A Day Of Gratitude

The Kansas City Family

The Sun At 8:13

Screened In Porch

How lucky we are to have such a wonderful family spread across three states—children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. That is what yesterday meant to Evie and me. It's 9:30, and guess who just walked in? Nick and the family. It looks like a busy but fun morning and early afternoon. 

It’s 7:30 now, and I’ve been up in a quiet house for over an hour, reading on my computer and thinking back over Christmas Day at our grandson Nick’s home in Roeland Park, Kansas—so far from our home on Chautauqua. At 8:00, Mary briefly stopped to say hello before heading out for a workout at the gym.

Christmas morning at Tom’s house was calm and uneventful as we lounged around before getting ready to head to Nick and Audraya’s. After coffee and breakfast, everyone took showers and got “gussied up,” more or less. We were bringing dinner—pasta and meatballs—along with gifts, mostly for the boys. Because of the size of one gift—a slide for Rhys and Tommy from Tom and Mary—we had to take two cars.

With Our Great Grandsons

Kitchen Talk

Audraya's Charcuterie Board

The half-hour drive was easy, with most roads nearly empty as families stayed home opening presents. We arrived around 10:45 and were greeted by the smell of Audraya’s homemade cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee. We gathered around the table, enjoying breakfast while watching Rhys happily devour pieces of the rolls. If one of us said “enough,” he simply moved on to someone else for another bite. Smart kid.

Tommy and Great Grandma

After breakfast, while Tommy napped, we exchanged gifts. Our favorite was a photo album from our granddaughter Marlena, filled with pictures from her summers at Chautauqua with her cousins. Each photo included a short comment on the back—what a treasure. We love it. The gifts were a hit all around: Audraya with clothes and a cookbook, Nick with a golf club, Marlena with AirPods and a down coat, Mary with a full-length wool coat, and Tom with an assortment of T-shirts. Rhys, of course, was thrilled with everything. Watching everyone open their gifts was a joy.

Out For A Walk

Grandma Mary Chasing Rys

What A Big Boy

Afterward, we relaxed. Rhys took a solid nap, and I managed a short one myself. Later, we took a walk around the neighborhood with Rhys. The weather was mild enough for just a fleece or light jacket, and Rhys was clearly the star of the show. We spent about half an hour enjoying the late-afternoon air before returning for wine and football in the living room. I was especially happy to hold Tommy J for a good half hour, passing him around as he remained content and cheerful.

Three Tommys

Marlena And The Boys

We ate around 6:00—Tom and Mary’s pasta, meatballs, and fried chicken. Not exactly a traditional Christmas goose, but delicious and filling. The boys stayed up until about 7:00, when Tommy fell asleep with his bottle and Rhys, after a bath, reluctantly headed to bed, quickly succumbing to exhaustion. We watched the first quarter of the Kansas City–Denver game before heading home, the car loaded with leftovers and goodies.

Taking A Bath

Enjoying Pasta And Meatballs

Grandparents And The Boys

Dad Feeding Tommy J

Once home, Evie went straight to bed while Tom, Mary, and I stayed up to watch the rest of the Chiefs game. Marlena lingered as well, texting and talking with friends. We finally turned in around 9:45 after the Chiefs’ loss.

Oh, what a day.