Christmas Eve 2016

I went to Dad & Ma's for our annual Christmas Eve family get-together last night.

Dad & I watched the 2nd half of the Patriots' destruction of the Jets. I had some pepperoni, cheese and crackers. Kevin's clan arrived. Sarah's clan arrived (minus Hayden, who had popped in earlier). Then we ate dinner (I had meatballs with mushrooms & gravy, dinner rolls, and mac & cheese - very low-key) and watched more football.

The girls all loved the art supplies (high-quality drawing pads and colored pencils/art pencils). Jared & Drew liked the Hot Wheels, and Ma was thrilled with the Blue Moon glasses. Plus: Dad is psyched for the Celtics game on January 18th.

I lucked out (as usual), with the following:

From Kevin's family: $15 in scratch tickets.
From Sarah's family: $25 Amazon GC (gift card).

From Dad & Ma:

• A 3-pack of Strathmore paper pads (sketch/newsprint/drawing).
• $15 Starbucks GC.
• $25 Barnes & Noble GC.
• $50 Master Card GC.
• Two "Life is Good" brand tee shirts (see images below).
• A brown tweed & leather Red Sox cap (see below).
• A pound of Starbucks Christmas Blend ground coffee.
• A 19 oz tub of soft peppermint candy.
• A pair of GreenLife frying pans.
• A box of wooden matches and a giant Yankee Candle (Christmas Wreath scent).

They always take care of their 4 kids, I am lucky to be one of them!

Birthday

Yesterday (the 24th) was my birthday (it was also Thanksgiving).

I had Starbucks Sumatra coffee & an apple spice muffin for breakfast. And I drew this:

"Revenge!"

Then at noon it was off to Dad & Ma's for Thanksgiving. Kevin's family (minus Holly, flu) and Sarah's family were there too. Dinner was awesome. We watched the Lions beat the Vikings, and had the birthday stuff for me and Jackie (I gave her $15 in a card). I received handmade cards from all 4 nieces (Georgia even gave me $5!), and $50 & a bag of Starbucks Anniversary Blend beans (plus a mug).

Everyone else left around 4:00, but I stayed and watched the Cowboys beat Washington with Dad, before I left at 8. Home, a giant Kit Kat, and several episodes of "Party Down" on the Starz network. It was a great day.

3 Days Off.1

The morning was quiet.

In the afternoon/evening:

1. Bought beer (Long Trail).
2. Snagged a steak & cheese from Town House Pizza.
3. Dropped off Hayden's b'day gift ($25 to Applebee's) at his workplace.
4. Went to the lake from 6 - 8.
5. Hung out with Ma & Dad until 11 pm.

Lake & Family

I went to the lake this afternoon around 5:30, and Kevin was still there, after spending all morning building a small dock for the kids to fish from. And 20 minutes later, Sarah showed up with Laney & Georgia. Spontaneous sibling reunion!