Bright Spots of the Weekend

Waking Saturday to a pristine blanket of fresh fallen snow.
Our first flakes of the season captured our attention and filled us with enough Christmas spirit to carry us through the fun and festivities of the day.

We had just enough of the white stuff to make our drive North to breakfast with the Claus's and our good friends, the G.'s, at the quaint resort on a lake extra picturesque and all the more enjoyable.

Singing carol after carol added to the ambience too.

The resort was decorated beautifully for the holiday and the kids all adorable.

Miss Bit was beside herself to wear her new sassy kicks.

T. Bone got away with the jeans because, seemingly, overnight he outgrew his khakis.

3 of the 5 kiddos completely forgot what their little hearts absolutely desired the minute they got all comfy on Mr. Claus's lap and 1 wanted something no one had ever heard of.

Perhaps, they were a little bit in awe after his hearty, heartfelt HO HO HO.

I know I was.

When T. Bone told Santa that his birthday is 2 days after Christmas Mr. Claus exclaimed, "Whatta BUMMER!"

Then he declared that December was to be the month of T. Bone and that the Christmas tree...a T. Bone tree, the Christmas ornaments...T. Bone ornaments, and Christmas cookies...T. Bone cookies, and my boy felt very special.

We posed for our annual group shots and he reminded the kids, "Remember, Santa only brings what Santa thinks you should have."

This year he also thoughtfully added, "And remember to thank and hug and kiss your Mom and Dad because they love you."

He came for another visit while we were feasting on big, fat blueberry muffins and bacon, and eggs and bacon, and pancakes and bacon, and sausage and bacon, and bacon and bacon.

He told us that his favorite cookies are chocolate chip (the only kind I didn't have plans to bake in the next few weeks), and that he prefers hot cocoa to milk.

He also said that the reindeer like apples, not carrots.

Mrs. Claus piped in to say that they, both Santa and the reindeer, can and do eat anything.

Even bacon.

I love Mrs. Claus cuz' she keeps it real, and she knew what silly bands were.

We enjoyed our breakfast especially because we were not seated directly in front of the piano.

For the first time in years, we were able to carry on conversations because the carols weren't ringing in our ears and our children were absolute cherubs.

T. Bone impersonated Ray Charles on the programmable piano, and then he and his buddy C. played football with the plush animals Santa gave them in the sitting room filled with breakables.

Now he wants a piano for Christmas.

So does his mama.

The girls flitted around stopping to pose for pictures in their faux furs.

I think fun was had by one and all.

We hurried home to change and then we were off again to meet the grandparents for our annual tannenbaum search.

T. Bone was soaked to the bone after initiating numerous snowball fights within minutes and Miss Bit was drenched after making so many snow angels.

Both kids ate their share of snow for lunch.

My Dad cut down a tree and then ended up buying a precut pine.

We found the perfect petite tree to chop down.

Musical hats may or may not have been the afternoon's entertainment.

We made our traditional pit stop at a local saloon for Bloody Mary's and our annual Billy the Brownie sighting.

Miss Bit ate 2 chicken tender baskets minus a few fries she managed to spare for the rest of us cuz' apparently snow is not that satisfying or filling. (She also managed to toss her nuggies soon after we got home...I was uncomfortably reminded of Monty Python's Mr. Creosote.)

T. Bone played pool and other games with Gramps.
After dark, we made the trek to Grandma and Grandpa's for warm bowls of soup and homemade breads.

Some cookie decorating and some cards too.

Sunday T. Bone and I had a date for church together.

The recessional was O Come O Come Emmanuel.

It's my very favorite reverant song and I sang so loud he couldn't wait for it to be over.

Miss Bit stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's for some two on one time, and a date to see Tangled.

T. Bone had his friend J. over to hang out and go snowboarding eventhough he threw a hissy fit about our house being boring with no PS3 and all.

He had to wear my snowpants because the pair I ordered for him last week have yet to arrive.

He wouldn't dare let me take a picture. They are periwinkle.

I managed some errands and decorating and odds and ends, and it was an all around great day for the whole family.

Hubby perfectly grilled a steak, I made the Neeley's sinful fries and saureed some spinach and we sat down for family dinner.

Despite the fact that T. Bone tried his darndest all day to talk me into BW3 for dinner, he happily cleaned his plate.

We caught up on our family advent calendar discussing kind things we can do for others this season.

T. Bone said caroling with the Scouts, Miss Bit suggested that we bring the nursing home residents we carol for homemade Christmas cookies, and hubby and I are on board with the giving tree at church.

Dessert was candy cane ice cream and Amazing Race.

St. Nick stopped by overnight. All were pleased in our midst...Badger fans, sportscar fiends, Beatle's lovers, silly band collectors, Japanese eraser aficianados and even lovers of tuna treats.

Miss Bit was borderline hyperventilating she was so excited by her loot.

T. Bone played it cooler, but he was stoked about his new warm hat.

Our friend Fred returned after much anxious anticipation.

My boss gave me courtside seats so my boys could go and see them some Heat tonight.

I handed T. Bone the ticket when he got in the car after school today and the first thing he noticed was the price.

That's my boy!

He handed me his first quarter report card.

The first thing I noticed were the grades.

He is hoping to get some wings at the game.

He definitely deserves some after all his hard work.

Aunt Jess is over for some girl time.

I'm off to pour some wine and make some pasta.

Happy week to all and to all a good night.