Christmas 2024

the official White House 2024 ornament, amongst some family ornaments

Our mode the past decade or so has been to throw as much Christmas as we can at the wall so when something doesn't pan out or something bad happens, at least *something* Christmassy occurred.

This year we got up decorations inside and outside the house early.

We put up the Super Tree

And our usual tree with our White House ornaments and Jamie's family ornaments

We do small trees because it works better with our place and, psychologically, I just can't deal with a big tree's management and storage.

And we only decorated the lower part of the house outside because (1) the oak tree in front kind of covers the upstairs so much, it's been hard to see the upstairs lights for a while.  And, then (2)  we have an owl living on our balcony, and we wanted to leave him alone.

We went for color this year, and it's been very festive.

Also, here's the owl, Ravioli.  It's an Eastern Screech Owl.  It's been a very polite visitor.

For Christmas media this year, I think we were a little worn out on Christmas classics, new and old - and just blitzed through with Hallmark movies.  You can see what we watched here.  It was a very Chabertmas.

We went with my cousin, Sue, and my Father-in-Law, Dick, to Luminations at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

We were supposed to go with Susan and Dick to see A Christmas Carol at Zach Scott Theatre.  Jamie went, but Andre, our 120 lb dog, wasn't feeling well, so I stayed home.  So, no pics of that.

But we did go to Mattie's at Green Pastures for Christmas Brunch.  Back in 2000, this is where we got married.  

we got married outside, but this is where we had the reception.

Jamie made dough and I helped decorate some cookies.

We did manager dinner with Matt, Nicole and Juan before people came in.  Juan introduced us to "coquito", a great Christmas drink we'll be incorporating in our festivities.  It's a coconut-milk based drink that kicks the crap out of eggnog as a beverage option.

Our visitors this year, as most years, are Jamie's brother, Dug, and his wife, K.

at The Local here on Brodie

We were back hosting the family Christmas Eve hangout.  We bought tamales, sandwiches and had cheese crackers from Jamie's dad.  It's also Cousin Sue's birthday, so we picked up cupcakes from Haley's Bakery.

After folks left, we wandered across the street for a firepit hang with some neighbors, and a robust discussion of the movie "Cats".

Christmas morning, Jamie made the McBride Family's traditional Cinnamon Roll Wreath (monkeybread) and bacon.  Jamie's dad came up, and we exchanged a few gifts.  We watched a football game on Netflix (Chiefs/ Steelers) and then headed up to my parents' house for Christmas dinner.

Dads literally discussing WWII

My dad is having some light knee surgery, the first of which was a week ago, so was a bit slower than usual, but is doing well. 

Steanso's family was there, my folks, Jamie's family and our family-friend, Janie.

the nephew, declaring "I'm going to swim in my presents like Scrooge McDuck"

Between days of being "on", eating and drinking for the holidays for several days straight, I crawled into bed after Jamie at 11:20 or so, and was asleep before 11:30.

So, that's Christmas this year!