We're All About That Moose...

Every Christmas our family, along with my siblings and their families, gather at my parent's house for food, fellowship and fun.  Several years ago, my mom started a tradition of having us all play bingo together for silly prizes.  Each year the loot gets a little larger and more outrageous.  But one staple we can always count on is the Moose - a candy dispenser (a flick of the tail bring a treat) and grand prize for cover all.  Later, the winner's name is etched onto a plate and fixed to the moose.  However, since my sister moved to Colorado, it has been a few years since we've all been together.  This year her family joined us for Thanksgiving.  The kids really had a great time hanging out and playing together, but it wasn't a turkey that held the spotlight...

So much so...I decided to express it in song by creating a parody of Meghan Trainor's hit "All About That Bass"

Because you know we're all about that moose,
'Bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose

Yeah it's pretty clear, we ain't no chess pros
But gram can call it, call it like she's supposed to do
'Cause she's got that spin spin that all of us chase
All the right primes in all the called spaces
We see the wound-up-kids eyein' that pile of loot
We know that stuff ain't great
Come on now, call it out
If you got bingo bingo just raise 'em up
'Cause every card you play may win you
A stuffed Webkin or a top
Yeah, now gramma she told us don't worry about your card
She says, hey I got a lot'a more prizes just hold on tight
You know Grif wants the toy Thor-figure, Olivia candy bars,
Jack, if that's what you're into
Then go ahead put it on

Because you know We're all about that moose,
'Bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose, no turkey
We're all 'bout that moose, 'bout that moose

We're bringing moosey back... 

every year.

Steve won a batch of Brian's "apple pie" moonshine.

Hayden tries on his prize for size.

Happy girl

Brian - holds his excitement in.

Jack won a Browning Christmas stocking but decided it made a better hat.

Jack and his booty.

Griffin won -- he'll be taking his prize back to CO., but he'll
be bringing moosey back next year.

Christmas 2013 Wrap Up

The day before Christmas Eve, our family was thrown a bit of a curve ball.  Noah began the day vomiting -- something I don't remember him doing since he was 2 years old. In fact, he was so surprised by the occurrence, all he could do was sit on the bed in shock and say, "What is this?...I don't do this." 

With Christmas plans hanging in the balance, I stocked up on 7-Up, Saltines, Jell-O and Lysol and prayed Noah would make a speedy recovery and that no one else would come down...er, up with it. 

Christmas Eve Noah was feeling much better, but wasn't eating much more than dry toast.  Natalie was bouncing off the walls in anticipation for Christmas.  She wanted to go to bed at 6 p.m. in hopes that Santa would stop at our house earlier.

The kids left out cookies, a letter and a box filled with two of their prized possessions - a crystal and a glass bead.

In case you aren't well versed in 1st grade writing - the letter reads "Dear S.C - We are giving you something very good. We hope you enjoy, Love Natalie and Noah."

By 9 p.m. both kids were sound asleep. But, it was more than an hour later before Steve and I had our Christmas morning scene set...
presents under the tree - check
Santa sacks and stockings filled - check
Santa letters written and signed - check
cookies eaten - check
coconut wrapped - check

Yes, a coconut.  For months, Natalie, with her zany humor, has been substituting the word coconut into topics of conversation.  For example, "Natalie, what do you want for breakfast?" - "A coconut." "Natalie, how'd you sleep last night?" - "Like a coconut."  So, Steve and I decided to buy one, wrap it and give it to her for Christmas.

At 2:50 a.m. I awoke to squeals of "Santa came!...He was here!"

I told the kids I wasn't getting up until the first number on the clock was a 6.

At 3:30 a.m. Natalie came into our room to tell me her stomach hurt.

I bolted upright, "What!  Are you going to throw-up? Where's a trashcan?!"

"No.  I'm hungry," replied Natalie.

(Phew!...followed by Grrr)

"Then go pour yourself some cereal," I said.

This was followed by an audible sigh from Natalie.  I think she thought if she could just get me up, then she could convince me to let her open her presents.

4 a.m. Natalie is back with "Noah pinched me!"

"That's it! Everyone back to bed," I barked.

Both kids got in their beds without complaint and it was "Silent Night" for Steve and I til 6:55 a.m.

Reading their letters from Santa. 

Santa sacks - a few years ago the kids received the sacks and a letter from Santa that in an effort to be more green, he wouldn't be wrapping presents.  Instead, they are to put out their sacks for him to fill.

A pink scooter for Natalie and Skylander Wii game for Noah

Coconut -- $3
Look on her face when she opened it  -- Priceless

A Yoda clock it is.



Natalie smirks as Steve opens the gift she bought him with her own money.

Coal?!

Obviously thrilled with Steve's reaction to her gift to him.

We spent the day at my folk's house chowing down on a variety of red meats, deviled eggs, pies and cookies.  Diets be damned til the first of the year.

Mom cuts into one of my sister-in-law's pies -- coconut cream with a chocolate coconut crust and the other a peanut butter and banana pie with vanilla bean custard. 

Natalie was so excited to show everyone her coconut and insisted on having Steve cut it open at Grandma's house.  Having not ever opened a coconut before, Steve sought advice from the Internet.  Turns out 2 or 3 whacks on the "equator" of the nut and voila! It split in two. 



After we had all had our fill of food, we opened gifts from Grandma and Grandpa.  Here -- Jack only mildly affected by receiving a couple of new Skylanders.

Ethan, my teenage nephew, a sweetheart and very happy with receiving an iTunes gift card.

Ella -- very excited about learning to sew.

Dad had her guessing...he added one of his weights to her package.

Cousins!
L-R  Jack, Ethan, Ella, Natalie and Noah
Missing my sister's family in Colorado -- love to John, Renee, Olivia, Hayden and Griffin