Day 289

A handful of Compound Dwellers headed for Boulder, CO today to say Merry Christmas to Uncle Craig. We met up at Rosetta Hall for lunch, which turned out to be a great suggestion from Craig. They've got a unique approach to providing lots of cuisines, and for at-table ordering and delivery and payment. We ate on their outdoor rooftop patio - very pleasant up there! For dinner, Matt thinly sliced the leftover prime rib and re-heated it in a broth bath - au jus. French Dip in a Grandma's Roll!

Everyone ordered by phone including selection of
various options. No waiter, really, only delivery person.

Six different kitchens, one for each cuisine offered.

Pearl Street promenade. Fun shops and eateries.

"What Do You Meme?"

Day 288 Christmas Day

Christmas Day! Non-stop activity from morning till night! Traditional breakfast of omelet casseroles, bubble bread, and fruit pizza. This year the Santa Gifts were in the dryer! Matt whipped up a great prime rib and Tracy and Nana filled in with all the other goodies including rainbow jello, whipped potatoes, grandma's rolls, ceasar salad, etc. All topped off with a fabulous 2014 Regusci Cabernet Sauvignon. Lots of photos here.

Hope and Home ornaments for the three foster kids this year.

Day 287b Christmas Eve

Then all of a sudden, out in the house, there arose such a clammer of arranging and stashing a mountain of presents. All of the photos are here.

Tracy got these Etsy Open-Me-Firsts.

Bubble Bread

We contemplated betting Tracy
if she could reach the ceiling.

Santa's note explained he spilled on his red suit and had to
use the washer/dryer real quickly...

Day 287

We closed out our stay at the Gaylord with a visit to Mrs. Claus and Snowflake the Elf. Mrs. Claus was just right: prim, proper, and loving. Snowflake was a hoot. The day concluded with a Christmas Eve Service at TimberCreek Church (TCC). Tracy had some great activity booklets from Mardel's for all the TCC Kids attending. Well, there was Christmas Eve prepping at home later, but you'll have to see the next post for that... All the Gaylord photos are here.

Last look at the Winter Wonderland.

Mrs. Claus and Snowflake the Elf

TimberCreek Church's Christmas Eve service.

Day 286

As delightful as yesterday's weather was, today's was frigid. About 25 degrees on the dial with a wind chill to about 10 degrees. However, that did not stop most of the kids from getting in the last two rides: a tube-tug kiddy ride and ice bumper cars. Then we visited with the Charlie Brown characters followed by a stop at the Dippin' Dots counter. Another great take-out meal from Old Hickory Steakhouse followed by a visit with the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker. The day ended with a raucous game of Texas Hold 'Em using Christmas cookies as chips! Oh, and the quilt gift got finished just in time. All the photos are here.

David was our very reliable elevator
door holder.

Texas Hold 'Em with cookie chips.

C'est finis!

Day 285

Today was ice skating and downhill tubing at the Gaylord. And after a delightful meal from the Old Hickory Steakhouse, it was time to decorate cookies and gingerbread houses. All the photos are here.