Oh deer me!

So do you want the hammock first or shall I give it a try?

One doe came to visit and she was followed by four more. Yes, I live in the city - in the busiest part of the city! I have lived here 38 years and have never had such visitors, of which I am aware, stroll through the yard!

OMG - There is a house there!!!

Let's go girls, we have been spotted!

Oh, sure! Now I have to dodge the swing. When did she paint this thing green?

If we can't see her then do you think she can see us?

I think I can sneak through here!

Geocaching

There is nothing like handing Flave and Reid a phone and sending them out the back door on Christmas Day to go geocaching. Once I steered them out of the neighbor's yard they were good to go for their first cache of the afternoon.

Jeff accompanied us to the small park below Carpenter Dam to pick up a few more caches. This was Jeff's first cache and I think he has decided this could be fun.

Reid and Flave with the dam in the background that was named after their great grandpa.

Reid had to do a little maintenance on this particular cache.

Christmas dinner

Breakfast wasn't planned since we were having a big lunch but it just happened!

Flave figured out how to use Leon's new mandolin and was a great help slicing the carrots for lunch. I am thankful he did not lose a finger.

 Next year I will try to remember to add both leaves to the table! The boys had never begun a meal with holiday poppers and could hardly wait.

They thought it was a pretty cool!

We do like to dress royally when we use the china and silver! Mary was having too much fun watching while Jeff and Kay donned their crowns immediately.

This was my first standing rib roast. What a fine experiment with an oven that never knows it's temperature.

Christmas

Between brunch and lunch there were plenty of presents to be opened. Santa evidently sent an elf early.  Kay did hear a reindeer in the yard when she walked Lola the night before! Reid seems pleased that he can now build a volcano.

Yes, Kay, I knew you wanted a gray vest and some blue baseball shirts! And Flave, what guy doesn't want a Star Wars mug!

It will be interesting to see if Leon wears his new socks. I am glad they will fit me too!!

This will give Flave something to do if he is every sitting at his desk and not studying.

Jeff is studying something while Reid gets to work building his lego bus.

Lola just takes it all in stride when she isn't napping in the middle of it all.

Remote control vehicles seemed to be a big hit this year. Mary watches as Reid tries to get his Milennium Falcon off the ground.

Will did not get to town until Christmas Eve so we started all over on Christmas with a little brunch. Jeff and Will at least made a cousin picture possible this year.

Garvan Gardens revisited

Kay and her family came early for Christmas so we joined them for our second annual visit to Garvan Gardens. The rain subsided and the temps weren't so frigid as last year!

After the drummer boy came the gingerbread boys as Reid and Flave imitated the glowing one.

Reid is the cameraman for Flave and Kay.

Merry Christmas to All