year. Happy New Year!

Christmas at Callaways

Our annual Christmas Eve at the Callaways commenced at exactly 6:30pm. Copious amounts(if that means LOTS)of shrimp, bagel bites, smokies, cheese, crackers and cheesecake were consumed. Then everyone ran to claim their seats. We didn't really run, because we all sit in the exact same spots year after year.

Matt claimed the crazy chair.

Mike actually stold my chair. He hasn't been here the last 4 or 5 years and apparently thinks he can sit where ever he wants!

Chris allowed Sunny to join him on the couch last year and this year Olivia got to sit there too!


After gifts were opened Mike took the challenge from Trevor to play a new version of the board game Stratego. Uncle Mike was also a good catcher. Several times Olivia went backwards, but Uncle Mike caught her before she bonked her head.

Now she's just showing off. She can put her face on the floor in this postion. I'm going to take her to my Yoga class!

All Olivia

We've taken lots of pictures of Olivia over the last few days. Here are a few for your viewing enjoyment!

Dinner and Lights

Wednesday evening we decided to eat dinner in downtown St Louis and go to the small park and look at lights. We met Mike and the kids there. The restaurant, Baileys Range, was a two story place and we were on the 2nd floor. It had floor to ceiling windows which fascinated the kids. They spent a large amount of time with their faces pressed up against the window looking at the traffic below.

Mike is shocked at his fathers wisdom.

They are both shocked at something the kids are doing!

City Park had giant balls on the ground that changed colors.


A very large tree that is actually made of many small trees.

A classic view of the Old Courthouse and the Arch.

And if you're all about the Occupy Protesters, you'll love the many signs they stuck in the tree. Not the kind of Christmas decorations I was looking for, but you have to admire their agility to climb this very large tree to shove their sign in.

Snowman

Mike and the kids came over Sunday for dinner and football. Catherine, Mary and I decided to make glass snowmen.



While they dried, time was taken to read a quick story.

Tada!!!

Look Grandma!

Look Grandma! I found a musical dog.

I can poke his eyes!

I can pull his ears!

I can pull his carrot nose!

I can poke his nose!

I can wring his neck!

Can I do it again? and again? and again?

Trip update

Steve and I made a quick shopping/Christmas trip out of town this past weekend. We climbed in the old SUV (which is getting a lot of miles on it by the way) and headed southeast. First stop was Opryland (see previous post). Then on to Atlanta.

The view outside our hotel in Atlanta was beautful. We were overlooking Centennial Park. It was 75 degrees outside. The Christmas lights in the park were sparkling. There were horses pulling carriages all evening. It was magical.

And of course a trip wouldn't be complete without a few....

geocaches!!!

On our way home we stopped in Chattanooga for a little exercise. We didn't go into any of their attractions, but we walked all around them. Maybe next time when we don't have to rush back home we can stay longer. This is a glass bridge over the highway. It leads to their art museum.

the art museum

the aquarium

A fun piece of sculpture by the aquarium (notice it is mimicing a wave coming over the railraod tracks). These crazy artists!

Opryland

Steve and I visited Opryland this week. The outside was just beautiful. It had lots and lots of lights. There was a giant nativity scene with a speaker going that was reading the story of Jesus birth from the book of Luke. There were horses pulling carriages and an untold number of poinsettias. We ate dinner inside at one of the many restaurants they have. It was Irish. Steve had bangers and mash. I ordered an appetizer of shirred eggs. Pretty good! Just be sure and bring your pocket book. Everything there was pricey. Including the parking!