Christmas Day 2023

 It was truly a lovely day.  They were happy with their gifts and happy for each other. 

I just soaked all that happiness right up. It was my favorite present. 

Everly finally got her Instax camera! 

Megan finally got to open the clothes that she and I went shopping for last week and I promptly confiscated and made her wait to receive on Christmas morning. I did need to patch a couple of the jeans. Like many 18 year old girls, Megan likes a ripped jean....but unlike most, she likes those rips to have our old birdie tablecloth peaking through. It's all about the memories... and the cuteness.

The cute memories. 

Isn't she the cutest?

I finally got to surprise Laney with the Harley Davidson jacket we tragically lost out on to another thrift shopper. It's an epic story involving me basically harassing the poor woman to please oh please sell it to me until she finally promised to call me if she ever wanted to sell it.

I figured she was just trying to get rid of me and I would never hear from her again. 

But I did! And we met in the parking lot of Maj-R-Thrift one dark and stormy night and I kept the delicious secret for TWO MONTHS till this very fun moment!

And the jacket goes so well with the new skateboards! 

Mathew accidentally found his main gift hidden under the truck seat on the drive home from Arkansas....two hard drives...I'm sure it's cooler that it sounds, especially to a computer guy. 

But I did manage to surprise him with a new Cubs hoodie!

And his new pal, Barbara Manatee 💕

Ethan loves his new Carhart vest!

And sweetly helped Anna figure out the new apron he gave her. 

And AJ finally got to meet the little parrotlet I've been hiding in my closet for almost two weeks. 

I think this will be a perfect pair. 

I got a brand new Hedley and Bennett smock apron I've wanted for awhile. It's pretty cute!

Mark got his yearly supply of socks and a new camera for the garage....but his fun gift was this print of Wrigley Field made up of all the handwritten names of all the players from 1876 to 2016....2052 players!

We cleaned up the wrapping and got down to the business of relaxing and hanging out together. Sweet Mathew helped me make the Christmas dinner, beef stroganoff with artisan bread. It was warm and delicious and the perfect end to a perfect day. 

Merry Christmas!