Christmas 2024

We had a quiet Christmas this year. My mother-in-law made the trip from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to spend eight days with us in Texas. She was very quiet throughout the week. We went out for lunch on Christmas Eve. We planned on going to The Oasis on Lake Travis. We always take pictures in front of the UFO on the path to the restaurant.

Unfortunately, the restaurant was closing when we arrived. We looked for another restaurant on the lake and ended up at the Sundancer Grill.

It was so sweet to see how attentive Boogs was with his Grandmama. He helped her out of the car and took her hand to walk over the uneven ground.

Three generations.

One of our Christmas traditions is to watch Elf on Christmas Eve. That is our favorite Christmas movie.

Christmas Morning

We always start with stockings before our traditional Breakfast Casserole.

After breakfast, we took turns opening Christmas gifts.

Boogs appreciated the great wrapping job I did on this present. Duct tape is perfectly acceptable.

My mom asked for help cleaning out her outdoor storage closet this past summer. There were lots of tools in the closet. Boogs' uncle and older cousin gathered a bunch of tools they felt were important to have in a home toolbox and put them in one of the spare toolboxes in the closet for Boogs. It was really neat to give Boogs the toolbox for Christmas. He now has tools from Poppa, his great grandfather, and great-great grandfather. Boogs was very pleased with this special gift. 

We spent the afternoon playing cards, shooting rubber chickens at a target, and watching Christmas movies.

On the 26th, my parents and my niece's family came over for a Christmas gathering. My niece's husband worked on a carpentry project with my husband while I got to hold my niece's sweet little twins.

It was nice visit. I was so glad we were able to get together. I was supposed to host Thanksgiving for the family (25 people) in November, but had to cancel because I got sick. I was glad my mom was able to meet her great grandson and great granddaughter for the first time. 

My dad was able to join us and visited for over an hour before he felt the need to go to a quieter place. 

Boogs with both of his grandmothers, Grandmama and Nonnie.

It was great day. 

The rest of December was very quiet. My friend C, who I have known since kindergarten, came in to town and we were able to get together twice before she left town. Boogs had time to go for a walk with me at a new park. 

Boogs ended up working at the grocery store on New Year's Eve until 11:30. I went to bed well before midnight but my husband stayed up to ring in the new year with Boogs.

2024 was certainly filled with many ups, downs, and changes. My dad and father-in-law both had many health problems throughout the year. Boogs graduated high school and began community college, we had an incredible family trip to Fiji and several other lovely small trips. We had stressful days and relaxing days. There was more joy than misery, more laughter than tears, and more happy days than sad. I am ready to see what 2025 has in store. Happy New Year!