Amanda and Chad surprised Peyton and Garrison with a quick weekend to Disney World the 3rd weekend in December! They flew to Orlando on Friday afternoon and flew back late Sunday night. In between they squeezed in all kinds of fun at Hollywood Studios and Downtown Disney. All had a good time.
On the 23rd, I played the gathering music at church and joined Brenda Ford, Janet Parks and Marnie Bellamy for a two-piano, 8 hands rendition of O Holy Night at church. We had purchased a new console black piano which matches the black baby grand piano already in the sanctuary, and they blended perfectly.
On Christmas Eve, we traveled to Overland Park late morning. Garrison had been diagnosed with Flu Type A that morning, so our plans had to be revamped a bit. We didn't get to bake Jesus' birthday cake, but we still sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and put candles on the German Chocolate Cheesecake I brought for dessert after dinner. Chad and Garrison didn't get to go to our planned dinner at the restaurant, Rye, but the other four of us went and enjoyed it immensely. Ron had a steak, and Peyton, Amanda and I had fried chicken.
Before dinner, we opened presents. Our best gift was 6 tickets to Trans Siberian Orchestra performance on Dec. 26 at the Sprint Center.
We spent the night and were awakened by Garrison at 6:30 a.m. telling us it was time to go downstairs and see if Santa had been there. They had put out cookies and milk for Santa and sprinkled food on the front yard for the reindeer. Santa had been there and brought wonderful gifts for the kids and left fun things in all of our stockings. They also opened their four gifts from their parents, a want and a read, a wear and a read. They were happy with all, especially the Nintendo Switch. We had delicious cherry coffee cake that Peyton had made all by herself for breakfast.
Amanda and Garrison did not go to Lexington since Garrison still had a fever, so instead of coming home right after breakfast, we stayed and had lunch with them, then we drove home. We then went to the Sieger's for pie and custard and to exchange gifts with them. We were exhausted by the time we finally got home, but we had lots of fun.
Because Garrison was still not feeling well, he and Chad did not get to go to the concert on the 26th, but Amanda, Peyton and Hailey, Peyton's friend, and us attended and enjoyed it very much. After the concert, we took Amanda home and picked up Garrison (Peyton too) and brought them to Clinton for 3 nights. It poured down rain all the way home, and by the time we got home, it was time for bed. They didn't fight going to bed and were asleep right away. Garrison slept for 12 hours - Peyton for 10.
On the 27th, we baked cake mix cookies (Pinterest per Peyton), built a fort and watched movies in the afternoon. We had spaghetti and meat sauce directly on the table - no plates - and are having loaded baked potatoes and salad for dinner. So far, we are having a great time!
We are so blessed with the love of family and friends.
