A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER!

Our beautiful Christmas decorations were taken down, with the first group of orange plastic bags, surrounding the small bulb, were removed after twelfth night!  We have become quite defensive, and protective when others make fun of our orange plastic bags.  The '70's' (probably short lived) festive embellishments light up our entrance, and each block have their share of what are known as luminaires.  Christmas is officially over, and the new year cometh!

Another sabbatical was not planned, but was probably going to be inevitable, due to my very busy, and amazingly wonderful winter wonderland!  It started on the Friday before Christmas when my daughter-in-law and two older grandsons arrived from England, flying the flag across the Atlantic to arrive to a tumultuous welcome as they exited the baggage hall.  My daughter, youngest grandson and I stood waiting, with a banner, "Let the commotion begin - Cousin time!" displayed for all to see.  I did think that everyone was laughing at the sign, but then realised, (as I did not give it thought,) that I was wearing my annual 'elf-day' dress.    Grant had picked me up in the morning, and commented, delightfully, that it must be Christmas, due to my attire, and I made a comment about how I could hear my mother's voice, calling me from the grave, "Tracie, cover your knees, you don't have the legs for that dress; you are also far too old to dress like that!"  There was a time when I would have reacted, probably negatively, but now I can laugh, and at my age, wear what I want!  However, I digress.  The trio exited the luggage hall and hugs were abound!

I drove with Steph back to our favourite Friday haunt, with the boys going in the truck.  It was their choice to frequent our beloved restaurant, and although exhausted, they were beaming with joy.  We arrived home, unpacked the bus that Steph had rented, and enjoyed a little bit of 'catch up' before we all went to bed.

An early morning started with a walk through the woods to the adjoining neighbourhood.  It was not hot, but for the British contingency, it was warm.  Despite the weather warnings earlier in the month, a new round of prognostications came forth, announcing record high temperatures.  Dressed in shorts and t-shirts, we headed for Costco, to satisfy my middle grandson's want, to taste all the samples.  We lunched at Sonic, and spent the afternoon by the pool.  It was a little too cool for me, but the boys enjoyed themselves almost getting wet!  Finally Ollie jumped in and it was 'game on'!

Breakfast on Sunday had to be at IHOP.  Pancakes, hot chocolate, and lots of America!  The day was planned out, including a period by the pool, then to see the Christmas lights in Round Rock, and then to the pizza buffet.  It seemed that the kids would go into 'overload', having never been to Texas during the yuletide season.  'Everything is bigger in Texas' was certainly going to be realised during their two week stay.  I ran into the pool in the afternoon, showing them that Grandma could still beat them to the punch, although I did not stay in for as long as them.  It was too cold for the youngest one to partake, so he stayed inside watching Moana for the umpteenth time, with Poppa now able to sing each song!  Our evening trip was the perfect end to the weekend, with the older boys being introduced to apple pie pizza, Bavarian cream pizza, and of course huge quantities of cinnamon rolls.  Normal eating could resume when they went home!  

I did not have the option to join in the festivities on Monday, or Tuesday, as work leading up to the 'big' day was relentless.  Monday evening we walked around the Domain village, where the lights were something to wow over, and ice cream abundant!  To sit outside at the latter end of December, and enjoy the warmth eating an iced treat was perfect.  Decorated trucks and other vehicles drove past as we sat and watched.  This was Christmas, Austin style!  

Despite having early nights, and waking early in the morning, by Tuesday, they had acclimatised.  However, we had to be at the radio station at seven.  We had been invited to join the festivities, the Christmas Eve Eve show!  Unfortunately there were not as many musical artists as the boys had hoped, but breakfast was a mixture of Tex-Mex tacos and wraps, with a side of chocolate covered pretzels, brownies and cup cakes.  Fried pickles and other vegetables were delicious.  I stayed until the end, and met some prominent people who were guests on the show.  It was quite an amazing morning.  I did go back to work, and then we had the ultimate fun evening.

