Power Christmas

Usually when we go to Iowa for Christmas, we drive out and stay for at least a week. But these are unusual times which call for unusual schedules. So instead, this year we flew to Iowa for Christmas Eve Eve and then headed home on St. Stephen's Day.

We weren't alone, as Dave also came out the Tuesday before (Kara stayed in Colorado Spring with the cats). While Allen and the kids went to visit various Fawcetts, I made a grocery run and took the lay of the land, which was when I discovered Dad's cell phone was broken (which explained in part why he hadn't been answering it, which had been maddening since their land line has been intermittent for the past few months making getting ahold of them challenging). This proved providential, though, as it meant that while we were there we could both replace Dad's cell phone, and also get Mom, who has been adamantly opposed to the technology, her own personal cell phone. 

So on Christmas Eve, Allen and Dave took Dad to the T-Mobile store where they were able to update Dad's account and make Mom the reluctant new owner of an i-Phone (which despite her protests, she seemed intrigued by). While they were gone, Noa spent the day making deserts and I prepped Christmas Eve dinner. Steve's family drove out and met us in West Branch for the non-midnight mass, after which we headed home for a lovely dinner, family bonding, and a lot of wine.

The next morning, the hotel that Steve's family was staying at opted not to make the traditional Christmas morning meal, so Dave made scones and we threw together a light brunch before preparing the main meal of the day -- turkey parts (it seems Mom had only bought turkey breasts so we found some turkey thighs the day before in order to MacGyver most of a bird), ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberries, green beans, roasted carrots, rolls, plus Noa's apple tart and Mom's pumpkin pie. After dinner there were games and football, presents, and even more wine.

The next morning, we had a power breakfast and goodbye session before we headed to the airport and Steve's family headed back to Chicago. Dave stuck around for a few more hours to run some additional errands with Mom and Dad before he started the long drive back to Colorado.

So while brief and the first Iowa holiday in a while without a visit from Bernie, it was still a lovely Christmas. 

(To see all the pictures, click here.)

And the Orchestra Played On

It was a strange holiday concert: Allen had to miss it for his last Meeting for Business as Clerk of Friends Meeting of Washington (his three year watch has ended...); Noa's conductor was ill and so another conductor had to sub in; and quite frankly, selections from Carmen seem a far cry from Winter Wonderland. Still, Noa and the rest of DCYOP's Youth Philharmonic did a lovely job playing Wedding Day at Troldhaugen by Edvard Grieg, Crown Imperial by William Walton, and the aforementioned selections from Carmen by Georges Bizet while Mom Mom, Grandpa Don, Megan and myself cheered them on (and got them a boba tea for good measure). 

Party at FMW

Sometime's it's just nice to post a selfie. Elaine had a new dress and we were invited to Virginia's birthday party at FMW with dinner and dancing. It was fun experiencing the space in event mode instead of meeting mode, and while we didn't join in for the contradancing, we enjoyed the music and had a great night out.