CHRISTMAS EVE....

As per usual, if there is deep snow, Winnie is out there rolling.....

Very mild this morning with a lot of melting going on.  After chores I spent most of the day in the house, so I didn't get to experience the "warmth."  The Kenny Family did chores tonight so I could get ready for our Christmas Eve gathering.

We gave Finn and Coop the game SEQUENCE for Christmas, so Jen and friends played with them before dinner.

Between 6 and 6:30, 23 of our 26 guests showed up.  The Cooks called and almost didn't make as their daughter Chris was stuck in Washington DC (flying in from Oregon) and was trying to get a plane to Rochester.  She was able to get a flight to Buffalo so her parents went there to pick her up and they got here after 7.  I think it took her 26 hours to get here.  The weather really had an impact on so many people.

A few appetizers and lots of conversation, then it was time to eat.

Swedish Meatballs...

Baked ham....

Drinks.....
Alicia came bearing gifts....as in chocolates...

Cooper was feeling his cheerios and knocked over a plant.  He was very willing to help clean it up.
"Thanks for helping me Grampa."

Before leaving, they thought it was fun to sing a few Christmas songs with everyone that was in the kitchen.  They used the bells that we keep on the door for Jingle Bells.

Everyone in the room was singing along....
Ice was invited to the party too....

This is Topper.  He is the man who keeps trying to take pictures of me while I am taking pictures of him.  Ha!!!!  He forgot his camera.

This is his most lovely and amazing wife Carol....They have been our friends for nearly 40 years.

These are the Cooks.  We were very happy that they made it to the farm after having to go to Buffalo to pick up Chris.  Lucky the roads were clear (as the temperature went up to the mids 40s today).

I look forward to catching up with Chris this week.

Being with all these people was the best present anyone could ask for.  As my friend Carol once said, "It takes a long time to grown good friends."