December was like most Decembers, but a few new twists. In a move to make our lives as simple as possible in our old age, we didn't hang a garland on the portico; we opted for an old-fashioned string of big colored lights that we (as kids) and our children grew up with. They are cheery and bright. Inside, we put up a fake tree with glass stars and tiny red balls, just as Kris has always wanted to do. It was also festive and Christmasy and so easy to put up. The HI Taylors came to the mainland and just before the big day, the Youngs arrived from AZ. We fed the family, as usual, on the second Sunday and celebrated Madeline's 30th following dinner. We enjoyed a couple of meals out with the HI Taylors. On Christmas Eve we were joined for the most delicious prime rib dinner with meat from Heritage Craft Butchers in Orem. There were lots of late night of board games that Kris and I slept through in peace with our sound machine. Christmas morning we joined with extended HDT family at Ringers for brunch. Post-Christmas we joined our dear Hansen cousins in SLC for brunch at Kreg and Dorothy's. The HI Taylors flew home at the end of the month and the Hastings arrived from NM to fill their beds.
Cover choice for the Tony history book as the project finishes up
New "old" lights
That mountain is so damned wonderful
New tree and baubles
Second Sunday dinner with the binkers
Madi's cheesecake with broken candles
Oliver can pack away the Japanese hot pot
We can all pack away the eternally delicious food at La Casita
One of many game nights
Christmas Eve table with Kris's great new
napkins from a Texas visit to Debby's
Carving the roast beef
Dinner featuring Phillip's Yorkshire puds
The north side of the table
The south side of the table
Everyone but Meagan who took the picture
The Youngs
The Ringers on Christmas morning
Some of the extended HDT family
Grammy showing the girlies her jewelry
Kris and Millie Kay at the Calders in SLC
Terrace Falls, SLC
Farewell to the HI Taylors - well, one of them
It was a great Christmas, and we are happy to have made it infinitely simpler with revised decorations. More to follow next month.
OXO
D.
