Boxing Day

Coyote Valley RV Resort
Morgan Hill, CA

We had a great Christmas with not only my parents,

but my oldest son, Adam, and his girlfriend, Candee.

I sure wish my youngest son, Austin, could have been here, 

but it's hard for him to get off work and then fly out to California from Colorado.

We decided to drive down Christmas Eve and spend the night.

It's not a long drive, only about 35 miles, but with the price

of diesel, the more we can save, we will :-)

Christmas eve was spent worshiping at the Lutheran church

that I attended when living in Salinas,

St. Ansgars

They had a beautiful candlelight service,

and it was nice to see all my friends and how their children have grown up!

Our tradition is to have Chinese food Christmas eve.

We left church and drove to the restaurant that we know

is always open..

and they were just closing!

**sniff, sniff**

Not wanting to drive around and find another one,

we ended up at

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse

Somehow it wasn't quite the same,

but the food was ok.

I'm still amazed at how many businesses are open 

on Christmas eve (or Christmas day for that matter!)

Christmas morning we lazed around a bit, 

then went to the church's Christmas morning service.

We came back to my parent's house and started preparing Christmas dinner.

I made an appetizer..goat cheese with mango chutney..

while George peeled potatoes..

my Dad made us Mimosas..

and my Mom got the meat ready..

The table looked lovely!

Before we started stuffing ourselves,

we opened the presents that Santa deposited.

George and I made it known not to get us anything,

as we only bought for the two grand kids and my two sons.

They didn't listen :-)

George was very surprised to get an ice maker..

(he only has been hinting at it for 3 months!)

My Mom was thrilled..

my Dad bought her a full set of

Shun knives..

Adam is a sous chef at a local restaurant,

so he got some great cookbooks and knives as well..

It was a great time with family!