Three Screams for 2013!!!

Christmases with the Carlsons involve much laughter, spills, chaos, decking and UN decking the halls, etc.  This year was no different.  Here's a recap.

Christmas music requires much time and preparation.  Special thanks to George Hatcher for capturing this particular morning's vocal warm-up.  Enjoy.

Sunday, Dec 23rd was the annual Moody lunch at Granny Earl's.  

Granny Earl and her TEN grandsons.

The children.

All of Granny's "girls."

The classic Moody lunch consisted of a myriad of meats- ham, turkey, chicken, and a deliciously cut roast beef.  I got three slices of the delicacy, and they didn't last long.

The next day Ryan and I were in the car and I read aloud a text from Matt.  "Hey, Katharine- just wondering if you wanted any more deer tenderloin.  I'm going to make another..."

WAIT A MINUTE!!!   "DEER TENDERLOIN???"  I shrieked.

Who am I?  What am I???

Identity crisis

So that's why everyone was laughing when I told Matt how good his roast beef was.  Next year I'm going to be extra inquisitive.

That evening was the annual Christmas Communion service, one of my favorites of the year.

For the past several years a trip to Del Sol always follows.  As does MUCH laughter from this table in the restaurant.

And then there was...CHRISTMAS EVE!!!  On this day each year I am busier than a herd of ants at a picnic.  So many places to be, so many people to see, just non stop GOING.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Look who I ran into after the service : )

Next up: Christmas Eve dinner at Aunt Faye's.  And a shortage of pictures.  Not.

Organized chaos.

A slightly unsuccessful photo op with Hope & Faith. 

I ended Christmas Eve by baking cake truffles.

I should have remembered last year's Christmas morning at the Moodys and kindly suggested an alternative.  How quickly I forget.  After such an action packed Christmas Eve all I wanted to do was rest, but the Moodys continued the tradition of opening gifts at 5:30 am on December 25th.  People to whom I've told of this have gasped.  

Doesn't Santa visit just as easily at 10:00 am???

"Why, thank you," I stammer, as I wipe the crust out of my eyes.

Hey, Ryan, do you specialize in tightening loose screws??

Cupcake shoes!!!

Glenn Moody is now open for business at Pro Nails.  Call for your appointment today.

Ryan was so happy about his blower.  This contraption is so powerful that it could send you to the moon with a push of a button.  

There goes Katharine blowing leaves off of the driveway again.

If it's possible to appreciate Christmas even more, this is the one day of the year that the Moody's home is remotely messy.

Later that morning, along with the rest of the county and America, it was gift time at the Carlson's.

Daddy bought socks for Jay and me and thought it would be funny to purposely tag them incorrectly.  Imagine Jay's surprise when he opened the toe socks.

Jay made us a phenomenal Christmas lunch.  Sauteed green beans, carrots, pumpkin bread, potato soup, an avocado thing...etc. 

Welcome to Cracker Carlson Barrel.  Reservations only.

Joy and I went to King's for lunch the next day and snapped a picture with sweet little Audrey.  We couldn't believe that we were all wearing the same color!

Later that afternoon Nanny, Papa, & Uncle David rolled in!!!

"Wait, everyone!!! We can't take the group photo without Mama!  Where did she go???"

Fa la la la la.  She's shoveling dog poop out of the yard.

No lie. 

Merry Christmas from a bunch of flakes!  Ryan was sadly back at work already.

Our family time together included making gingerbread cookies, watching movies, and the usual confusion.

During our gift exchange I gave Papa a new pair of slippers from Ryan and me.  They were for men's sizes 9-11, so I was sure they'd fit.  

Papa had a little bit of difficulty putting them on but said that they were "fine."  Several hours later after watching him stumble around the house we realized that he still had pieces of cardboard and tissues in his shoes.  And bless his heart, he didn't want to complain.  We love you, Papa!

Then there was the INFAMOUS milk spill.  We were all seated in the dining room eating 

Christmas dinner (I wonder who has the Diet Mt. Dew?) when we heard an explosion from the kitchen.  

A HUGE gallon of milk fell from the top shelf and split, sending milk flying all OVER the place.

Because, you know, a HUGE gallon is bigger than a regular gallon, I suppose.  At least it gives emphasis to the story.

There was milk in drawers, on the wall, under the refrigerator, EVERYWHERE.

If was as if someone hooked a garden hose to a cow.

It is, in hindsight, absolutely hilarious.

No use crying over spilled milk, huh?  Tell that to my Dad, who was quite the unhappy camper that evening.

The remainder of my MUCH needed and incredibly appreciated break included non stop social events, such as:

An afternoon with Anna and Jordan (with Hibachi lunch and a trip around Dillon)

Sunday, December 30th included church and the annual Christmas play at Robert & Shirley Coleman's...

And also a graduation drop in for Katie!

Later that night I visited with Joy & her family.  Little Audrey is the newest member.

New Years Eve (day) included a King's trip (for the millionth time) and a ballgame outside with Dawson in the freezing weather.

While Ryan was in Florida for the Outback bowl I spent New Year's Eve with these awesome folks.  First Caroline and I had an AWESOMELY fun time that afternoon singing many songs together (what I would give to do that everyday!), and then we went to a movie.

I rang in 2013 with joy!  Actual Joy.  The person.  My puffy eyes are cracking me up in this picture.  I had been sneezing like a maniac for about an hour prior to this.

I cannot believe that 2013 is here.  That is just CRAZY.  I've already written 2012 on numerous important documents.  Oops.  One of my resolutions this year is to dive into the Bible and gain a much greater understanding of it.  And seeking the Lord's will daily.  I don't know what His plans are for me, but I am eagerly waiting to find out.

God bless you, and here's three screams for 2013!!!