Well, its been a crazy month and holiday season. You saw that Billy had a great birthday. The Tuesday before Christmas it was 45 degrees, Billy actually went biking with his friends and then... the next day we had a HUGE blizzard. It took Tracy 90 minutes to get home from work and Tom got tboned in Kay's Jeep. Thank god he was driving the jeep and not his car otherwise he would have been really hurt. The jeep is tank and totally modular so...its going to be fairly easy to fix. Of course Kay was quite upset but...I do think she's thinking hard about how to get some parts upgraded with the insurance money.
Christmas Eve Eve was all about homemade soup and staying out of the storm. Jimmy played in 2 worship services that night and we convinced him not to come home due to how bad the roads were. He stayed at another bandmates home 2 blocks away and was also glad he didn't try to drive in it. He was also pretty cute, he said "He's like a real grownup. He's 30 and its his own townhouse!"
Christmas Eve the roads were slightly better but still fairly treacherous. Jimmy played in the 9, 11, 10 and midnight services and managed to get home around 2:30am - exhausted. We went to the 11 service and it was awesome to see him drum. The worship band is SO talented and they played a ton of carols. I'm sure the kids didnt know the words to most, which is a generational fail. Growing up singing carols in school every year at least gave Tom and I a hearty catalog of songs we know by heart. Dinner was heavy appetizers and we watched Elf in front of the fire.
We agreed that Christmas Day was going to start at the crack of Noon. This gave the kids time to sleep in and gave Tom time to visit his Dad and make him a really good venison hash breakfast. Not to mention beating him in cribbage 2 out of 3. Tracy shoveled the whole back patio with the hopes of a fire and then got organized for the weekend. (laundry, etc)
We had cinnamon rolls and stockings followed by presents. There was a Manitowoc Minute, VMI and pet theme running through all the gifts.
Kay and Billy, for the 1st year ever, planning and got their own gifts. And, man were they sweet!
Kay found an artist online and had them do a sketch of Nikki. I can't wait to see it. Still trying to decide the best place to hang it so that we can all enjoy it.
Billy ordered a photo canvas print of Maui that's equally as sweet. I want to hang them together so will need to figure that out. So proud of my kids generosity, kindness and thoughfulness.
Jimmy gave everyone VMI gear, including all of Tracy's family.
Tracy got a Manitowoc Minute calendar and Sconnie state flag. She's beyond thrilled!
Maui got a new winter coat and boots. He is NOT thrilled about his gifts and his 1st walk was semi-successful. He at least made it all the way.
Tom was happy as a clam cooking up a storm the whole weekend. We definitely ate well!
It was relaxing and fun and low key until it wasn't. Between the car and her disappointment that she didnt get everything on her Christmas list (very typical pattern of way too high of expectations followed by disappointment that it didnt turn out exactly as she imagined) Then...dinner was delayed by 20 minutes do to the "puff pastry fiasco" and that launched her into the 3 meltdown in 3 days. to call these meltdowns is an understatement. Throwing out her present, breaking her lamp, laying on the floor in uncontrollable tears. Its so hard to watch and be a part of. Mainly because I can't image how hard it must be to feel that way for her. It just breaks our hearts. However, we are trying to follow the advice we gave her. 1 thing going wrong doesn't need to ruin all the good. So, trying to stay focused on the good parts like her amazing gift, the giggles at Maui in booties, the wonderful food, etc.
Christmas dinner was beef wellington - which almost didnt happen. Tom pulled out the puff pastry and it was actually phyllo dough which EVERYONE knows just won't work. Grocery stores were closed and so we started texting our friends frantically. Luckily Andre and Melissa had some in their freezer and we were back on track. We watched A Christmas Story and had a fire again (notice we didnt mention the 3pm Vikings game where they got stomped on.....)
Post Christmas Tracy was able to walk with Wendy and Maui. He kept trying to go home at every turn and frequently just sat down in the road and refused to move in his boots. Once he realized it was futile, the walk went much better. She was also able to walk with Mary and ran into Paul Bennett. That was a nice surprise!! Dinner was salsa verde chicken and more tv.
Today its snowing again, so more shoveling and the Packer game is on at 7:20. Go Pack Go!
All in all, a relaxing and anxiety ridden holiday. At least that tradition continues.
Hope you are all healthy, safe and happy.
XOXOX
T.T
