2024 Christmas Fun

We started our Christmas activities early in December by making Christmas cookies to deliver to the neighbors. In addition to the aggressive home decorating in our area, seasonal baking is also another tradition/rivalry. We had some outside help this year.

Putting Grandpa to work

Decorating party

I seem to be sampling something in the background

Finished product

Our dance studio had an ugly Christmas sweater party which we enjoyed very much, even if we didn't win musical chairs.

By the tree

Closer up

By the sign

Musical chairs

During Christmas Eve, we visited the Highlandtown Train Display, which got its own post, and the Christmas Market. The Market was fun even if we only bought beverages.

Ice skating near the market

Market stalls and rides

Tower serving hot beverages

Bacon-selling stall! Why did we not shop there?!?

One booth would chocolate-coat anything...not too appetizing

Cooking sausages

Grinch reduced to busking

Christmas Eve my children made dinner for us. They went all out with a menu and even an outrageous bill at the end. Sorry, we were too busy eating to take pictures of the actual food!

Don't read the fine print!

Restaurant workers

The final bill and the drinks menu

We had a lovely day of celebrating on Christmas itself, though I only took one picture.

Present unwrapping!

One present was a rocket powered by vinegar and baking soda. We had fun launching it in our cul-de-sac.

Getting ready to launch

We played a bunch of the games that we got for Christmas, so much fun!

Board game haul

In keeping with the plane theme, we gave our eldest son a discovery flight to see if he enjoyed riding in and perhaps flying a small plane. We went to an airport on the north side of Baltimore and dropped him off for the experience.

Not sure if this was his plane

We finally got some snow a few days after New Years, making our house more Christmas-like.

The usual outdoor decor

Christmas Stuff 2021

Here's a bunch of the little things we did over Christmas this year (though Christmas is still going for us, at least till the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6)).

The kids were getting antsy to decorate inside. The rest of our street was already decorated outside. We decided to put up the tree, the outdoor lights, and our outdoor nativity on the third Sunday of Advent, commonly called "Gaudete Sunday." Gaudete is the Latin word for "rejoice" and that Sunday is one of the two days in the liturgical year when Catholic priests wear rose-colored vestments (we'll leave aside the whole debate about whether the color is rose or pink). The timing was earlier than usual for us but it seemed appropriate liturgically. Also, the kids are grown-up enough not to pull down the tree.

Setting up the tree

We made and decorated Christmas cookies with family though I somehow missed on taking pictures with people!

A simple plate

An even simpler one

More complicated

Our dance studio hosted a Christmas party where they showed White Christmas. They served hot cocoa and desserts. People came dressed in pajamas. We even danced a bit. We brought the kids along and they were happy (for the most part) to participate.

Siblings on the floor!

We saw a lot of yard decorations on walks and at church.

Stable at church!

Snoopy celebrates 20 year of LOTR with a "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" routine

A fun yard

A patriotic yard

An even more fun yard

We didn't get many pictures of present-opening because we were busy opening presents.

Grandchild and Granny work together

Opening gifts

The presents were wonderful and we are enjoying them a lot. Having family visit was great, as was hanging out with out-of-town family and friends over the internet. We've had a great holiday so far and are looking forward to more!

Random Bits of Christmas 2020

Here's a bunch of Christmas stuff that didn't get its own post...

We decorated Christmas cookies with one of the cousins. This personal family tradition has gone on for many happy years.

Starting out

Adding one sprinkle at a time

More work

Almost done

Finished products #1

Finished products #2

The cub scout pack had a holiday bingo card. One of the card's squares required us to make reindeer food. We found a recipe online, did some shopping, and whipped up a batch. Luckily, the ingredients were more than we needed so we will probably make another batch soon!

Do reindeer really eat this?

Our church had a drive-thru Christmas extravaganza.

Starting the drive-thru

Saint Nicholas was the first one to greet us.

The famous bishop of Myra

The live nativity was interesting. We weren't sure if the llama was supposed to be a camel or not. It's not visible in the photo below.

Live nativity

The adult choir was socially-distanced outdoors.

Adult caroling choir

A Christmas tree of sorts

Across the street (i.e. in the other parking lot), the children's choir huddled a bit closer together for warmth.

Children's choir

Random Bits of Minnesota Trip

Our rental house in Minnesota had a hot tub, which saw a lot of action from the children (and the adults too). 

A happy girl

A bearded girl!?!

More in hot water

The massage chair in the house was very popular with my daughter.

Doing "school work"

The sunrises were beautiful, and easy to see since we were on East Coast time for the first couple of days. 

Sunrise at the lake with a morning star!

The other direction with another morning star!

The sun also rises

My wife and I went out to eat at a local restaurant on their outdoor seating. It was the day after hunting season started, so they had a donation bin out front in the parking lot.

What do they want?

Huh?!?

I guess if you only hunt for the meat, this is a good way to dispose of the hide. Since the season just started, the bin was empty.

At one of the stores, I saw the biggest Rice Krispy treat ever!

What the yum?

The kids built gingerbread houses, though they were quick to eat them.

Done decorating

Toward the end of the trip, we ran out of desserts at the house and had to go to a local bakery to get treats. One cookie was so amazing, I had to take pictures.

A happy customer!

Cookie close up