Unfortunately the most prominent feature of Christmas this year was illness. We went through at LEAST two different coughs and flus, many nights of sleeplessness due to insane excitement about Christmas, and even scabies. I'm thinking that we should a) celebrate Christmas in summer and b) not on the same day every year so the kids don't know to anticipate it -- every year it will be a complete surprise. But we did have some good family time, a very chill New Year's eve on our back patio, and a few nice sunny days and hikes. To show you how things go down w/out the obstacles of sickness, I'm keeping the anticipated Christmas agendas (below) from my mom and I for posterity...
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Dear All,
Re Christmas Eve. Our friends the Brownlees, including daughter Jenny w husband Chad and son Bryce w wife Tracey will be coming over for drinks and hors d'oeuvres from 1 - 3pm. Mina and James, hopefully will have arrived in Dallas prior to this but it is not imperative. I just know that Keith will want to have time to hold ALL the babies, since he is a real nut about that.
Also we MUST have a group picture then when light is adequate. This will include everyone and Dev will be the official photographer.
For those who would like to attend Christmas Eve Service there is a 4 - 5 pm service down the street at the Parish Day Episcopal Church. We could actually walk there, which could be fun. Children are welcome to come. This is the very same church where Dev was an angel (when he was 3 yrs old...
After church we can finish up decorating the tree and also start cocktails and dinner. Dinner will be lamb, potatoes and haricots verts, ie something good but quick and easy.
Before we wind up the evening we must take a tour of the neighborhood Christmas lights--although we could do that on Christmas Day night also.
Then, of course , is the optional opening up of one present and the required reading of The Night Before Christmas to all children..
Christmas Day. We'll have some late breakfast brunch egg/sausage type thing after opening up the gifts. Dad invites all to swim in the heated spa--so bring bathing suits if you wish to join in. We'll have a nice dinner at night--Maybe roasted chickens with cranberry sauce and some peppermint icecream molds?
Monday, December 26th. All are free to disperse as they wish. The only caveat is that all return to get ready for Mamo's celebration dinner .All men are required to wear jackets (unfortunately, but this is their dress code). Tie is optional. Dev, you can borrow one of Dad's.I don't think this would work for James...We all need to be there no later than 5:50pm. It takes about 15 minutes to drive there so take that into account. Mamo will go bezerck if everyone isn't there on time..She is really looking forward to hosting this. She even said "What a good idea" it was--much to my surprise. I guess we all have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for...
LOVE to all and a HO HO HO!!!
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Hi family,
Well, since most of you voted in favor of the hagfish instead of Abraham Lincoln, we know your feelings on democracy...let's cut the pretense. Following my mother's sterling example, I thought I'd send out a "suggested" agenda for the next few days.
James has suggested that you all have a six hour comment period: if not you implicitly agree to the agenda. Optional or "free play" activities are flagged. Some "free play" suggestions: nap, hike in the greenbelt (can walk from our house down to Barton Creek), UT Natural History museum (David in particular might like), go ice skating at Whole Foods.
We have lots of stuff for lunches including tons of delicious homemade chili, sandwich stuff etc. & breakfast stuff as well.
Travis and Paul, you're invited to whatever you can manage just let us know if you'll make it for dinner any days flagged for our house. Hope you can. Paul, if we can squeeze in a visit to see your new house, we'd like to do that, but no pressure (we can bring beer and chairs).
First off... its supposed to be 50-60s and sunny and gorgeous! I've tried to incorporate outside/physical activity to each day.
Tuesday
Dev, Summer and kids arrive with Aunt Mo at their leisure. Free play. Go out to El Mason for dinner or get take-in Phonecia.
Wednesday
Morning -- Breakfast tacos. Take kids out for fun activity (maybe Jumpoline Park?)
Julie, David, Mom & Dad arrive at their leisure, probably sometime in the afternoon. We'll have a smoked turkey dinner at our house around 5:30/6. Aunt Mo makes dessert? (BTW Aunt Mo I have a pretty large bag of cranberries, and stuff for gingerbread if any of that appeals)
Thursday
Morning, around 10AM -- Canoeing in Barton Springs (I have an infant life jacket for Arthur)
Afternoon -- naps, free play.
Post-naps, around 4PM -- gather in back yard for family/kid picture. Could the young Ansel Adams suggest appropriate attire?
Dinner- At Mina and James. James and Dev smoke a ribeye roast. Dev-- head chef w/ James's expert support (which means you must include some form of vegetable with the dinner -- James will go with you to Costco)
Friday the 30th (David's birthday)
Mid-morning: Hike at Southwest Metropolitan Park: http://www.co.travis.tx.us/
Lunch -- Lockhart
Afternoon: Shop/walk down South Congress and/or Downtown Austin, Free Play
Dinner for kids -- gas station pizza
Babysitter comes at 7PM, Kids down for night
Dinner for adults -- East Side King Japanese Korean Tex/Mex trailer & Broken Spoke dancing!
Saturday 31st
Morning, Hike (or "unstructured wander") at Wild Basin or Spicewood Springs: http://www.wildbasin.org/node/
Afternoon: Free play/relax
Early Evening @ Central Market North, free concert(combined with dinner somewhere nearby/drinks):
Live Music: Cienfuegos
Saturday, December 31, 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Cienfuegos performs a diverse array of latin genres with a focus on traditional Cuban styles such as Son, Bolero, Guajira, and Cha-Cha.Late evening: Those so inclined can party with Aunt Mo, the rest of us can stay home and drink by the outdoor fire/roast marshmallows
Sunday, 1st
Dev, Summer & kids leave (sad)
Morning (option): Dink around the house?
Monday, 2nd
David leaves
Morning (option): Drive to LBJ ranch (about 45 minutes away, its really neat)
Afternoon: Mina and James do 2-3 hours of work
Tuesday, 3rd
Julie and Mom and Dad (?) leave
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