Christmas Eve and Christmas 2019

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent at our house because Doug and Jenn couldn't host because of Doug's schedule since it changes all the time week to week.  So, I ended up hosting Christmas Eve and Christmas this year.  We usually did Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's house but they are currently redoing the floors and trim and aren't done yet.  Since I worked up until Christmas Eve, I systematically got the house ready for Christmas.

I tried to get our Christmas letter and cards done in early December and actually managed to get them done.  Several people moved so we had to get their new mailing addresses.  I got the tree up and decorated by December 7th.  It was crazy but I had to do it early because of the weather.  I really didn't want to go tree hunting in the pouring down rain.  That is fun for no one.  We got all the decorations out from the garage and decorated the house as best as I could.  With the addition of the large entertainment center I got from Ms. Hamel and Peg, we had more places to put decorations and hang stockings.

As Christmas Eve approached, I spoke to mom a couple times about what it would look like.  We have everyone come over around 6-6:30 and we have KFC or something since most people were at work until the late afternoon and don't have enough time to make food for everyone.  She said that sounded good.  I told her that she and Grandma would have to pick up the chicken as I got the house ready after work.  She said it can be done and she will take care of that part.  I told everyone what was going to happen and Doug and Jenn said they would be there as soon as Doug was off work.

I thought I would be nice and head over to Doug and Jenn's place to help them bring over presents since all of them wouldn't fit into their car with the chairs and table they borrowed a month ago.  I went over there and knocked on the door...no answer but I knew Jenn was home.  I went through the door and was ambushed by Charlie.  There was really loud music coming from one of the back rooms.  Jenn was back there putting on make up.  I told her I was there to pick up the table, chairs and presents.  She shut off the music and helped me load up all the stuff into the Escape.  She was drunk the entire time.  Why would you do that when you knew you were going somewhere?  I don't get it.

I came home and finished setting up the tables and chairs and making sure everything was done before everyone came over.  Mom called and told me that the KFC she went to, I am assuming it was the one off of Pacific, to tell me that they are out of chicken.  What?!  How is KFC out of chicken?  She said she didn't know and asked what to do next.  I told her to try the one over by Walmart in Hawks Prairie.  She said oh, I forgot that one was out there.  

Everyone arrived and now we were just waiting for Mom and Grandma with the KFC.  I didn't hear from her for a while so I assumed that KFC had chicken.  A few minutes later they came in with all the food so we helped them get it ready with spoons, plates and napkins.  Within the next couple seconds, we were all eating at the table talking about random stuff.  I made fun of mom for a little bit about KFC not having chicken.

Mom brought over the breakfast casseroles so I had them to put in the oven before everyone arrived for Christmas.  We've been doing the breakfast casserole for a few years because it's easy to feed to numerous people.  We stopped trying to make pancakes or French toast, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage or bacon just because it's hard to keep warm.

We cleaned up the table and got a plate ready for Dad to take over to Grandpa on his way home and leave it in the fridge for another day.  It was going to be too late in the evening to eat dinner.  We all go comfortable on the couch and exchanged presents with each other.  I tried to get everyone at least one thing to open since the main present opening was tomorrow on Christmas.  Ben got me a date night Christmas present.  We were going to go out to dinner and then go see The Rise of Skywalker a couple days from now.  I bought him a wallet he wanted.

 We opened presents and threw the wrapping paper at each other because we could.  We cleaned up the living room and everyone gathered up their things.  They knew Ben, Erik and I had to clean up for Christmas tomorrow.  Before everyone went home we took some Christmas Eve pictures in front of the tree.  Everyone thanked me for hosting and that they would see everyone tomorrow morning at 9.

Ben and I got the tables wiped down and set up for breakfast, put away a few things and then I got cleaned up before we went to bed.  It was late and we had to get up around 8 to start getting stuff ready.

Christmas Day

We got up when our alarms went off.  I washed my face, brushed my hair and went into the kitchen.  I saw that Erika was up.  I gave her the job of cutting up the fruit I had her buy for breakfast.  She ended up making a fruit medley out of it with ginger and lemon juice.  I cut up the blueberry muffins I bought at Costco a couple days ago and threw the two breakfast casseroles into the oven.  Now we wait for everyone to get here since the table is already set.

