Last But Fastest

Carolyn's high school memories quilt is done! The last one I will make but by far the quickest of the three to get made!

Front:

Back:

Label:

 

The Big 5-0

Drive by friend parade

cookie charcuterie board from Elizabeth

The Melting Pot for Dinner

Elle and Caitlyn decorated

Caitlyn's Cookies!

A new iPad and pencil with an old school cover

 

Christmas Day

I was afraid Christmas Day would be weird not being at home. I regretted not bringing a little tree with us! But it was wonderful-which goes to show it's always about the who, not the where. 

Coleman got a roaring fire going for us.

And the mini disco balls were a huge hit?

Santa always brings a game :D

And one of Carolyn's gifts required safety goggles!

Coleman enjoyed his book choices this year

And Jim REALLY likes Carolyn's beret. Hmm...Christmas idea for next year?

This year's puzzle was an especially fun one. Challenging but not impossible!

Christmas Day is made for napping.

Success!

Food

Breakfast: Sausage Egg Bake

Appetizers: Crab Cheesecake, charcuterie, Sausage Cream Cheese Dip

Dinner: Two Sauce Lasagna

Books

Jim: The Man Who Knew: Alan Greenspan

Christian: A Visual History of Lego Mini Figures

Coleman: The Mamba Story (Kobe Bryant) and Greenlights 

Carolyn: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse

Andrea: 100 American Women Who Changed the World

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve found us at Grace Episcopal Church.

We were so happy to be able to worship in person!

It is a BEAUTIFUL church! 

Inside

and out!

There were hundreds of these needlepointed kneelers. I wanted to take pictures of them all!

Carolyn and Blake

There was a live Nativity scene and Santa Claus!

After church, we had drinks at a rooftop bar with the Suiters while waiting for our reservation. Dinner was at Burwell's and had five enthusiastic thumbs up! Coleman ordered their signature meal-and cooked his own steak on a 700 degree rock they brought to the table. We also tried Beef Tartare... 3/5 Brauns liked it. I was NOT one of them.

After dinner, we went back to the villa and put on our PJs. This year's Christmas shirts were appropriate times three!

Christian said he needed dress socks-Carolyn was happy to oblige!

Coleman's wrapping paper of choice never disappoints.

The bodysuit Aunt Amy gave Carolyn was not well received by the three men of the family.

A flurry of texting their displeasure to Aunt Amy! :D

Playing the game Aunt Amy sent the boys

And we finally were all together to watch Merry Madagascar. 

Happy Julianuary!

Our sweet dog sitters sent us this pic. Apparently it snowed on Christmas Eve at home. Lucy does not seem to be a fan!

Christmas Ornaments

Lots of new ornaments added to the tree this year!

A black dog (because, of course)

spring lacrosse 

and flag football to the photo tree

a Navy ornament from the tournament at the Naval Academy

Harry Potter from our trip to Universal this summer

Santa from our trip to the beach

OU and LSU gloryhouse ornaments (thanks, Sarah!)

a gift from our neighbors, the Skeetes

a gift from my friend, Dawn

a gift from my friend, Elle (peep the grad hat!)

an ornament I made of our house from when it snowed February

a family ornament

perfect for 2020!

because there may be a small addiction at our house...

from our Christmas spent at Kiawah Island

All three kids got the same 2020 ornament, because for REALZ.

CAROLYNt: hosting our exchange student, Celia

COLEMAN: handyman 

CHRISTIAN: our OU graduate!