Paul only gets Christmas Day off from work, but he took a day of leave on Christmas Eve. With the weekend, we got four lovely days together as a family. The weather was very cooperative, giving us both days warm enough for walking in light coats, and fresh snow for Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve.
Christmas morning with our blow up snowman actually upright. The snow helps keep him anchored and we've had so little this year thanks to El Nino that he's spent a lot of time lying down on the job. We bought a timer for the lights, so he blows up and the lights on the porch come on every evening at 4PM just as the sun is starting to set behind the mountains. At 11PM, when most of us are in bed and asleep, our lights and snowman also shut down for the night.
Walking near Dixon Reservoir, about a mile from our house.
Tim's discovered the benefit of sunglasses on clear, snowy days and is wearing a pair of mine. Luke is too put off by hats and glasses to appreciate the shade they provide, so he looks on the world through half-closed eyes.
The reservoir appears well frozen, but we stayed close to the bank just in case.
Christmas Eve, the stocking were hung by the chimney with care...Santa has already filled them with treats, and set up the BBQ and BatCave for the boys so that they have instant access to them in the morning. Tim is already voicing some doubts about Santa. Last week, he said he didn't think Santa could make something like the BatCave. On Christmas day, he spotted the box for the BatCave in the garage and said he didn't think Santa brought the BatCave because there was a box. I told him that Santa knew how much he and Luke both liked the pictures on the boxes, so he gave them the box and put it in the garage for safe keeping. I think he bought it...Most Americans put out milk and cookies for Santa. Tim said that Santa didn't like milk and opted for wine instead. He also thought Santa would like the toffee and peanut brittle that I made better than cookies, which was good because we didn't have any cookies.
Basking in the joy of their many Christmas presents. Thanks to Aunt Melissa, Gran and Grand-da, Aunt Cinder and Uncle Jeff, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Scott, GG and Gramps, and the Viners for all wonderful the wonderful gifts.
Watching our new family favorite: Wallace and Gromit and the Were-Rabbit.
Yes, they are actually sharing.
Paul got a new down coat and took a walk in the foothills to test it.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
