Today was Christmas.. and we were all together at home for Christmas for the first time in years.  Sam was in all our hearts.

Xmas started for real at 11AM.  Lots of love, lots of pajamas.. opening gifts, cooking, eating, repeat until midnight.  It was truly wonderful.

 

An hour or so in the sun was shining brightly outside.. so we wrapped up and when out to decorate a tree outside for the animals. I’ts a long family tradition.. we tie together  old bread, bagels and donuts and scatter seeds and nuts . Super fun to be outside (especially in your jammies !)

Then back to more presents, music, cooking and eating !.  Got to talk to my mMom too. 
   Around dusk we started making a group meal of dim sum.. . It was a great group effort.. steamed pockets with yummy fillings and lots of different sauces. 

It was such a nice  day.    I feel such gratitude…

nite all, nite sam

-me

Weather was better today.. and there was still much prep for Christmas. Max and becky headed to town for shopping, Gabe and sumner headed to sugarbush to ride the new snow that came on top of yesterdays rain,. and I went in for some final food shopping. Diane stayed here and continued to cook and decorate. The house has never been more festive.. and we’ve never had this many yummy cookies. I’d the wrist time we’ve all been in Vermont for Christmas since 2018.. to it’s nice to have the place look so festive ! Thanks to Diane for all she did to make our home feel so great !

Happy Christmas Eve everyone

nite all, nite sam

-me

Max and Becky had changed their flights to avoid eater in Chicago due to the storm.. that got them in this morning. So happy to have them here with us !

We all went home and started to watch the storm. The weather started getting really crazy: the barometer fell, the temperature climbed, the winds started to howl.. the power kept going out.. then there was sunshine.. it was crazy !

Meanwhile we stayed inside and got to hang out. Diane led cooking. Tonight friends who wanted to brave the storm were coming for latkes

Diane had gotten out lots and lots of Christmas ornaments and decorations. Many we haven’t had out since sam died. we have so many ornaments with all three kids names .. Max, Sam, Gabe. It was Wonderfull (and sad) to see some of the old ornaments. We all went through them to choose which would go on one of the trees.

Its so wonderful to have friends and family here 

nite all, nite sam

-me

Super excited today for Gabe arrival. We’ve been expecting crazy weather and weren’t sure games flights would connect.. but they did ! Gabe’s here !  Unfortunately His girlfriend Sam couldn’t come. We’re going to miss her this year !

One of Gabe wishes was to be able get out in the snow before the coming rain took it all away. Diane and I were happy to make that happen. we drove down to Bamforth ridge  (seeing these wild turkeys on the way) and took. quick hike before sunset… then home to make Pizelles and light the Chanukah lights.   

All this happened while the barometric pressure outside plummeted.. we’re in for some wild weather !

nite all, nite sam

-me