Ahhhhhhhhhh...it Christmas Eve once again, and as we have done for years, we went to Marylhurst and played for Sister Jeanette and other retired nuns at Mary's Woods. We originally just went and played for Sister Jeanette at her residence, but somehow our "caroling" morphed into playing on Christmas Eve at their big annual Christmas Party. We don't practice, which is regrettable, but they love us anyway. Actually, this year there had been some practicing - - Warren and Whitney played some of the duets they'd done at the Temple,, and Jess and Bev played a duet they'd preformed somewhere. We are so lucky to have Whitney on the piano!
And our photo with Sister Jeanette - it's amazing, she has dedicated her life to teaching children to play the violin,and our children and grandchildren are a recipient of the fruits of her efforts.
After playing at Marylhurst we went to the homes of some friends and "surprised" them with. We went to the Laughlins, the Beeches, the Glenns and several other families on Brunner Rd.
Our day started with visiting Travis and Ann and family. They opened their presents with glee and then didn't really understand when they got "hand made tickets" that said Disneyland! Finally they were made to understand that they were going to Disneyland the end of February, and they were finally excited.
Shelby reading her ticket.
Gretchen understands!
Eric seems pretty interested in his candy
They all finally understand..........
Next visit was to Beverly's, and it was happy chaos. Guess what? They are going to Disneyland too!
At Jessica's, the opening of presents was well underway. Surprise, surprise they are gong to Disneyland along with the T Grays, the Louthans, and the R Grays. Every year, Grandma Cantrell crochets some sort of winter item for everyone. This year she did slippers, and I was able to photo the moment with a classic slipper picture
Dad and I gave each other a trip to Disneyland too - coinciding with the other families.
Dates will be February 25 to 31....two days travel time and three days in Wonderland or Tomorrowland or California Adventure. It will be so fun!! Also - here is the picture again of the hiking bunnies and a new one, Dad's new walking shoes - our gifts to each other.
We had a great Christmas Mexican dinner. The practice I went through with the sopapillas paid off as I think they were the best ones I've ever made. Jessica and Bev outdid themselves with the food.
The day after Christmas - what better way to celebrate than to make another trip to the metal salvage yard.
This is an air-conditioner thing which was saved at the last minute.
We'd put This dryer, that is Malcolm's, into the trailer for it's "final trip" but had to take it out because Malcolm really wanted it.
Oops!
That magnet grabber so easily picked up the worthless shredder that was unable to shred the vegetation that we tried to push through it.
Wednesday - kids came over and they made cookies. Here they are forming the dough balls and adding sugar or chocolate chips or raisins.
A great mystery was solved as I looked for the cookie sheets--I found the bread pans, and pie pans and cake pans! Hallelujah!! Of course I had just finished buying an entire lifetime supply of those utensils at the Dollar Store, but I don't care - I am extra happy.
Thursday we went to see Mary Poppins Returns. It was a fun move - same sort of story, different actors - same style of music. The music had some much the same feeling as the 1964 original production that I kept expecting to be able to sing along with a song or two. But no - all the songs were new.
Ray and I went to Winco, and I was overcome by these two water fountains - two - one required one by law and the one for handicap access. Nothing like this is in Kazakhstan!! We are so lucky here in the USA.
Malcolm got a ridiculous gift at his company's Christmas Party - two blow up inflatable vest like things which kids (5 - 12 years) put on and then run into each other creating havoc and pushing furniture around. It's fun until someone cries (since then, these toys have disappeared). But two little girls found a fun way to watch TV
This week on Netflix the new movie, Watership Down premiered. Along with the kids we binge watched all the episodes. I love hr book and the movie. Here is Clara watching the movie along with two of my best rabbits.
Here are Clara and Ray just playing.
Another Christmas week has passed! So different from last year in Astana...........
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