Perhaps 'ultimate' is my perception, but laugh we did.  It had been a long day, with a three day holiday approaching, followed by the weekend.  Our office was officially closed but I knew my husband would be watching for emails.  We decided to go to the diner, Jim's.  Jim's is renowned for lots of food, but with a laid back service, and interesting staff.  Part of the establishment was our waitress.  A very well known English sketch, which became known as 'two soups' depicted our entire evening.  Taking our drinks order, which was water for everyone, plus one Pepsi, and one hot water with lemon would not normally be challenging.  Our waitress wrote all in longhand, and disappeared.  She arrived back with cold water for all, and was aware that something was not right.  Upon reminder, she left again, returning with the extras.  "Do you need a couple of minutes?" she asked.  We responded that we were all ready, (and had been for some time,) but she announced that she needed just a few minutes to use the restroom.  The boys looked shocked.  They could not hide their giggles as she disappeared out of sight.  "Who announces that?" was the comment from one.  When she returned, it was hard for the boys to give their order without tittering!  Our order showed up, almost complete!  The laughter continued, and I was delighted that they were all experiencing a good time!  When we returned home, I showed Steph the 'two soups' sketch and she shrieked with laughter and said, "That's our waitress".

Christmas Eve finally arrived, and the turkey was put in its bath.  My middle grandson was rather bemused, and looked for confirmation from his mother, when I asked him to pour a bottle of cola into the bowl, together with one of apple juice.  Sprinkled with cranberries, it was placed in the fridge to marinade.  He watched for me to throw away the concoction as it seemed a little bizarre!   We walked, and then went to Zilker park where we paddled in the water, and then went to the airport to collect my son.  

Driving to the airport, we took an exit to get coffee but the establishment advertised was not visible, so got on the main road again.  Just before entering the highway, across our path flew the flag with a very special passenger on board.  We parked, made our way to the terminal, and waited.  Being that Richard was traveling alone, we assumed he would be out fairly quickly.  However, many came out of the hall and we waited, patiently, to the side as we had been instructed by the security elf manning the desk.  Suddenly, a scream went up, Ollie flew at his dad, we all ran to the door area, and surrounded the precious cargo that had just arrived.  We were about to have the first full family Texas Christmas.  

Santa, apparently, made it down my chimney, ate mince pies, cookies, and allowed the reindeer (who did not appear to get down the chute) to nibble on the apples.  Not quite sure whether the boys still believed, (although it was considered very doubtful the older one still did,) the tradition remained, and presents were left on the hearth.  With potatoes partially cooked, and the turkey in the oven, we walked out into the beautifully warm morning and headed up through the woods.  

Dinner was wonderful, and we just lounged around, swapping presents, and watching the boys have fun.  I was walked around my house, so as not to see the disposal of all plates, cups and table clothes into the bin, as I am averse to throwing anything that can be reused, despite being disposable!  It was my idea to use disposable, but it is still a stretch to believe I will not at least try to recyle!

By the end of the day, we were all exhausted, having had a great day.  It was one I had yearned for.  My husband never managed to get across the pond to join the family in the past, and I had wondered if the Brits would ever want to make the trip here for the yuletide season.  It happened and it was everything I had hoped for.  A good, old fashioned, traditional (our traditional) family day.  Lots of eating, and lounging.  

We shopped on Boxing Day.  It is not called Boxing Day here, but it was fun.  We went to our usual Friday night haunt for dinner, and managed to spend some time by the pool.  Bargains were had at every stop, and everything appeared to be having a good time.  The weather was so perfect, despite being unseasonably high.  It was what my daughter-in-law had hoped for, and I was so pleased she got to enjoy a couple of hours, almost every day, in the sun.  

I have never been horse riding.  I wasn't going to get on a horse, but I was convinced this would be fun!  My daughter's friend has a friend with stables.  Richard took my youngest grandson, as neither wanted to ride, and the rest of us took off.  My horse held back for a bit, which meant I had to catch up.  I trotted!  Being a novice, I was quite amazed at how easy I found this!  Again, my mother's voice called to me.  "What are you doing, at your age.  What if you fall?  Why would you want to do such a thing?"  I have realised, over the years, if I did anything that she would not do, did not want to do, or was afraid to do, she would call me out if I tried!  I laughed.  Yes, at my age, I am riding a horse for the first time!