As 9 a.m. approached, I got out the chocolate milk, orange juice and Ben made it easy for people to make coffee with the Keurig.  Once people started to arrive I had Erika, Zach and Ben help people bring in presents.  As soon as everyone was settled in and the presents were under the tree, we said grace and then dove in.  We ate, swapped stories and laughed.  Everyone who said they were going to come to breakfast did, except for Jean, Ben's aunt.  She was still healing from her surgery she had earlier this year.  We totally understood why she wanted to stay home.  We told her there's always next year.  Of course it just wasn't a true Christmas without Grammie.

After breakfast, we quickly cleaned up the dining room table and got ready for stockings and presents.  I tried to get all the plates, silverware, cups and mugs into the dishwasher so they would be ready to go at dinner time.  I threw in all the fabric napkins into the washing machine so we would have them for dinner.  We all gather around the couch and start handing out presents to everyone.  Several years ago we decided to pick names and keep the spending limit under $50 for those people who didn't have a lot of money to buy gifts for everyone.  It seems to still be working.  I had aunt Jean but she wasn't here this time so I decided to send it to her in the mail or give it to her the next time I saw her.

We opened presents and threw paper all over the house hitting people in the face when they weren't looking and surprise ambushing people when they were looking.  It was fun.  Everyone helped clean up the paper and got their stuff together to head home for a bit.  Trish, Amy and Ed stuck around hanging out and playing games while everyone else headed home to get ready for dinner.  Plus, Grandpa had to go home to rest until dinner.  Kevin and Karla wouldn't be joining us for dinner since they will be spending it with her parents up in Seattle.  We got a group Christmas photo before everyone left.

Around noon I got the ham ready to go in the oven.  Grandpa provided the ham.  I made a brown sugar glaze and stabbed hunks of pineapple on the outside.  Mom bought me one of those cookers a few years ago for Christmas and it is such a handy appliance.  Erika was responsible for the salad, I assigned Doug and Jenn rolls and Jenn made a coconut cream pie, Mom was making a veggie platter and some sugar cookies, Grandma made a peach cobbler and Trish provided deviled eggs and spritz cookies.  The mashed potatoes and gravy I waited to make about an hour before dinner.

During the afternoon, we played Uno Attack and marbles.  The television was on Christmas music for a while and Erika and Zach were hanging out in her room killing zombies.  I relaxed a bit on the couch and then played a few rounds of marbles.  The 3:30 hour came and I knew I had to start getting potatoes peeled and what not.

Around 4:45 I had most of the dinner ready and called Ben in to cut the ham.  I got everything ready on the table in the dining room, we got the table set in the living room and it was go time.  Mom brought the veggie platter and cookies, Trish placed her stuff on the table, Erika got the salad ready and we warmed Doug and Jenn's rolls.  Everything was ready to go.  Everyone was here and we scarfed up our delicious Christmas dinner.  We chatted, told stories and laughed...like we always do.  Like I always say, it just wasn't the same without Grammie.  She sure lit up the room.  Her personality was contagious and we always made fun of her because she was the last one done eating.  The loss is still hard.

After dinner, Trish, mom and Grandma helped me clean up and get the dishes in the dishwasher.  Meanwhile, everyone else watched TV or played games at the table.  About an hour or so later everyone dug into the desserts.  I ate so much I had no room for dessert but I had some cobbler after a while.

We survived another Christmas.  As a kid I had no idea how much work went into a holiday like this.  No wonder my grandparents were exhausted after parties.  As they got older it got harder and harder to plan, execute and clean up after everyone.  They eventually stopped because they ran out of energy so I started doing them in 2016 when I moved into my new place.  I appreciate that I was able to spend family gatherings the way we have all these years.  I miss them.  There are days I wish we could go back in time and relive those precious memories.

