Christmas Eve, Christmas Day 2021 and early January 2022

Ron and I attended the 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Christmas Eve services at church before traveling to Overland Park to spend time with Amanda, Chad, Peyton, Garrison and Bingo.  When we arrived, the kids and I frosted and decorated Jesus' birthday cake - a tradition started many years ago by my mother with Amanda.  

The kids were allowed to open one present from us and had a good time doing it!

We spent the night with them and were there when the kids woke up to what Santa had brought.  They also opened their presents from their parents before we had traditional cherry coffee cake and fruit for breakfast.  Then we opened gifts to each other.  Their monetary gifts from us were disguised in Kleenex boxes this year which required them removing 10 kleenexes to get to the money.  It was fun.  Peyton played the piano for us - Amanda did too.  

We had a delicious Christmas dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, cheesy corn, homemade rolls and Jesus' birthday cake.  We sang Happy birthday to Jesus, and the kids blew out the candles.  After visiting for a while, Ron and I drove home Christmas Day afternoon.

New Years Eve,  all the Todds arrived - we had a sparkling grape juice toast around 11 p.m.  They all spent the night, but Amanda and Chad left New Years Day to go to downtown KC to spend the night and to have dinner at Lidia's since they didn't get to go to Las Vegas due to Covid.  

Peyton, Garrison and Bingo stayed with us until January 4 when we took them home.  We had a staycation  Christmas break visit again this year due to Covid.  We played Bingo - taught them to play 5 card draw poker - played Kings in the Corners and Trash - played Go Hawthorn Bank (a version of Go Fish with Hawthorn Bank cards) - Peyton learned to make yeast dinner rolls which were delicious - they made yellow cream cheese mints which I took to P.E.O. for the January meeting - we made bath bombs - watched movies - they helped with baked potato bars and taco bars for meals - had picnic in the living room - and had a lots of fun and laughs!!!!  We sure enjoyed having them here.  Garrison loved his bubble bath in the jacuzzi tub.

We were so happy they were able to come to Clinton for a few days over their winter break - something we have enjoyed for 13 years now, since Peyton was born.  We are blessed!!!!!

December 2021 - up to Christmas Eve

 It was a busy December!  We traveled to Overland Park a couple of times for Garrison's basketball games and once for Peyton's band concert.   Garrison's team has improved so much over last year - he's a great player!!!  Peyton's band concert was lovely - the band has improved so much since the last time we heard them, and she is doing great playing the clarinet.  

Our P.E.O. group had a fun December meeting with a gift exchange of something made by each member that is a tradition for their family.  It was fun.  

The kids and I made our traditional rice Krispy treat wreath and decorated it with green and red M&M's.  We have done this since Peyton was only 2 years old.

The Todds are enjoying Bingo so much - he has been a great addition to their family.  He is housebroken and rarely barks.  He loves walking with Chad and Garrison to school.  

The Todd family went to McCormick and Schmick, a fancy restaurant, for a Christmas Eve Eve dinner and dressed up.  The dessert looks fantastic.

Marnie Bellamy and I played a couple of times at church for gathering music and a special, and I played solo one Sunday too.  Our 8 hands group played the Sunday before Christmas and at the 5 p.m. service on Christmas Eve.  

We love our family so much and are very blessed.