January, 2013

The month began with the conclusion of the Evanston Invitational, followed by a long drive back to Cheyenne.
East High won the Evanston Invitational 1 December 2012	Man-made tuna casserole. Hum. 4 December 2012	Jenna gets herself a nice pool cue... 6 December 2012	Keep your distance! It's Candy Time... 7 December 2012	Rolling a big tray of peanut butter balls 7 December 2012

Jenna, Megan & Gramma joined Alissa for the marathon Christmas candy-making event.
Megan makes the sweet cherry delights 7 December 2012	Gramma & Jenna work on lumps of coal... 7 December 2012	Jenna gets chocolate on the peanut butter 7 December 2012	Group hug in the aprons Alissa made 7 December 2012	Charlie Lake Tourney: Eli awaits Match 3 8 December 2012

The first half of the wrestling season was closing with, amongst other comps, the Bison Bonanza.
Eli topping his worthy opponent 15 December 2012	In the Finals: Eli placed second 15 December 2012	Meanwhile in Idaho Edgar sniffs the air 17 December 2012	Weather dropping in on downtown Cheyenne 17 December 2012	Defective barn cat behind Door #2 19 December 2012

Finally, the weather we'd been waiting for came, and with a vengeance. Yes, we have missed it!
Good morning, Poverty Flats! 19 December 2012	I had fun getting home from work today 19 December 2012	Ground blizzard on northern Reese Road 20 December 2012	After the windstorm: food garden & tree 23 December 2012	Festive spice wreath from Mike & Kara 23 December 2012

What with numerous other extended family members stranded on the roads across America, we were relieved to see Brianna & Josh arrive safely and uneventfully from Texas.
Brianna & Josh sharing a sofa 23 December 2012	Self portrait of a goofy Yours Truly 23 December 2012	Young guns lined up for a Yule feast 24 December 2012	Unbridled Christmas Feasting. Thank God. 24 December 2012	North end of the Christmas table 24 December 2012

We had a nice little Christmas Eve supper for twelve at our house, and we managed to finish off most of a hefty hunk of meat. This was followed by a little gift exchange...
Josh, Carl & Megan recover from supper 24 December 2012	Hot cider, Ginger punch or coffee. Post-feast. 24 December 2012	Megan's present to her Aunt Alissa. Delight! 24 December 2012	Eli handling his nice new blade from Carl 24 December 2012	Everyone liked the books Jenna gave me 24 December 2012

Visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. Okay, not sugarplums. More like slumber was calling. The obligatory wait for Santa Claus was pretty short!
The stockings... ... at 2409 Hours 24 December 2012	Den Christmas Tree at 2413 Hours 24 December 2012	A Father Christmas smile at 2414 Hours. 24 December 2012	Jenna and the cat, Christmas Day 25 December 2012	The boys discuss Ear-boxing Day. 25 December 2012

Our time of opening Christmas presents was brief, but satisfying. I love watching a face curl up in surprised joy.
Gathered round the island for tea & coffee 25 December 2012	Avarice Time! Let's go, Let's go, let's GO!! 25 December 2012	Jenna & Cat reflect on a Christmas Morn. 25 December 2012	Taylor & Eli try on new sport jackets 25 December 2012	Josh is delighted with Alissa's hat presents 25 December 2012

We followed the traditions of Christmas well into the night, and engaged in an 8-episode Harry Potter marathon.
Nothing quite matches popping bubble wrap! 25 December 2012	Why must the dogs be in the middle? 25 December 2012	A little taste of Meso-Americana! 25 December 2012	A fine Christmas being had by all! 25 December 2012	Jenna attracts all four animals today! 25 December 2012