Once everyone left, Ben and I spent the remainder of the evening putting away tables, chairs and cleaning up the kitchen, the floor and some of the dishes that we had to hand wash.  I got cleaned up and went to bed just before midnight.  I was exhausted.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Next Adventure:  New Year's Eve with Trish

Figgy Does OMD Again

My co-workers absolutely loved Figgy last December so I tried to gather up as many new scenes as I could.  I hit up the Goodwill, Value Village, found stuff at Grammie and Grandpa's house to use, stuff from my parent's house, stuff I see at the Dollar Store and found a couple things while going through all of my bins out in the garage.

This year I made a plan of what everyday was going to be.  I start on the first weekday of December and go up until the last weekday of December before Christmas.  This year it was Christmas Eve which was on a Tuesday.  I made sure the night before work I would have everything ready when I arrived at work.  The scenes took me anywhere from a few minutes to maybe 15 minutes or so to put up.  Everyone who arrived after me were delighted to see what Figgy was up to.  This year I got to borrow Mom's Seahawk elf, who I named Russ.  Russ and Figgy are best friends.

Instagram post:  Figgy got up early this morning to make sure everyone got warm gingerbread cookies after the long weekend.  He even had some hot chocolate and milk to share.  Let's be more like Figgy this holiday season.  #elfontheshelf, #omd, #cookies, #gocougs

Instagram post:  Figgy and his Seahawks buddy Russ the Elf, are celebrating a MNF win over the Vikings last night with a celebratory tailgate party in UR.  #elfontheshelf, #omd, #gocougs, #gohawks, #tailgatingseason

Instagram post:  I present to you The Figgy Puddin' Band!  This year he hire Russ to play the acoustic guitar.  Songs by request only and make sure you have the sheet music.  #elfontheshelf, #gocougs, #gohawks, #omd, #band, #drums, #guitar

Instagram post:  During the non-holiday season, Figgy earned his second PhD, this time in anatomy, specifically what makes up a snowman...bones and all!  Haha! #elfontheshelf, #omd, #gocougs, #anatomy, #snowmanbones, #phd

Instagram post:  Figgy and his penguin pals are enjoying the end of the their week in a winter wonderland including their very rad igloo made by @erika.k.larson last December.  #elfontheshelf, #omd, #gocougs, #penguins, #winter, #snow, #igloo

Instagram post:  Treat yo self!  Figgy and his pet kitty cruisin' with the top down in his Coug Mobile.  He even has the new Coug license plates.  Figgy's got some style!  #elfontheshelf, #gocougs, #kitty, #crusin, #omd

Instagram post:  Today is Taco Tuesday!  And like the sign says, "if you don't like tacos, I'm nacho type!" Figgy loves tacos and hopes everyone enjoys their Tuesday as well.  #elfontheshelf, #tacotuesday, #omd, #gocougs, #tacos

Instagram post:  Figgy decided he was going to be decked out in Mariner gear today.  He knows it's the off season but wants a head start in cheering for his hometown baseball team!  #whereiroot, #gomariners, #gocougs, #omd, #elfontheshelf, #baseball, #mariners, #marinermoose

Instagram post:  Figgy and Russ engage in snowball fight 2019!  Figgy thought he would have the upper hand from the top of the tree while Russ hides behind the snow bank.  **No snowmen or penguins were harmed in the making of this snow scene.**  #elfontheshelf, #gocougs, #omd, #snowballfight, #snowballs, #snow, #gohawks

Instagram post:  Shark Attack!!  Figgy and Russ came prepared with their shark cage, goldfish crackers as bait and a boat and harpoon.  They got him once in the side but on the second attempt he got a hold of the harpoon.  Stay safe out there!  #elfontheishelf, #omd, #gocougs, #gohawks, #sharkattack, #harpoon

Instagram post:  Figgy and Russ don their new ugly Christmas sweaters they bought last weekend.  They felt pretty important throughout the day sipping on their hot chocolate and crunching on their candy canes.  #elfontheshelf, #gocougs, #gohawks, #omd, #uglychristmassweater, #hotchocolate, #candycanes, #winter

