Christmas in McPherson!

Dad has become quite the cook these days. He's always enjoyed cooking and baking, but now that he is retired he has a bit more time to experiment and try new recipes. The Grands tried to talk him into starting his own YouTube cooking channel. Ha!

He said his motto would be, "I clean as I cook." LOL

Roasted Cranberries, Apples and Sweet Potatoes . . .

Homemade Focaccia Bread with Cranberries, Rosemary and Brie

Peeking at the presents . . .

Gift exchange!

I got Lucas this "Animal House" sweatshirt and he immediately put it on!

The girls all got matching sweatshirts from Grandpa that they LOVED!

Grandpa with his Grands . . .

*missing you, Mom*

Missing Mike lots - but  here is the rest of our crew!

Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese, Cranberries and Pipits

Asparagus and Mushrooms . . .

Dad made a delicious meal for us! We couldn't wait to eat the turkey and all the sides!

Merry Christmas from Briarwood Lane . . . 

Mac Town Shenanigans

 

The day after Christmas, we packed up again to head south this time to visit Grandpa Don and the Reichenberger cousins for a couple of days. Sad that Mike had to work and couldn't join us for this trip.

It snowed the entire drive Tuesday afternoon . . . 

hardly any visibility as we drove through the Flint Hills. {Photo by Kate}

Lots of cards were played . . .

Molly won, a LOT.

Lots of plank contests were had . . . 

Cousin shenanigans outside in the cold . . . 

Fun, new games were invented!

And I got to see some of my high school classmates again! My friend, Aaron Bremyer was back in town from South Bend Indiana, and his wife is an accomplished author who did a book reading while in McPherson. She was wonderful and I loved meeting her in person!

Class of 1992 Bullpens representing!

Sarah + Ned Gannon, Bryan Powers, Aaron Bremyer, Ryan Heirs, and Me

Dionne Irving has a few published books already, her newest is called The Islands and has been on several best seller lists this year. She teaches creative writing at Notre Dame.

Christmas Day, 2023

 

Santa filled our stockings! And for Bear, too!

Kate set her alarm for 6:00 a.m. - 

so we were opening gifts before the sun came up-

As we were opening, we noticed an older couple walking their dog in front of the house and looking in through the window at us - and all the laughter and fun of Christmas morning and it reminded me to take it all in - as these days are fleeting - these are the days we will remember and I truly cherish them.

"Mom, this is for you. I picked it out and bought it myself and I even 

wrapped it all by myself. Do you like it?" Kate age 11. 

Oh yes, Kate, I ADORE it and I haven't even opened it yet.

Bear, spoiled with new toys, puts all him limbs 

over all the toys so no one will take them. 

One of Kate's gifts was a new piano book of Taylor Swifts' Midnight album - she couldn't wait to play all the songs immediately!

I set our Christmas dinner table with napkins that were my Mom's . . .

Kate being silly, updating our countdown. 

Home for Christmas Eve!

We made it back to KC in time for Christmas Eve at home . . . 

The Dorings hosted us and the Shlicks for a lovely Christmas Eve brunch.

We arrived at 2:30 for 4:00 Christmas Eve mass - and glad we did as it was FULL by 3:00 p.m. so Father Story started mass at 3:40!

We love our tradition of going early and sitting with friends!

Meg + John

Elizabeth, Ruby, Kate

Meg + Me

I took my Godchild, Cecilia Flanagan, up to see Baby Jesus after mass. She was mesmerized and wanted to touch him and all the animals.

Home for heavy appetizers and our Christmas Eve traditions!

Kate made the veggie platter . . . .

And the cheese/cracker plate, while Molly was warming the hot apps

After dinner, we made our Monkey Bread to rise overnight . . .

Twas the Night Before Christmas was read by Mike . . . 

And cookies left for Santa . . . 

Along with 2 pictures Kate drew for him . . .