Christmas at Kayla and Derrick's!

The family was scattered on Christmas Day, so Kayla and Derrick hosted us all at their house the following day! There was a chipotle dip taste-off. The difference between them was that one had more garlic. The one with less garlic won. It still had a lot of garlic!



Look at all that food!



Kayla making mac and cheese!



It was unseasonably warm out, so we got to hang out on the patio!





Jon made rolls! HELLO.



Derrick got a smoker, and smoked ribs for us! YUM!!!



After dinner, we played Bowl of Nouns.



It was a pretty wild game.



Go, Ben!



Go, Moss!





Go, Kayla!



Moss and Kristen made apple pies for dessert. DELISH! What a great holiday weekend. Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!! We spent the morning at Mom and Dad's. Little Kate and I got matching unicorn slippers for Christmas!



YESSSSS.



Clearly the best Christmas ever!



Breakfast time! Potato, sausage, onion and pepper hash.



Plus, eggs made to order!



Tickle break!



MMM! Plus, fluffy waffles! This was a great breakfast.



Fruit, too!






We went home for the afternoon. Felix gets a scoop of King Family Farm raw meat pet food every night as a treat. We call it his Meat Treat. This is how patient he is! He just sits there, patiently and quietly, waiting until you serve him. Sometimes I don't even realize he's there! GOOD BOY.



We headed to Mer, Pete and Kate's for Christmas Dinner! Mer made vanilla vodka cocktails.



I made wedge salads. These were amazing. I could eat this every day.




They look like towering mountains! I sure would like to be a little tiny salad mountain climber and climb up those delicious waterfalls of buttermilk dressing.



Merry Christmas!



Checking out Mer's special gravel rouser book that she made.



Family photo!



Take two!



Baked potato, sauteed bok choy, and beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce. YUM YUM YUM.



Another family photo!



Mer made cream puffs for dessert! There were vanilla ones, and banana rum. The banana rums were the champions. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

Christmas Eve

Ben and I had family over for Christmas Even dinner! Mmm, veggies.



And cheese!



Mom's clam chowder was the star of the night.



Cheryl brought Kate some presents!



Reindeer antlers!



I guess this guy was also the star of the night. It was a star-studded night! I made an icebox cake! Look at those pillowy layers of whipped cream!



Soooo easy, and soooo good!



Cheryl and Felix got in a little snug sesh after dessert.



They're making the same expression!



Tired boy waiting for Santa to come.



After everyone left, Ben and I exchanged gifts.



Look at those sparkles!

Tracy and Tina's Holiday Party

It's everyone's favorite time of year, Tracy and Tina's Holiday Party! Here we are about to embark on the traditional Irish Car Bombs.



Ready!


Set!



GO!



Wipe downs and high fives.







This is when I notice that Joey is STILL GOING. See my finger over to the right, subtly and politely pointing at him?



Then Tracy joins in with a NOT subtle point and LAUGH! Hahahaha.



Pointing and laughing. Joey! Joey! Joey!





Usually after the car bombs, the hats come off the wall. Me and Aaron. Blurry pictures, but great memories!



Bob and me and Aaron!



Kim, Joey, Kelly and Tina!



Ryan and Jane!



Oops, Joey had too much car bomb.



Bob and Megan...



... and Tracy!



Tracy wanted TJ to hold him like a little baby. Bob was the spotter!



Look how strong TJ is!



I was getting ready to leave, when Tracy learned that Ben had gone home long before the car bombs. So naturally, Tracy got out his phone to give Ben the heckling he deserved!



Ho ho ho! Another great holiday party at Tracy and Tina's. 'Til next year!