WR: Christmas Celebration with the D's

Last weekend, we drove back to my parent's house to spend the weekend and celebrate Christmas as we would be in the Cities for the actual day.

It snowed/sleeted most of the way back, but we made it back safely by 7. Dad grilled some steak (fish for me) and shrimp for dinner, and we had a nice evening at home. We even watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation as a family.

On Saturday, we took my car down to the dealership to have the front brakes & rotors replaced. This was the perfect opportunity for Adam and I to finally get a tour of the completed new dealership. It is BEAUTIFUL. I've seen photos all along, as I've been updating the dealership facebook and blog, but pictures don't do it justice. I was blown away by how nice it was and how thoughtfully it was designed and layed out. While there, I went around and took lots of photos for the Before and Afters.

The customer lounge is beautiful. I enjoyed a few cappuccinos from the new coffee machine which also makes hot chocolate.

Adam and Dad took off to do some ice fishing, while Mom, Christine and I waited for my car to get done. 

 

While we waited, we walked next door and looked around at the former building. It was sad, but at the same time reaffirmed why the move was the right thing to do as the new facility is so much larger.

On the way home, we dropped off a few snacks for the ice fishermen, and Christine walked on the ice for the first time. 

 

Adam even caught a fish as we walked up!

The guys arrived home around 2:30, and we sat down for our customary Christmas Eve dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, corn, and cranberry sauce. Everything was delicious.

After a few family photos,

it was time to exchange gifts! There were so many generous and thoughtful gifts. 

 

Adam was sent on a scavenger hunt for his first gift. He unwrapped a note directing him to look on the back stairs. There he found a large toboggan with tall sides for his ice fishing gear.

His next gift was a note leading him to look in the hallway closet. There he was surprised to get the Abu Garcia Revo SX baitcasting reel he's been wanting. It's his third one, so I'm hoping he finally has enough!

 

He also got a shirt he picked out over the summer when Dad and him went to the Mississippi Rumble BassMasters Tournament.

Together we got a fun puzzle from my sister of signs on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. We also got a huge engraved rock with our last name, 2010 and a pug. I already have a spot in the garden picked out for it.

I received an old fashioned popcorn maker (Whirley Pop), C&B bowls, a quilting set with rotary + ruler + self-healing mat, and a travel kit. Probably my favorite gift was the big Tinsel Pig I had been wanting from Christine. I knew Adam would hate it, so made a big production of the unveiling. I was on the floor laughing so hard. It was great.

Chester was a big help opening gifts. He loves it.

 

He got a cute pug ornament from my sister, and a large Pottery Barn toy box shaped like a bone. He REALLY got into the unwrapping.

 

We gave Christine some treats from New Orleans as well as a Gomez Golden Glove Award t-shirt, and an alligator stuffed animal from the swamp tour we went on. Chester thought the gator was for him and was quite miffed that Christine wouldn't share.

 

For my dad, we got a non-stick green pan,

and my mom, a 2014 Humphrey the Pug Calendar. We love Humphrey!

We also gave them a variety of our favorite things from Trader Joe's since there isn't one near where they live.

That night, Mom and Dad went to a holiday party. Adam and I were supposed to meet up with some friends, but their flight was mega delayed so we weren't able to. We ended up hanging out with Christine and watching Jingle All the Way which was horrible, yet hilarious. It was nice to just relax and be together.

 

On Sunday morning, Dad made us a big breakfast and then the guys went ice fishing again. Mom, Christine and I played a never ending "quick" game of UNO (45 minutes long!) while watching the Vikings game.

We left around 4:30, and were home and unpacked by 7:30. Mom sent some gifts home with us to open on Christmas, and Chester was quite upset that he had to wait to open them. We couldn't put them under the tree, since he would actually open them, so he spent about 20 minutes barking and whining at the tub. Stinker.

I was sad that I wouldn't be celebrating on Christmas with my family, but I was so grateful that we were still able to get together and celebrate. It was a lovely weekend.