2024, December 23-29

And as quickly as it started, 2024 is winding down. 

We took some time before the inclement weather came in getting outside. As Mike and Eliza were riding, we came across a friendly pony and some moo cows. Right after Mike took these photos, Eliza noticed that her bike's back tire was going flat. Fortunately, they were close enough to home that Mike could get his minivan and load the bike in before the rain started for real. 

Hallie was finally able to prevail upon Mike to make his favorite Anna Ellsworth's molasses cookies. They turned out delicious! Eliza brought several to share with Hallie and friends at Starbucks.

He also made time to decorate this gingerbread house. Landon made sure neither the cookies nor the house lasted long.

Landon got a couple of fun gifts from Jocie, including a Star Wars-themed pillow and a picture-filled throw. 

Here is how our Tuesday morning dawned: Cold and frosty. 

Mike read that the Nordik Village at Jaker's was going to be open for free, so he convinced E to go with him to check it out. 

Here's to tasty Swedish meatballs. 

E prevailed upon Dad to get a picture with Bluey and her family. 

On the way home, we noticed that one of our neighbors had painted this fun Nightmare Before Christmas window mural on their home.  

Mike continued making digital paper snowflakes. 

As Tuesday evening was Christmas Eve, the parents let the kids open presents. 

(These are Japan-themed socks.)

Hallie's coworkers got her the one LEGO set any of us received for Christmas.

Christmas morning dawned wet. Mike kept thinking of the modified lyrics "I'm thinking of a wet Christmas, just like the ones I used to know." As a SoCal child, this weather felt much more like those days gone by.

 

We noticed lots of droplets that had formed on the twigs of the trees as we walked the dog. 

As is tradition, the kiddos sat at the foot of the bed to open their stockings. This year, they both slept in long enough that the grownups were able to get breakfast started before the children started stirring. 

Hallie's Kinder Joy toy gave her the side eye. 

As also is tradition, Mike got his picture of the children on the stairs. Some years are more of a hassle than others.

 

Kai was thrilled with his new fetch/chew toy.

 

We got a pic from Diamond and Caleb wishing us Merry Christmas too with the gifts we sent them. We miss you!

After upstairs festivities, we made our way downstairs to open more gifts. 

Hallie's gifts to Mike had a University of Utah theme, including a Starbucks "Been There" mug and UU pajamas for him and the kids. Mike put both to use right away. 

Wet conditions prevailed throughout the day.

Later, Mike got a phone call from his friend Toby, and Priscilla came over to give gifts to the family, including this Woodstock chew toy to go along with the (now chewed up) Snoopy she gave him last year. 

In the evening, we went to Gma and Gpa M's for dinner. Kai likes visiting with Marilyn.

We ended the day with Eliza doing art with the kit she received and with Landon playing on the new laptop he and E received. Everyone seemed very content. 

Art time continued on Boxing Day. Here are some templates for you to use for inspiration in cutting your own paper snowflakes. From Mike's perspective, it's just a matter of angles and lines. 

We took Kai back to his other family to spend the week there. He spent the last 21 days with us, which is something we get used to. See you next year, Kai Kai Puppy!

After a long day at work, Hallie wanted to come upstairs, but Fergus had other plans. 

Eliza got Dad to do some watercolor painting with him. She painted this bee, and he painted this mountain scene. Hallie was impressed when they sent her this photo of their efforts. 

December 27 is National Make Cut-out Snowflakes Day. Mike cut a few today, and we already had plenty more to put up in the windows. He put an album on the blog's sidebar. Just click the snowflake over there!

Eliza thought Ferg was so adorable sprawled out on her that it merited a picture. 

We got new luggage as part of our Christmas/Japan travel plans. Hallie decorated hers with some of her Dutch Bros collection. 

Hallie had a work party/training on Saturday. Part of it included practicing making new drinks, including this chocolate-strawberry blend. 

Like most of the week, we had a wet Sunday. Eliza went to look after Tucker and Val. She likes earning money. Landon applied at Jimmy John's. Fergus gave Hallie the side eye, probably because she disturbed his slumber. She found him amusing enough to take a pic. 

We got word from Diamond and Caleb that Diamond's mom Joyce passed away suddenly. They are heading to Detroit now to help with funeral arrangements.  

Thus another eventful year winds to its close. Thanks for sharing our adventures with us, and see you in 2025!