Instagram post:  Figgy and Russ decided to go camping last night.  They thought they would get in one more outing before the holidays.  Watch out for that alligator though...he'll take your hand off!  #elfontheshelf, #omd, #gocougs, #gohawks, #camping, #outdoors

Instagram post:  Only 8 days until Christmas!  Thanks Figgy and Russ for the friendly reminder.  Yesterday, Figgy and Russ were joined by a new friend.  Not sure what his name is or what he's trying to accomplish.  He looks like a Christmas gnome. #elfontheshelf, #omd, #gocougs, #gohawks, #countdowntochristmas, #holidayseason

Instagram post:  Figgy and Russ infiltrated Smurf Village and stole the smurfberries the Smurfs spent all spring and summer growing.  Gargamel and Asrael are no where to be seen.  There may be a Smurf revolution to get them back.  Some of them already have weapons!  Have a smurfin' holiday season and don't eat too many smurfberries!  #elfontheshelf, #gohawks, #gocougs, #smurfs, #smurfvillage, #smurfberries, #omd

Instagram post:  For those of you who have seen the new Star Wars movie, please no spoilers!  Russ and Figgy saw the movie last night and tried to spread spoilers.  Darth Vader managed to catch one of the elves and threaten him with his light saber.  Figgy swore he wouldn't tell anyone if he let him go.  #elfontheshelf, #gocougs, #gohawks, #omd, #starwars, #nospoilers

Instagram post:  Born in 1974, Sounders!  Sounders!  Figgy got out his Sounders gear so he could represent our team in their second MLS Cup win in five years.  We get to add that second star to our logo.  Way to go boys and the fans who cheered them on the entire season!  Let's make 2020 memorable as well!  #gocougs, #elfontheshelf, #gosounders, #omd, #bornin1974sounders, #mlschamps

Instagram post:  Figgy is preparing for the upcoming bowl game with Air Force on Friday and he wanted to show some school spirt at work today.  #gocougs, #cheeseitbowl, #beatairforce, #elfontheshelf, #omd, #wavetheflag 

That is a wrap for the 2019 holiday season with Figgy and the new elf addition, Russ.  I will try to have some new scenes for next December.  Until then GO COUGS!

Next Adventure:  Christmas Eve and Christmas 2019

Christmas Cookies with Barlow

Lindsay has always wanted to make Christmas cookies since we did one year at Fitzy's house.  For some reason it just never worked out and Fitzy moved to Colorado in 2017.  Lindsay got a hold of me one day and asked if I was interested in making cookies with her.  I really didn't want to waste a whole Saturday so I asked her if she wanted to do it on a Friday after work instead.  She said sure.  We picked the Friday before Christmas.

She gets off work at 6 and I got off work at 4 so I told her that I would pick up some ingredients for the cookies I wanted to make, plus some extra sugar and flour since most cookies require those ingredients.  I stopped by the cemetery to hang out with Grammie and visit until I ran out of daylight.

I then went to Walmart and grabbed cookie making supplies.  

I asked Lindsay if we needed anything else and she asked if I could look for some molasses.  Walmart had no molasses so I had to go to Albertson's, just down the street.  I found some, grabbed a bag of popcorn and a drink.  I didn't know what we were having for dinner when I got to her house.  She told me that she sent Justin to the store after he got off to grab a few things for cookies as well.  It sounded like we were going to make a ton of cookies.

She got off work and I headed over there.  I brought the bags of supplies in and asked her what types of cookies we were going to make and showed her the ones I wanted to make.  We started with the no bake cookies and made two batches of them.  We didn't have wax paper so we had to wait until Justin came home with that, the other ingredients and pizza from Pizza Hut.  We let the no bake's sit and harden while we ate pizza.

I started mixing the cookie dough for mint chip cookies.  It was hard to find mint chips in the store but luckily I had some left over from a previous year.  I might have to buy some Andes Mints and smash them with a rolling pin the next time I need some.  We had two batches of cookies done and it was almost 9:30.  We still had many more to do.

