Christmas 2013

Well, all the boxes and wrapping paper have been cleared out and recycled so Christmas 2013 is history. We were blessed to have our daughter, son in law and grandson with us for a few days. It is surprising how noisy a house can be with only one two year old in residence! He certainly understands the concept of unwrapping and getting presents but Santa and Jesus are still pretty obscure at this point. We did get to the candlelight service on Christmas Eve but little grandson only made it five minutes into the service before having to “go play with the kids” due to making noise and squirming all over. Oh well, eventually we will teach him the sacred meaning. 

I tried a new chili recipe this year on Christmas Eve, a chicken and white bean recipe with green chilies. We got to decorate Christmas cookies and grandson was a good “shaker” putting all the colored sugars and toppings on after we applied the frosting. He really is a cookie monster though constantly asking for a cookie. We made him a special plate of very small cookies. His mama has a sweet tooth too though so it is no wonder that he does.

It was nice to spend some time with the other Van Courts this year too. On the Sunday before Christmas Myrna had us all over for a lovely meal along with her group from Texas which includes her daughter and son in law and their two daughters and two great grandsons and a grandson and a son in law. Pete our nephew and Steve’s sister Sharon were there as well. The two one year olds are very delightful and entertaining and as different as night and day.

There was just enough snow left in the backyard on Christmas for grandfather to pull Maverick around on the sled. He is much better about holding on this year but still tumbles out every now and then.

On Christmas Day we also got a brief visit from cousin Joe and his lady who we had not met yet. It is always good to make connections with family.

A highlight of Christmas Day was getting to Skype with Phil and his family in Kansas and also daughter Em who was visiting them.  Callie and Maverick got to show each other some of their presents and we got to see seven week old William in his cute Christmas outfit.

Today the day after it all Steve had an appointment but I just stayed in to do nothing at all. Nice. We hurried so much to get the house clean and decorated, I am not quite ready to undecorate and pack it all up yet!