Xmasing

Xmas Eve morning I was up at 740a. Mindy didn't ask for coffee and come to think of it, didn't budge. Little wonder. She was up extra late the night before. I started a pot of Starbucks then whipped out my calisthenics. It was cloudy and 28 degrees. Expecting a high of 29 with an inch of snow developing later in the evening. I took Frankie out just after 8a. Despite being outside for an extra long time, she only peed. I think she was distracted for a minute or two after seeing her brother Woody and Molly outside. inside, I enjoyed a cup of coffee while playing around on the internet. I could hear Mindy stirring upstairs around 830a. She was downstairs shortly thereafter. We had a busy day ahead with brothers, daughters, parents grand kids, and neighbors. We planned to have a lot of fun. I left for a run around 9a. I ran the full 4.1 miles, the whole time taking in the spirit of Xmas. As soon as I was back home I placed the Thule on top of the Honda. Because our driveway is on a significant incline, I decided to pull the road where it's more level before placing it atop the vehicle. Aside from watching for oncoming traffic, that made the job so much easier and doable with one person. It then occurred to me that I might as well load our skis saving us the trouble later. It took some doing but I was able to get all five pair in the carrier. Glad that was done. Inside, Glenn was just getting up. Not sure what Mindy was doing. I think she was already prepping the meat for our taco bar. Next, with Glenn's help, I spent a little time making an anti- Justin Bieber Spray label to cover a can of silly string. This to fulfill one of Jacob's Xmas wishes. I needed to fetch Kaileigh at 130p. I thought I'd be picking up Lindsey and the boys, too, but after a call to confirm I learned that Ashley agreed to bring them. I helped Mindy get the house ready and took a shower over the next hour or two. It was time to fetch Kaileigh in a hurry. I left the house at 110p. Visited briefly with Joey, Shelly, Sienna ,Kaileigh, and her great uncle Charlie who was up from Alabama with a banjo on his knee. Roll tide! Left for home after ten minutes. Kaileigh and I chat during the drive home, laughing about a number of things. She's getting so big. As we were pulling up in front of the house, so was Ashley and all the others. Perfect timing. As expected, Rocky was all about opening his Xmas presents. Must've asked five or six times. Wanted to wait for the others to arrive first. The kids played and the adults talked. I started drinking Jack Daniels once I was cleared of any further driving responsibilities. Dad, Mom, Tommy and Wally arrived around 3p. The taco/burrito bar was a big hit, although a couple of the kids opted instead for chicken & noodles. That was fine. They needed eaten up. We opened gifts near 4p. Instead of the usual free for all, Mindy took charge and suggested we begin with the grandkids targeting one at a time. That worked well. Kaileigh, being the oldest, went first. Needless to say, she was very happy with her American Girl doll. Not sure who went next, Olivia, Rocky, or Landon. But all four g-kids were excited with their gifts. When it was all said and done we had gifted everyone. No one left out or forgotten. Fun. Ashley & Olivia gifted Mindy & I a Dick's gift card and a picture. Kaileigh gave us some lovely pictures and a Bath & Body candle. Ashley & Stephen were the first to depart having other holiday obligations. Shelly & Joey arrived to fetch Kaileigh around 530p. We gifted them as well, along with Sienna. I've got to admit, I started getting a pretty good buzz going early evening. Jack Daniels cuts through just about everything! Mindy took Lindsey & the boys home. And when she got back home it wasn't long before Kenny, Chrissy & family arrived. We had al o just talked with Tom Clark in the phone. He and his sister and her husband were stopping by. Great! Hadn't seen Tom since the Wisconsin game. We did a gift exchange with the neighbors. Chrissy & Kenny gifted me a Sony Blu-Ray player. Wow! They gifted Mindy the Longaberger salad plates to match the set I bought for her. We partied with the neighbors and friends until 1030p. Fairly wild Xmas eve. After everyone left it became more traditional-like. We prepped Santa's cookie plate and tucked the kids into bed. then did the Santa thing. As midnight approached, we tuned into the Xmas mass live from St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and starring the pope. Wow! Nobody puts on a Xmas performance quite like these guys, Nobody! Not even Mannheim. Before it was over I stuffed stockings for both Mindy & Glenn then headed to bed. It had to be near 1a.