Christmas Eve 2023

Debbie and Dave came for 3 days this year and stayed in a nearby hotel. We so happy to host them and Beth and all be together on Christmas. Last year Dave had COVID and we celebrated together in January.

We decided to do brunch and I made a hashbrown casserole and Debbie made cinnamon roll trees!

So much fun.



Ally ate fruit loops.

We had an advent puzzle kit that we failed to assemble daily so we split it up and each of us put together one frame. Some were more challenging than others.

Then we painted wood Christmas decorations.

Note that Rudolphopoly is hanging up in our kitchen. For the first time since it’s creation we did not play this year. Puzzling and crafting were the thing this year. But it was nostalgic to see the board up.

Our finished works.


Beth and I made cookie trees to bring to the church shelter with the meal we made for their dinner.

Another festive cocktail before our traditional tamale meal.

Ally was so happy Cloey let her pick her up.

At home Christmas Eve candlelight service.



We watch our church service live. 

I only had 5 taper candles so I used a big jar candle. Beth thought it was so funny. 

After church we watch a Muppet Christmas Carol. Then Dave and Debbie headed back to the hotel and we went to bed!

December 2023; getting in the Christmas spirit

Advent, vacation, Christmas activities, grandparents, puzzles and crafts.

Advent gifts continued. This year I shopped Tik Tok for a lot of them and Ally was pleased and surprised.

Vacation!

Maggie was not happy being dressed up.

We watched Charlie Brown Christmas, it was Ally’s first time seeing it.

We did a puzzle as a family, all 3 of us.

Beth came over and decorated our tree.

Cat leg warmers were another Advent gift.

We watched White Christmas and ate dinner.



Becky made a Maggie ornament for this year. 

Grandma Debbie and Poppy Dave arrived on the 23rd 

Ally tried a mocktail. 

We did another puzzle





And ended the night watching Elf.

Early December 2023

The week after Thanksgiving Ally was sick all week. So sick we ended up in the ER for some IV hydration and a variety of tests. With some anti-nausea medication and hydration she felt much better. 

Back from Ohio and Ally headed to the mall to check out post Thanksgiving sales.

Turns out Maggie the kitten loves the Christmas tree.

Catching up on homework.

Then came the sickness 

Even Cloey felt bad for Ally

Daisy was never far away, even if she was hiding under Ally’s bed.



By Wednesday we were in the ER. I brought our blanket in from the car and Ally laughed at me, but then she was happy to have it.

Resting more the next day.

Finally ready to go back to school, a week later.

Cloey has gotten pretty reactive about nail trimming so we have some new drugs to calm her down and we’ve been trying to do it ourselves.

Daisy was not impressed with Cloey at all.

These two are such good sisters to each other.

First volleyball practice of club season and she drove herself. It’s amazing.

After school one day we took the cats to the vet. We had a double appointment because we are worried about their weight. Daisy is so skinny, she lets Maggie eat all the food. So Maggie is getting chubby.

Turns out Daisy is now her ideal weight and Maggie needs to lose a few pounds.

We decorated for Christmas 

My oldest friend, Matt has a job in Cambridge now and will be her one week a months for the foreseeable future. We had dinner. So nice to catch up.

Best weather

Seriously sister love.


Ally’s Advent started on December 13!