Once again we have passed the Christmas season. We had a unique time this year at the Gourley home on Oregon Ave. On Christmas Eve we picked up Bryn-Erinn's mother, Terri. She is staying with us for the week. Before coming, she had been coaching Bryn-Erinn, over the phone, on the Christmas day feast. After arriving in Minneapolis, she got right into the kitchen and was working on pie crust, seasoning the turkey (Bryn-Erinn didn't want to touch it), and helping in other chores around the house. I was ban from assisting from the kitchen, as Bryn-Erinn wanted this to be all her. So I had my "honey do" list which I worked on in the days before Terri's arrival and during the morning of Christmas.
On Christmas morning we woke up at a leisure time (Bryn-Erinn was the last up) and we talked and read Luke chapter 2. Reading the scriptures on Christmas morning has been a long tradition that I grew up with. After which we opened our modest gifts to each other. This year since money has been so tight we put a twenty dollar limit for each person. Bryn-Erinn recieved a framed picture of me on our wedding day to match the one of her that we have in our bedroom, she also received some thermal underwear to battle the cold. Terri received a 1-hour massage from Bryn-Erinn's friend April (Bryn-Erinn has been trading pilaties with her for massages), and a new deck of cards (we wanted some on a previous visit). I received a subscription to "Popular Photography".
At 9:30 I picked up both sets of our Elders. They were excited for the "day-off", and were dressed in P-day clothes. I brought them to our home and we had fresh cinnamon rolls ready. They all had one or two and then we sent a couple of them off to talk to their family's. At noon, before Elder Denny had a chance to make his call, I took the young men to the Oak Park ice field and we played some boot hockey. We were joined by one of the brothers on my home teaching route, Chris. We played for a couple of hours, and no one got hurt. I was glad for this, as I would have had to call a mother to report that I broke her special young man. We returned to the house, greeted by a fresh batch of cider. We warmed up, played games, talked, napped, and Elder Denny called his family and apparently his girl-friend was present as well (he has only been out for 2 months).
At 3:30 or so we had a fabulous dinner. Bryn-Erinn and Terri had prepared a turkey, yams, mashed potatoes, rolls, stuffing, peas and cranberry sauce. Everyone ate until they were full. Surprisingly enough there was still left overs. We spent the remainder of the day watching church Christmas movies. We had some gifts for the young men, retro (70's) ties and some hand warmers. I called my family to wish them a Merry Christmas, and here about their Christmas adventured. It took the missionaries home just before 9:30. After my return we finished cleaning the house, and went to bed.
On the day after Christmas, we decided to brave the mall for some hopes of an after Christmas deal. We not only chose a mall, but we went to the Mall of America. There were masses of crowds. The deals weren't a good as I had hoped, and I didn't buy anything. However Bryn-Erinn and Terri found Alpaca sweaters for a great price. They also found some other odds and ends, including chocolate and some finds at the Nordstrom Rack. We walked all the floors and saw all the shops that everyone wanted to see. All in all it took us 5-6 hours.
On the day after the day after. The girls woke up early and went to Bryn-Erinn's studio, Core, to do a pilates work out. While they were gone I took the opportunity to hit the ice and do some hockey drills. I broke my stick taking some slap shots so at some point I will need to replace the blade. After wards we all got back together and went to one of Bryn-Erinn and mine favorites, "A taste of India" for a big lunch. We ate great curries and I had some of the best chicken vindaloo that I have ever had. After our feast,
I decided that I would like to graduate from the hand-me-down kitchen table that I have been using as a computer desk to a real desk. This took us on another shopping adventure. I first looked at Target. I then took the group to Costco. We then traveled to Office Max, followed by Ikea. After looking at all the options, I decided to go with the one desk that they had at Costco. It took me about two hours to clear off my old desk, to clean the area, and to put together my new desk. I think that it turned out great. Thanks Mom and Dad. And now it is a joy to type on, it is the right height, and I can put my legs under the table. We finished off the night by watching "Hairspray", and going to bed very tired.
