As always, mom was a wonderful host. She’d put out my placemat from when I was a kid.. and my teddy bear

First order of business was to give mom the wonderful pictures that max and becky had sent.

Mom took us on a lice long walk in the riverwalk building. It’s a beautiful restored 19th century office builidng of some sort.. Someone spent a mint getting it restired.. but it always feels empty.. still all sorts of things to see.. like this neon sign of a riverboat and a cool analog syntehsizer store !

 

We had a nce lunch at a place around the corner.. then headed over to my suster mar and brother in law john’s house.. Super good to see them !!!

 

We gat caught up on what was goign on in their family and what the kids were up to. Theo has taken up ice fishing.. look at ehat he caught (and released)

After a good long visit we headed hime with mom… we ended the night at a thai place aroudn the corner from moms place.. it was really , really delicious.. 

I love where mom has settled !

 

nite all, nite sam

-me

We woke up early and packed all our stuff. we had 5 bags of luggage !!!>. a new record for us. We checked out of the airbnb .. and headed to max and becky’s to drop stuff off and say goodbuy to the twoa nd four legged family

The ride to Albequerque was very easy. I droped of george and doreen at their checkin, then diane at ours and took the car back to the rental office. THat saved us luggin all that luggage !

After checkign in, diane and I met up with george and doreen for a quick fairwell.. then headed to our respective planes

The flight to MPLS was easy.. we stopped in Denver.. the scenery on the way was really amazing

 

We had a bit of time to explore the denver airport.. ..   this is as close as we’ve gotten to a voodoo doughts.. the one in portaland is always too full to visit !

 

From there is was a quick flight to msp and my moms.. We got there late, but not so late we couldnt use the hot tub !

I do love traveling..

nita ll, nite sam

-me

TOday is boxing day,… the day after xhristmas.. its a big deal in england.. not o big here, I think
We woke late, met up for breakfas.t. when out to see what the ladies had for us in the way of eggs. 

 

Max carved the roast beast

 

I shared my beautiful fail of using chatgpt4 to design a christmas pierogi poem card for last nights dinner. Artwork is great.. but spelling note so much . 

Max and I took Gabe to the airport around 11. It had been soooo great seeing both the boys here. 

We wnet home and picked up Becky and DIane and headed up the mountain for a hike with the dogs

 

it was a true blubird day .. lots of snow and crystal blue skies

 

Great hike !

We went back, and met up with George and doreen and headed to Cowgirl for dinner. It was our last dinner together of the holiday. and cowgirl is a fun place to do it !

Great way to end the vacation !

nite all, nite sam

-me

Today is christmas.. and we’re celebrating it at Max and Beckys along with Becky’s folks George and Doreen.  Max and Becky ‘s place is really warm and welcoming.. so are they !

It began with the customary  letter from santa (this year a dad joke ) and a plate of cookies.. this time with a shot of saurkraut juice !

Danny and Eleabeth dialed in mid-day with baby vivian

 

We broke for pink fish breakfast as is our custom. 

this was first xmas with rabbits !

I smuggled a shirt id bought a few nights backk at Gabriels restaurant. I had to put it on under my shirt in order to sneak it by Gabe !

George got max this awesome  djembe drum !

 

Max and Becky got Gabes dog Nova a cute southwestern outfit

 

ANd diane found this in a thrift store.. very much gabe’s favorite color  !

 

We broke in the afternoon for a dog walk all together.. it was a beautiful day… and no one minded that we were all still in our jammies

 

 

Gabe got max and becky a huge spanish cured ham

 

Once we were done opening.. we switched to cooking ! All 7 of us pitched in to make pierogies using Doreens family recipe. We had spinach and mushroom, cheesy potatoe, sourkrout and apple. They were really easy to make.. and SOOO good !

 

While the pirogies were cooking, Becky  collected some eggs from their 20 chickens.. check out the colors ! 

 

Then it was time to eat !,, So delicious.. and so fun to make.. 

 

It had been a great day. Every time we’re together like this.. we bring Sam into our celebration…

missing him tonight …

Merry christmas everyone

 

nite all, nite sam

-me