We cleaned the dishes as we went so it wouldn't be a huge chore at the end when we were tired...plus we needed the stand mixer a few times and some large bowls.

One batch of cookies, I think it was a version of the peanut butter balls, someone forgot to put the baking powder in (the leavener) and they turned out weird.  They didn't taste bad but the texture was off.  She ended up packaging up those and having me take them to her co-workers on Monday.  She just said to get there early and leave them on the community table.

From 10 p.m. on we made peanut butter balls and messed up the chocolate and had to make another batch of chocolate, we made Milky Way cookies, candy cane cookies, molasses cookies, snickerdoodles, red velvet, sugar cookies and plain peanut butter cookies.  We put them all out on the cooling table.  I found out she was giving these out as gifts to her friends and family members and that's why we had to make so many.  She even had little Christmas boxes to put them in.  However, a few of the boxes weren't big enough for all the cookies so we had to improvise.

We made 10 or 11 different types of cookies and various batches of them.  We put together 13 boxes of cookies, made tags for each of them and I took some cookies home with me.  

I got all of my stuff packed up, put it in the Escape and headed home.  I didn't get home until 3 a.m.  I was so tired.  I didn't realize this would be a cookie marathon.

Next Adventure:  Figgy Does OMD Again

Erika's Birthday

Every year since everyone's been back we've been either going out to dinner or having dinner made at someone's house for their birthday.  It was their choice in what they wanted.  I asked Erika a few weeks ago where she wanted to go for her birthday since it was on a Saturday.  She said she didn't know yet and would get back to me.  I needed to know soon so I could tell everyone and they can plan for it.

She eventually got back to me and said she wanted to go to Red Robin around lunch time.  I let everyone know what time and that I would get their early so we can get a table for everyone.  That Friday after work and visiting Grammie at the cemetery, I went to Walmart for my weekly stop for groceries.  I had no idea what to get for Erika for her birthday.  Last year, we went to IHOP and I bought her some drawing supplies and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  That was also the same birthday where everyone met Zach for the first time.  As I strolled Walmart, I saw something that caught my eye.  A chubby stuffed unicorn plushie.  Yes!  I bet she will love this!  It came home with me.

The next day, Ben got up for a 24 hour shift at the fire station and slept in a bit and then got up and started getting ready to go.  I skipped breakfast since it was too late to eat it.  I made sure to bring the presents and of course the birthday hat.  I drove separately while Erika and Zach met me there.  I got there first so I was able to grab a table for everyone.  Doug and Jenn made it, followed by Erika and Zach and now we were just waiting for Mom, Dad and Grandma Karen to show up.

We had the lady get us our drinks and we waited for everyone else to show up to order food.  They arrived finally and we were ready to order food.  I got the chicken strips and fries and everyone else had burgers or salads.  When we were done, we did presents and the waitress came by and sang happy birthday and gave us ice cream to share.

I handed Erika my present and I was really excited for her to open it.  She read my card first and then opened the chubby stuffed unicorn plushie.  She was pretty excited to see it.  I told her that we would have to name it when we got home.  She opened her other presents and we got ready to go.  We had spent an hour and a half there and it was time to go.  Erika thanked everyone for coming and we all headed our separate ways.

I got in the Escape and decided to head over to the Goodwill since we were over there.  It was always nice to browse.  Mom, Dad and Grandma had the same idea and I saw they were pulling into the parking lot.  We all browsed together.  I didn't find anything I just had to have so we all left and went home.

Erika and Zach beat me home.  I asked her if she came up with a name yet and Zach said Sausage.  The chubby stuffed unicorn plushie was named Sausage.  A perfect name.

I spent the rest of the day working on my blog and watched the rest of the Navy/Army game.  Navy won 31-7.  I wish there were more bowl games on that day but just the one unfortunately.  I got some cleaning in, did some laundry, snuggled with my cat and talked to Ben a few times to see how he was doing at work.

Until the next birthday!

