Christmas Excitement

It's been awhile since I updated my blog - I was busy finding yet another FNJ (fancy new job). I start working in the Library at UT in January, and I'm very happy about it. I get a whole fancy new office with a cute little conference table and a whole big window. I'm tickled pink. But! No more slacking, I promise.

In spite of new job/interview jitters, it's been a fun Christmas season thus far. Right after Thanksgiving, we went over to the Mowrer's to take advantage of post-holiday turkey sales and friend us up a gobbler! Mama and Dipsey were invited, and if you've ever spent any time with my father at ALL, you'd know he's a worrywart. Especially where boiling oil is concerned. Especially especially when little children are around boiling oil. Never mind the fact that the plug is designed to detached from the boiling oil should a trip hazard present itself; when boiling oil is involved, he'll warn you ad nauseum that boiling oil is present and to please be careful. So, when he showed up for the turkey fry, he came prepared. As a safety inspector.

he's measuring to see how far monty's beer is from the oil. there's a no-alcohol circumference, apparently.

and apparently his beer was too close; it got flagged.

and barbie in the sandbox got busted for being naked too close to boiling oil. mama was dipsey's safety assistant. she showed little to no mercy. 

In spite of our vary many safety violations, we were allowed to eat the turkey at the end of the evening. Yummers.

We went to the Knoxville Christmas parade and had a ball - here's Lottie Sue on my shoulders enjoying the parade:

 we all took turns carrying her like this - i went three times and nearly couldn't walk the next day

here i am as salvador dali

But if you think all I do is run around and play games and have fun, here is proof positive that I do take it easy on occasion.

the loke man and i saw a few logs. tommy titled this picture "a couple of bums." and this is after i made him pancakes for breakfast. humph. see how many pancakes you get after this, mister...

Next, it's the most wonderful time of the year! For Hampton and Dalton, that is...

Every year, neffie-poos Hampton and Dalton join my family and Dipsey as he serves as celebrity reader aboard the Three Rivers Rambler. According to Teddy and London, it is THE highlight of their Christmas season, and they start talking about it weeks in advance. We meet for lunch at my house and then head out to the train. It is super fun. This year:

tommy introduced hampton to the joys of video games

hampton's video game sen-se, mr. smith

watching the train approach the station!

one excited little dude

and here we have a picture up max's nose

such an adventure brings about spontaneous brotherly-sisterly love

here we have the man of the hour, dipsey j. doodle reading to the children from an oversize book. the sign on his seat labeled him as "local columnist and beloved knoxvillian." how cute is THAT?

 We chug out for about an hour, and then have to turn around!

engine detaching and switching to the other end of the train.

choo-choo!

here we have our conductors. they drive the train to the other end and then the engine drags the train backwards back to the station. how fun!

We also had a visit from the big man himself:

making sure everyone is on the nice list, naturally.

hampton and dalton obviously were on the nice list...

 

lucy and max laughing at tommy's antics

Last year the Harpers got snowed in and couldn't make it down the mountain for the train ride. In further bad news: Teddy Ann was in an awful car wreck, and a week stay/two surgeries later couldn't make the car ride over to join her boys on the holiday adventure. So, I made a video for her on the way back to the station so she knew that everyone was thinking of her and was wishing she could be there.

Last night, we had a Christmas dinner with the Mowrers!

cheers!

It was also Mattie's birthday! He got a super fun birthday present: Arnold Palmer golf. And surprisingly, it's not what you'd think it was.

it's arnold palmer on a stick

Matt is the proud new owner of an indoor golf game! You take the little man and whack a ball into the pin. It was rather addictive...

me ironing the green

tommy lines up on a par four course

arnold palmer himself

We all took turns making courses to stump the other players - we played on teams in a scramble. Here's the course I made up:

off the island - dangerous!

and here we have me preparing to make a hole in one. yeah. i didn't. i just talk a big game.

And now Christmas is a week away! I hope everyone is ready for a fun holiday season! Merry, merry and ho ho ho!!!