Thanksgiving and Christmas 2024

The Florida family got here Saturday before Thanksgiving. An early morning flight into St Louis had them here by noon. 

Almost immediately Grandpa built a fire for them in the backyard. It was a daily ritual after that!

Can you tell getting up a 2:30 AM for a flight to Missouri took a big toll on someone?

Morning #2, Logan was already at the firepit, pajamas and all. Connor was still half asleep. 

Oh, the memories! 

It was a hotdog roast for lunch, in fact for several days they wanted to roast hotdogs.

Then marshmallows came into play. In just 5 or 6 days we went through 3 bags of marshmallows. Of course, the adults might have eaten some?!

Evenings were spent there too. Never did we think, they'd enjoyed the fire pit so much.

2018

2024

One day we went to Jefferson City, to the Missouri Conservation Runge Center. We had to recreate this picture. 

Seriously Bobcats in Missouri?

Downtown in Cooper's Park, was this giant Chess game. The boys like playing it, but not in the cold Missouri temperatures and wind.

  This is new since we last visited there. 

It was their first visit to Yo-Yums in downtown. They loved it. 

Thanksgiving turkey. . . wish bone fun. Something new to them!

I do have a better picture, but this one is too fun not to share and to remember years later!  Oh, that boy of mine!

The kids table! And who doesn't eat BBQ sauce on their turkey???

On to family photos!

The next day it was back to the fire. Their daddy enjoyed it just as much!

Of course, another marshmallow picture!

Aunt Lori brought her cake decorating tools over. They had fun "piling" icing on a cupcake!

Someone lost a tooth at Grandma and Grandpa's. The tooth fairy was quite creative, making a ring from the dollar bill. I'm so glad the tooth fairy found him here.

Saturday that they were leaving, it started to snow. Pajamas didn't keep them inside very long.  

Unfortunately, later in the day proved to be really stressful, cancelled flights and slick roads.  They finally made it to their house in Florida at 3 AM.

Our traditional saying goodbye photo.

Just a short time later it was Christmas. Seems the older you get the faster the days go by.

I gave Jeremy his match box cars from when he was little. Time to move them on!  I wrote a note,

Good news, Bad news

You are now the keeper of theses 2 cows, two motorcycles, a hay bale, and a corrugated box.

I would never let you play with them, with your matchbook

cars, because I didn't want you to lose them. For 40 plus 

years they have resided in my jewelry box.

So have fun playing.

Bad news. . . .I don't know which truck they belong to, or

if they are still in the box.

Love Mom.

 

Lizzie got a grandma and granddaughter Willow tree statue.

Brady who does autonomous programming for the Caterpillar corporation, said this is just like the trucks he works with. His smile shows how tickled he was with it. 

The camouflage throw I made was perfect for Alex.

Lori took several pictures for me, including this of us with our oldest Grandkids!

We recieved Osage Bluff Blacksmithing cups from the kids. 

Of course, we always face time, gift giving. Lori captured this well!

Brownie points by Lori can make some cute candies, and they taste delicious too.

Grand dog Rosie!

I hope everyone had a Christmas packed with fun, love and good food. #Christmas2024