CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN COLLEGE STATION: December 22, 2013 - January 2, 2014
We usually travel to see children and grandchildren during Christmas break. In fact, the last time we hosted family over the holidays was back in 2007, when Rhonda's father--Ron Millett, Gary M., the Browns and the Empeys came to visit. We are unbelievably excited when the Dyals announce early in the year that they'll be spending Christmas with us. Later in the summer, the Buhlers actually move from Florida to Texas. They, too, will be with us during the holidays. In the fall, we book flights for Ron and Gary, assuring that our home will truly be filled to the max during the holidays. After a long hiatus, it feels strange to plan and execute a full Christmas celebration once again.
The Dyals battle a long line of nonstop thunderstorms as they drive from Michigan to Texas. The anticipated 1 1/2-day trip takes 2 days. They seem very happy to finally exit their minivan in College Station. We are so grateful they are safe and sound!
We all drive to Austin on Monday, December 23. The Dyals meet good friends in Round Rock for lunch at Rudy's BBQ. Gary and Rhonda head for Austin's Bergstrom Airport to meet Ron and Gary's flight from Salt Lake City. At the end of the day, everyone is safely back at the dinner table in College Station. So fun to have so many family members with us once again!
CHRISTMAS EVE: Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Tradition dictates that we begin our Christmas Eve celebration with an appetizer dinner As we eat, we watch favorite Christmas videos. One of the highlights of my dinner is munching Gary's yummy Captain Crunch Chicken while watching segments of "Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir." Following dinner, we unwrap one Christmas present each -- a pair of flannel pajamas. Of course, all the pajamas match! Once we've donned our new PJs, we gather for an uplifting nativity program--scripture readings and spiritual thoughts, interspersed with Christmas hymns. At the end of the evening, we sing fun Christmas songs and eat sugary treats. Then it's off to bed with the hope that Santa finds the Dyal children here in College Station...
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| Alex, Josh, Julie and Spencer -- Our Taste Testers |
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| Voilà! Appetizer Dinner Revealed! |
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| Ready for Christmas Eve Program |
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| What a Nice Gift under Our Tree! -- We Get the Dyals for Christmas! |
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| Guys Outnumber Girls Tonight |
CHRISTMAS MORNING: Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Hooray!! Santa is so smart! He definitely knows that the Dyal kids have been very nice. He also knows they're spending Christmas in College Station.
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| Logan Gets a Huge Present from Santa |
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| Alex Receives a Large Pile of Santa Gifts |
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| Jessica Is Thrilled with Her Haul from Santa |
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| It's High-Quality, Name-Brand Clothing for Spencer |
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| Opening Presents Takes All Morning |
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| Everyone Wears PJs Except Ron |
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| Enjoying Our Breakfast Souffle |
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| The Buhlers Arrive Right on Time for Christmas Dinner |
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| Dyal and Buhler Cousins: "Reunited and It Feels So Good!" |
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| Our Four Oldest, Inseparable Grandkids |
POST-CHRISTMAS FUN IN COLLEGE STATION
Everyone has postponed seeing "The Hobbit" until we can all see it together. After the movie, we eat lunch at Wings n' More. Other days we eat lunch at Ninfa's and Freddy's.
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| Yep, Inseparable! |
JUSTIN'S 12th BIRTHDAY: Friday, December 27, 2013
The morning of Justin's birthday is spent at Southwood Valley Skate Park, where the kids enjoy skateboarding and tossing Frisbees. Logan is fastest, by far, on his motorized Razor. After several hours of continuous running and jumping, the cousins are famished. Unlimited nachos and green sauce at Ninfa's quickly eases those hunger pangs, followed by a big fajita lunch for everyone. We are stuffed to the gills by the end of lunch. Dinner is postponed until 7:30 p.m. Still, no one has much of an appetite by then. So a full tray of homemade lasagna goes back into the freezer.
The afternoon of Justin's birthday is spent at Grand Station -- glow golfing, playing laser tag and video games. In other words, Justin has "died and gone to heaven!"
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| Logan, Justin and Alex at Grand Station's Video Arcade |
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| Fifteen-year-old Cousins, Kyle and Jessica, Practice Driving Skills |
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| Gary M., Gary W. and Ron Join the Fun at Grand Station |
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| Justin Opens Presents and Enjoys Ice Cream Cake |
THE DYAL FAMILY HEADS HOME: Sunday, December 29, 2013
Following Navasota Branch's Sacrament Meeting, we gather for family pictures. Then the Dyals begin their long drive back to Michigan. What fun to have them visit twice in 2013! We love you!!
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| Everyone Together -- Millett, Williams, Dyal & Buhler Families |
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| Ron Millett with Three Grandchildren -- Julie, Gary M. & Kristen |
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| Gary & Rhonda with Three Children -- Kristen, Gary M. & Julie |
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| Three of Our Five Kids -- Julie, Gary M. & Kristen |
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| They Love Me ... They Really Love Me! |
NEW YEAR'S EVE: Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Our group is smaller, minus the Dyals. We enjoy yummy party foods while watching videos and playing games on New Year's Eve. We turn out the kitchen lights while playing Head Banz, so we can't see what's on our headband from the reflections in the windows! Before we know it, 2014 has arrived. Soon our fun holiday will be over and everyone will leave us. We take comfort in our plans to see everyone again soon. We love you all!!
