The Eve and The Day

Now that I am planning on binding my blogs into a book each year, 

I want to be sure I capture all the significant events of the year, 

for both the family, and me.  

So, indulge me as I document the Christmas gathering of 2011.  

This is gonna be a long one...

I was invited to join the Luck Johansens at Kyle & Heather's home on Christmas Eve for light meal, dice game and family fellowship. 

When I got up Christmas Eve morning, I was feeling kind of lazy and dragging around the house putting together everything I wanted to take with to Luck.

Then the mailman brought a nice note from my Dad.

This is such a delightful thank-you that I decided to include it in my blog, 

not to blow my own horn, 

but because it was a very nice note from my Dad.  

It's very personal, but heck, this is my personal blog.

The gift of appreciation is the nicest Christmas gift 

About midday, I was getting myself organized and starting to think, ugh...if I could only just stay home...

then my cell phone rang.  It was Kyle's number but his son Jack was on the phone. 

 Jack told me that his little sister, Stella, had wanted to call me 

and invite me to have a sleep over at their house that night after Christmas.

Well, that call made my day, 

and gave me the boost to get excited again about packing up and heading off to Luck.

***

It was Christmas Eve and a beautiful day

I loaded up my car and got on my way.

Headed west to be with family for the Christmas Eve

Adult cold beverages, behind I did not leave.

Silver bullets from Golden and Angry Minnows from Hayward

All were loaded into the car before I headed Westward.

A Merry Christmas Eve was about to unfold

Memories to be made; and stories to be told.

wjo

***

Kyle and Heather had made plans to have their baby boy, Jens, baptized during the Christmas Eve service at Luck Lutheran Church.  So, my plan was to be in Luck early to be sure I would get a good seat in case I wanted to take a few photos.   So, after making a stop to pick up a few last minute items at Menard's (camera batteries for me, sour cream and an American flag for Kyle), I headed off to Luck.  

About 2 miles out of town I realized that my overnight bag was still at home, so...U Turn.

Finally on my way, I was still in good shape to be at the church early, whew.

Two babies were baptized on this Christmas Eve.

 From where I was sitting, it was hard to get a good shot of Jens.

 Alec and Cole Mortel are the godparents for Jens.

 Jens was a good baby during the ceremony

 Happy Pastor Ralph with the babies

Getting ready for a family photo, Ruby needed a prephoto nap.

Alec Mortel, Heather, Ruby, Kyle, Cole Mortel
Gage, Stella, Jens Henry Valdemar, Jack

  

Great grandma Virginia Olson, Heather and a sleepy Jens

***

After a very nice candlelight service that included the baptisms, we all headed off to Kyle's house.

There was delicious food:  bite sized pork ribs, baked potatoes, salads, shrimp, chips, dips and yummy sweets too numerous to list.

Of course there were festive beverages as well.
Lois and Larry always come prepared to take the group photo.

Aaron, Angie, Harry, Kyle
Lora, Gus, Lois, Ruby, Heather, Jens, Lois, Jack, Owen, Larry, Ryan
Gage, Wanda, Emily, Milena, Megan, Elliana, Stella, Anders, Kris
Thanks Larry and Lois for this photo!

Great Niece Emily had planned and organized all the little ones to present the play, 

Charlie Brown's Christmas.

Jack was Charlie Brown, Owen was Woodstock, the other kids had the roles of all Charlie Brown's pals.
Emily was the director & narrator.

 Anders was Snoopy

It was a very nice production and we enjoyed it very much.

After the play, we moved on to a dice game with presents to steal and swap.

The kids enjoy this a bunch and everyone ends up with a little gift.

Before it was all over, I played my piano song, There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays.

I am happy that I did, maybe I'll have 2 songs for next year.
Kyle took a run at Silent Night on his Grandpa Elmer's Concertina too.

***

As the evening went on, the kids wore down, parents loaded up their families to head home and eventually the house was peaceful again.

I headed up to bed and in getting ready, I noticed that the upstairs toilet was plugged, so before I went to bed, I plunged away and mopped up the mess.  

(I didn't really want to wake up Kyle so figured this could wait until morning.)

***

When I got up in the morning, the kids were already looking in their stockings and checking out what Santa had left for them.  This is nice family time and I am appreciative that Kyle & Heather include me.

Soon, the boys headed upstairs to watch a new movie.  Heather and Jens were on the couch so Jens could eat, I had my coffee and was sitting next to Stella while she played on my iPod.  Ruby was sitting next to her Mom.  I was thinking how nice and peaceful the morning was and we were just chatting about nothing in particular, when suddenly, Ruby projectile puked.

So much for peace.

Chaos.

As Heather quickly handed Jens off to Stella and headed to the bathroom, I ran for the kitchen to grab towels for clean up, and Kyle scooped up Ruby and headed for the bathtub.

Once we got through the shock, we started to figure out how to clean the couch cushion (especially since more company was coming for the afternoon).

I gathered up the cushion cover and wet towels and headed for the washing machine.

Much to my surprise, standing in the laundry room was none other than Santa himself.

"Did I come at a bad time?"

I'm not sure how many kids have had Santa show up during their 'after puking bath', but Ruby did.

Ruby looked kind of amazed when she saw Santa walk in.

Santa had a new Barbie doll for little Ruby Anna

Stella might have had an idea about who this Santa was, but then again....maybe it really is Santa?

Jens Henry Valdemar liked his time with Santa Uncle Kris

Jack (on Ruby's new pink motorcycle that Santa brought, Stella, Gage, Santa & Ruby

 Okay, off Santa went to his next stop and

I decided it was time to pack up and get on my way home.

Not only did I not want to catch the flu bug, but also Kyle & Heather had chores to do before their next round of entertaining.

Just before I left I remembered, "Oh Yeah, Kyle, the upstairs toilet isn't working."

Merry Christmas.

***

I made a quick stop at Gus & Lois's to see what Anders was up to.

 Anders told me all about how Santa had been to visit him before I got there.

He knew that Santa's Elves had probably made the toys.

 And finally, I headed East to Rice Lake.

I spent the rest of the day reading, relaxing and playing Scrabble & Words With Friends on my iPad.

We had a nice Christmas Day gift of another Green Bay Packer win in the evening.

Merry Christmas Wisconsin!

***