Christmas At The Ranch

 

The Big Kids came home on Christmas Eve.

We love it when they are here.

They travel so much and have very busy lives.

When they are home, it seems they relax and enjoy the not so busy life on the ranch.

 

We become spoiled when they are here.

The Big Kids love to cook.

Flower Boy and I get to set back and watch their magic.

They always make the most gourmet type meals.

Christmas Eve dinner was no different!

 

Drewman and I headed off to Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at church.

When we returned, the house smelled of a joyous feast.

Prime Rib, Asparagus, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts, with Pineapple Cake for dessert.

Cha Ching!

Prime Rib has become a tradition for our Christmas meal.

Flower Boy says we wait all year for that meal.

The Big Boy makes it better than anything you could get in a restaurant.

Our Girl always makes the most scrumptious sides.

 

I was responsible for the cake.

I had to make two!

Not because the five of us could eat them, but because I had an epic fail while preparing the first.

I forgot to add baking soda!

I provide a Tip of the Day on social media.

Christmas Eve's Tip of the Day was "If you fail to add baking soda to a cake recipe, the cake will not rise nor will it brown.  It will resemble the qualities of a rubber mat!"

Hence the reason for the second cake.

 

Christmas morning is always a laid back time for our family.

We normally stay in our jammies and watch a Christmas movie.

This year we chose National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!

 

I'm not sure Drewman is awake!

 

Our girl is finishing up the Monkey Bread and Breakfast Casserole!

 

The Big Boy is watching the sports update while checking some emails.

 

Flower Boy is checking the weather.

We were hit by an ice storm a few days earlier.

(I will blog that later.  I snapped some amazing photos!  I need to figure out how to put a watermark on them before I post them.  Anyone?) 

    

 

Our gifts were opened just after we eat our breakfast.

Top gifts for each one of us:

I got a solar powered gate opener!

Flower Boy got a much needed creeper.

(one of those slide under a vehicle rolly cart things)

The Big Boy's favorite gift was the Garth Brooks Box Set.

(he was raised on Garth Brooks and George Strait)

Our Girl got pie making items.

(a Fiestaware pie baking dish, Signature measuring bowls/cups and a pie bird)

Penelope and Pembroke must have given Santa epic reports on Drewman, because he got a fancy 4 wheel drive RC car!

 

Speaking of Penelope and Pembroke...

I told you I would share the photos of their activities on the ranch.

These two are a mess!

 The first night they were at the ranch, they had a snowball fight!

 We think Penelope stuffed Pembroke in the button jar.

 They made up with date night.

 Spin the Bottle???

 These are the ornaments they stole from Drewman's tree.

They apparently DID NOT know this big guy was OFF LIMITS! 

 Helping to change the light bulbs...

 Elfies taking Selfies!

 They were having a party in the extra wrapping supplies.

I guess I should have cleaned up when I was finished.

 Hiding in the snack drawer.

 They stuffed our stockings!

EARLY!!!

 Their bag is packed and they are waiting on Santa to pick them up.

 One last trick!

GOOD TIMES!

P&P

We enjoyed our time with them.

We hope they return next year.

 

Our family had a marvelous Christmas!

We hope you and yours did too!