Christmas 2016

Holly and Trevor slept in, which meant we slept in, and I had plenty of time to do a lot of things before they woke up.

Trevor and I enjoyed lox and bagels for breakfast, a throw back to Christmas mornings with my mom and Mike.

We celebrated with mimosas while opening presents. This may need to be a continuing tradition!

I cooked up a storm and mostly enjoyed it. I've not been cooking much since working full time, and I miss it. I've been cooking a lot over the past few days! Tonight's dinner was roasted duck (first time, and it turned out pretty good, although I'm not sure everyone is eager to have it again); stuffing (which was liked the first time I made it, not so much these last two times); twice baked potatoes (always a hit!), our holiday special, Spinach Madeline, and Mandarin Salad made an appearance after disappearing from the meu for several years. I also made Chocolate Mousse for dessert, with Holly making the homemade whipped cream for topping.

After it was all said and done, most of us had a blast playing Trevor's new Mario Cart game--always a hit for any occasion!

Christmas Eve

Robert and I ran to Panera early in the morning, buying the last remaining plain and sesame seed bagels, all that was left of their "neutral" flavored bagels.

He had bought, organized, and wrapped almost all of the gifts this year, leaving me with almost nothing to do except wrap stocking gifts (an easy task!).

We went to Hotel Roanoke's Festival of Trees again this year.

Pokemon may be a new tree--we didn't remember it from our earlier visits.

The colors on some are spectacular!

Down one of the hallways, such a beautiful hotel.

I got Holly to get a picture with me!

Pretty view of my building just over the tracks from the hotel.

The City Market Building from the bridge.

From there, we drove up Mill Mountain to see the view at night.

Gorgeous out, low 50s.

I was able to sneak this one in, everyone looking at their phones to see pictures they'd just taken, or taking a picture!

Back at home, we had a late dinner.

Pumpkin played Goldilocks. This basket was toooooo small!

Merry Christmas!!

Some of December

Gorgeous mornings.

Fogged in at home--

Breaking on the way to work--

View from the office.

That big brown and white hotel on the right is the Hotel Roanoke.

Fall sunsets.

And a sunrise.

A picture of me that I like!

Robert, Trevor, and I volunteered at Santa at the Station, a program that brings families from the Rescue Mission to the Transportation Museum for an evening with Santa. Pizza was served, kids got tattoos and face paintings, carolers sang, and they could shop for gifts in a special room. I was at the crafts station, where we had several tables set up for making ornaments, coloring, and more. Robert and Trev helped out with Santa. Fun night, and the kids were pretty adorable!

Our office Christmas luncheon at the Hotel Roanoke, complete with our own banquet room and Office Jeopardy!

Lunch. It was delicious.

As was dessert.

Decorating at home. Tried something different with the tree this year. I mostly like it and will look at doing something similar with ribbon again next year.