Christmas Eve Adventures

Or new family traditions? Dave decided that he wanted to try something new and easier for Christmas Dinner. Let's try Cracker Barrel Family Dinner for a family of 6.  Pick up 10:00 am on Christmas Eve. Dave & Ryder completed the pick up and this is what they brought me.

A BIG box

Full of food

needing to be cooked.

The ham was separate in it's own bag.

Also needing to be cooked

They did include a mini cookbook full of instructions

and timing of the whole meal.

Table is set

Indy is dressed

Dinner is ready

and served!!

15 minutes later everyone was full and ready to have some fun.

Dave's new white elephant game

Pass it right, the left, and back again.

Round and round the presents went until everyone was confused which way was left.

Dogs trying to figure out what the

silly humans were doing.

Or demanding leftovers.

Time to open what you have in your hand.

Charlie Brown Christmas tree

Wooden signs

what was Dad thinking?

Let's trade?

Everyone got a good laugh and 

maybe we will do this again next year.

Full stomachs, tired bodies, and Christmas anticipation may mean Christmas movies. We watched a couple of favorites like Polar Express, A Christmas Story, and a little Home Alone. Everyone is ready for some sleep.  Goodnight!!

Side note: Dinner was good, however, it didn't save time with all the cooking required. It also would have been a whole to cheaper to just buy the ingredients. This will not be a new tradition.

Christmas Road Trip

It's Christmas Eve, Eve, Eve and we are headed to Las Vegas. The dogs are in their new kennel, the Hummer is gassed up, packed up, and ready to roll. WAIT......

Ryder needed to wait

for an Amazon delivery of new head phones.

The arrived and we were off.

A few bumps along the road are normal for us.

We made it Bass Pro Shop Las Vegas

Loved this mini suite.

Dinner of pizza and bread sticks.

Ryder with new headphones

I keep forgetting he can't hear me

when I ask him a question.

Shopping @ the outlets on Blue Diamond

We did make it to the Galleria Mall.

Everyone was able to buy what they wanted.

This crew looks exhausted.

Dinner at Cheesecake Factory

before heading home.

Musical Chairs

Ryder in back with all the shopping bags.

Rylee in front

to avoid getting car sick

Grandma JeanAnn, Reganne, and me all in the middle.

Everyone made it home tired and ready to crash. However, the dogs had other plans. Remember when we left and all that dog food. Nobody listened to my warning. One puppy exploded and had an upset stomach. The kennel was trashed. Rylee asked a friend to check on them. Due to the mess she brought them back inside to their kennel. Lucky us the explosions continued until we got home. This was not how I wanted to spend my Saturday night.

New Home

It's time to plan our annual trip to Las Vegas for Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is on Sunday which means a change of days for our trip. We ran into a huge bump in the road... Nobody is available to dog sit. We need a new plan.

Dave found a solution!

A kennel in the garage

Plenty of water 

and way too much food.

This may not end well.

Sniffing out 

and Piper discovers the food.

Miss Indy

found her perch or maybe her throne?

Everyone is packed, loaded, and ready to have some fun with this mini vacation.

 

Time to Slow Down or Speed Up

I can't decide which one at the moment. There is only a week before Christmas and I am no where ready. However, who will miss out if I slow down with preparations?  Only Dave will notice that I didn't finish everything.

Miss Indy in her Christmas Dress

She didn't see to mind.

Until Piper started playing with it.

Luckily it wasn't destroyed before Christmas.

Rylee with her work group 

showing off the new jackets they got for Christmas.

This group has changed so many times since I left that I only recognized one other person.

Daily mail

Postman asked if I had finished shopping yet.

I told him that it's not me.

He laughed and said sure whatever you say.

Fun gift from one

of his supervisors.

Will the pancakes really be green?

Beef Rice for dinner

I know communicate with pictures

to Reganne.

Asking if she wants me to save this for her?

Does this belong to you?

Ryder was to take a bite.

DON'T Touch it!!!

Are these yours?

Go ahead and eat them.

Will you buy food for my lizards?

Nope!! not me ask you Dad.

Dave was really nice and bought them plenty of food.

More packages

They are showing up daily.

I try not to be too curious.

Christmas count down has begun.....

2023 SI Winter Age Group Championships

This is a new meet for Ryder to attend. Can you say road trip to San Diego! The best part for him is missing 3 days of school. Rise and shine we must be at the rec center by 8:00 or Ryder's time 7:30.

First ones in the parking lot.

Just a little early

The chaos begins.

Nat D + 1

Being photo bombed by a dad.

They are ready to roll

Mom's need their pictures first.

Send me a picture...please.

1/2 Ryder and Cody

Depressed Piper

She is missing Ryder. 

Even worse she has to sleep in with us 

Ryder & Josh

Snack Break

Backstroke at full power.

They all had a great meet.

Exhausted and ready to be home.

Let's go home.

I am tired, sick, and don't want to be social anymore.

Not sure who was happier

Ryder?

Piper?

She followed him around the rest of the night.

The kids did awesome and had a great time. Sea level does play a huge part in their times. 2 days left of school before Christmas break. Time for a break from the pool during the holidays.

Event #10    Boys 15-18 100 Yard Breast    53rd Place    1:09.70

Event #34    Boys 15-18 200 Yard IM       42nd Place    2:07.65

Event #50    Boys 15-18 400 Yard IM    27th Place    4:31.50    (Drop of 25.61)

Event #62    Boys 15-18 200 Yard Breast    44th Place    2:28.42

Event #70    Boys 15-18 100 YardBack    49th Place    59.80

Event #100    Boys 15-18 200 Yard Fly    36th Place    2:11.50

 

Crazy Week in Review

The weekend was full of swimming and trying to stay warm. Ryder heard about a great Mexican food that was a must to try. Well today was the day. Here we come for Jalapenos Authentic Mexican Food!!

Looks good

Not sure by the look on his face.

First this to be aware of this place is in a gas station on Bluff Street

The place was full and everyone seemed to be enjoying their food.

The food was ok but really overpriced.

Ryder's review not better than Don Pedro's

Sign says " Try ou ew melts"

Does it mean Eww melts? Stay way

or Our New Melts? Most likely

Thank goodness I'm not hungry tonight.

IA with the Grinch

It's that time again at Balance Of Nature

Christmas visitors...This week it's the Grinch.

Dave & The Grinch

I warned Dave that the Grinch was headed to the hospital.

Next thing I know I get this picture on my phone.

The Grinch loves spreading Christmas cheer.

0 Sugar

Who knew that these don't have any added sugar.

Dave can enjoy when he needs a salty snack.

This is my new challenge finding things for Dave to enjoy without killing him.

Hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit. We are definitely trying to do our best.