We lunched at a Mexican restaurant, where they had a playground for the kids.  Two of Cori's kids came with us, and my boys blended in as they all played together.  The sun shone, and we sat and bathed!  Another wonderful day. 

One of my son's enduring memories of Texas is the barbecue!  "Can we go to Coopers?" he had asked.  Although he remembered the meat, he also remembered the blackberry cobbler.  Food, glorious food!  We ate, and ate.  It was delicious.  Sitting on long benches, and eating from a piece of paper, with endless pickles and bread, the boys found this to be a unique experience.  After spending another afternoon at the pool, we got ready to go and look at the 37th Street lights.  Set up many years ago, as the weirdest Christmas lights, the original occupants had all moved out, and the tradition was going to die two years ago.  However, the new residents decided to keep up with the tradition. Space ships, unicorns, and a whole load of weirdness was still going on!  Another Austin special! We were still having fun!

Monday was cold.  Cold!  I wore a coat, hats and boots.  Rick and Steph went to the outlet mall, so Samantha and I took the boys to a soft play facility, where they ran around for three hours, not taking a breath.  "Why are you going down that slide?" said my mother's voice.  "At your age?"  My grandsons want me to!  I didn't go down the one that I was unsure about, the one that twisted and turned abruptly.  I do have some limits!  We then went to Round Rock Donuts, and on to the sports shop.  We came home, had hot chocolate and played games.  The kids arrived home, with Steph dumbfounded at how much Richard could shop!  "We are done now....oh lets just look in here...we are done now...oh look..."! she mimicked.  "Ross is calling for you" she joked.  "They said you didn't go to this location!"  At least they had a good day.

The weather rebounded, and we revisited Zilker park.  The water is heated by natural springs, and stays at a temperature of 69 degrees all year round.  We went into the lake, watched the fish come up and nibble at our legs.  A young girl was swinging from a rope into the lake a bit further down the path, and Ollie started to do the same.  They were the same age, and the girl's father was helping with the rope.  It was great to see the kids enjoying themselves.  

New Year's Eve was going to be spectacular.  At least it would have been, but we were all exhausted and could not stay up late enough to see the new year arrive.  It mattered not, as we had all enjoyed the day, and the clock turning from one day to the next suddenly seemed unimportant.  We were more interested in making the last full day in Austin a memorable one, than staying up late to see a few fireworks.  It may sound a bit of an anticlimax, but we did not see it that way.  New year's has always been a bit of an anticlimax for me.  Bah humbug maybe, but I have not felt I have missed out!  

The boys played basketball, went go karting, and just chilled.  I was starting to feel the loss of my family during the afternoon, dreading their leaving.  My house had been buzzing, and just like the 'old days' when my kids were young.  It had been full, loud, messy and generally disorganised, but I loved every moment.  I could clear up and clean when they had gone, something which I was not looking forward to!  

Our last day together we spent by the pool, packing and finally saying cheerio to Dana and Grant, and going out for one last meal.   Going to the airport, I was quiet, but content.  "Those people were on our plane on the way out" said Steph.  Two doctors with their children returning to England.  They were being seen off by their family.  "Saying bye to the grandkids?" I asked the other grandma.  We consoled each other.  We walked to the security area, We waved farewell.  The trip back home was in silence.  I was quite chocked up.  

Everyone had a great time.  A Christmas holiday to remember.  Going home to reality was just that.  The boys went back to school, I went back to work.  My youngest grandson could not quite understand why his cousins were not at my house, ready to play.  Thank goodness for technology and being able to connect so easily.  I received calls from my grandsons, and my son, all of whom were quite animated about their trip.  Steph messaged me saying that she was at her mum's and was telling her all about Christmas dinner, and the weather!  It was all perfect.

Hopefully, another sabbatical will not take place anytime soon.  It was for a good cause.  Seasonable weather has returned, as has the busy week.  Happy new year to one and all, and hopefully ..... another story!