December 21, 2024 - Elaine and Ian flew in yesterday and Meg and Maddy got here today. We have reservations tonight at the Jazz Kitchen for the Huntertones, a Columbus band that is now based in Brooklyn. Negah Santos was a special guest on the bongos.
A walk on the Monon
Our house is full, yay!
Cheers!
We pulled out our new Michigan Rummy set and taught the kids how to play
Everyone liked it
Cosmos at the Jazz Kitchen
Group pic
Elaine's having fun!
The tree is finally decorated!
We have a tall tree this year!
December 22, 2024 - We walked to Rene's for Cinnamon rolls and pastries. In the afternoon we headed out for pub stroll 2024. After the stroll we went home for our annual group cook...lots of appys!
the cinnamon rolls were "abnormally large" (& good)
Pub #1 - Kilroys for the pizza rolls and beer.
and sweet potato fries
Pub #2 - Broad Ripple Tavern for some pool
Fireball - tastes like heaven, burns like hell
pretty sunset on the rainbow bridge (just can't see the sunset very well)
walking to next pub stroll stop
Pub #3 - Broad Ripple Brew Pub for some darts
we're bundled up for the walk home
there were a few empties by our front door
group cook...pigs in a blanket, baked bacon/cheese crackers, thai meatballs, and hot wings.
Dec 23, 2024 - Christmas Eve the Baumgardners are coming along with Mom, so we decided to open our Secret Santa gifts today. For dinner we're headed to St Elmo in downtown Indy.
A walk to town
quick trip to Rise and Roll
some fun with Kev's new feature on his phone...two Maddy's?
where are they coming from?
Oh no! Now we have two Meg's
time for some rock band
Secret Santa time. Maddy was Kev's secret Santa and bought him this cute sweater!
Kevin bought Elaine this wooden bowl
Elaine got Meg a new swimsuit
sistas
Meg drew and framed a pic of 6908 Ralph Ct
I got Ian a sweatshirt from High St Deli in Los Osos
Ian got Maddy a Pendleton blanket
Selfie in front of St Elmo
St Elmo is decorated for Christmas
before dinner we walked to the tree
yummy steaks
St Elmo from the parking deck
Dec 24, 2024 - Today the Baumgardners get here and we'll do our white elephant gift exchange and have our Christmas dinner.
Donut cheers!
Stockings
Reindeer games to determine the order of the white elephant opening
dinner
a walk on the Monon
Gram's here!
a Santa (on the toilet) ornament and tea towel
telestrations (Kev drew this scary thing)
Dec 25, 2024 - Elaine and Ian had an early flight out this morning, and Ann & Erich left for Emily's after breakfast. We had a fun relaxing Christmas with Meg & Maddy and Gram.
We have a few santas here today
The Christmas gang
Meg & Gram
Rock Band
Dec 26, 2024 - For lunch we headed to Skyline, then spent the afternoon in Carmel
3 way Chili
A walk down the Monon
Meg & Maddy
snowmen?
a quick game of ping pong
and a swing on the porch swing
A quick stop at SunKing for a beer
Maddy made us Thai soup...so good and so pretty, it matches my bowls!
Dec 27, 2024 - Today is the last full day with Meg and Maddy. We booked a bay at Top Golf for 2 hours. Lots of fun!
Our house is going to be so lonely when Meg & Maddy leave tomorrow! We sure enjoyed having the kids here for Christmas.