Next Adventure:  Christmas Cookies with Barlow

A Mount Rainier Day Trip to Longmire

While Jenn's parents were here we tried to suggest activities for them to do.  Since they were from Mississippi, where the weather is significantly warmer than up here, it was hard to do stuff with them.  Doug had a hard time when they wanted to go to the beach only to be there for less than 10 minutes and then wanting to go home.  It was like an hour and a half drive to Ocean Shores so Doug was frustrated and felt like it was a waste of time.  I don't think her parents planned very well when it came to dressing warmly.

Historically, November is our rainy month in Washington State with an average of 9.5 inches in Olympia.  However, this November it was fairly dry and cold.  I like the dry and cold weather because you can still go out on adventures without getting soaked and cold.  It was my ideal winter day.

Doug had asked us if we wanted to go up to Mount Rainier with him, Jenn and her parents and I thought that would be fun.  I haven't been up to Mount Rainier in a couple years.  He added that they really wanted to see some snow.  So we planned a day to go up there.  The weather was suppose to be cold, clear and dry which was perfect for going up to the mountain.  We knew the weather would be decent and we'd be able to see the mountain.

Erika, Zach and Ben didn't go and Jenn's dad, Gary decided he didn't want to go either.  So it was Doug, Jenn, her mom, me, Mom and Dad.  We decided to meet up at Mom and Dad's house at 11 a.m. and we would take one vehicle.  Since Mom's Expedition was big enough for everyone, we took hers and Doug drove.  Mom was a little apprehensive about how it would drive in the snow and ice, if we encountered it, because she needed to get new tires. 

We headed out and drove towards Eatonville, which is about a 40 minute drive from Rainier through Yelm and McKenna.  No one packed any food so we stopped at the Subway.  I got my typical 6 inch turkey and cheddar on white bread with mayo, lettuce and pickles.  We paid for our sandwiches and got back in the Expedition.  

Along the way through Elbe and Ashford, we talked about various things.  We had intended on driving up to Paradise when we got there,  The entire highway was free from snow and ice.  When we finally got to the park entrance, Doug paid our entrance fee and we headed on up, luckily we didn't have to wait in a long line to get in.  As we got higher in elevation we noticed the snow piles getting bigger and soon we were in a winter wonderland minus the snow on the trees.

We got closer to Longmire and there were patched of compact snow and ice sprinkled along the road.  You could feel the Expedition slip a little bit.  That is where we decided that it was smart just to enjoy Longmire instead of trying to drive up to Paradise with bad tires and no chains.  We found a place to park near the Inn and from there we just wandered around for about an hour and a half.

We first went into the gift store and looked at stuff for a while.  It's been a while since I came to Longmire and explored.  I think the last time was with Grandma Karen, Mom and Ben back in August 2014.  I know we didn't come all the way up here to check out the gift store and to see snow in the parking lot so I suggested that we do the Trail of Shadows Loop.  I've never done it in the winter so it could be fun.

We walked across the street and onto the loop trail.  The trail was a little under a mile and it passed by a few mineral springs, a cabin, a marsh and a meadow.  There was a lot to enjoy and take pictures of.  This time we had snow in our pictures which made for some cool backgrounds for some selfies.  We spent some time at each interpretive point along the trail.  It was fun to read about them again after five years.

We took our time walking the loop because we were taking pictures, reading the signs and had to be careful in some areas because they were slippery.  I think Jenn was the only one who slipped when we got to the forest area but other than that we all did alright.  I thought Jenn's mom would fall because she wasn't wearing the best pair or shoes or warm clothes for that matter.

We finished the loop and headed back towards Mom's Expedition.  Before we loaded up, we all used the restroom again just because.  Doug decided to drive again so while he drove I ate my sandwich.  I told him once I was done we could trade and I would drive while he ate his sandwich.  He agreed.  We drove down the swirly road and got out of the park.  Doug pulled over near one of the cafe's along this highway and we traded spots.  I drove the rest of the way to Mom and Dad's house.

It was a nice little jaunt even though we didn't get to go up to Paradise.  Maybe next time when we have better tired on our vehicles.

Next Adventure:  Erika's Birthday