On Saturday night, we were finally able to celebrate Christmas with the grands. Because of various travel and work conflicts, and a whole plethora of illnesses, it turned into a very belated but still very merry (January) Christmas. (Unfortunately, Sarah and Gage couldn’t be with us because he was not feeling well.)
Before dinner, the fellas ran out back to shoot a few hoops. I looked at them playing and thought back to when Nathan was about 4 years old and running around that same hoop with his dad, uncles, and cousin. Oh, the memories.
Our family’s tradition has always been to have breakfast for dinner at Christmastime so we continued that delicious tradition with plenty of help from the next generation of Smiths.
Nathan was always in charge of doing the eggs while growing up, so it only seemed right that he pass his skills along to Madi who loves to cook.
Grayson got up a close-up look at the making of buttermilk pancakes.
And then it was time for the gifts! (Please ignore our ornament-less tree. We ran out of energy to do anything beyond setting up the pre-lit tree.)
Steve got him a model of one of the plans his dad used to fly, an F-111D.
That particular gift came at the end of a scavenger hunt which included Noah having to climb the steps to the attic. Big stuff!
Madi also had a scavenger hunt for her big present. And in this case, it was big in every sense of the word.
She had to get her dad to do the heavy lifting.
What was in the box?
A keyboard! She’s been wanting one for such a long time. She is so excited about learning how to play.
Grayson got a hammer of his own, which is a very big deal for a little guy who likes every kind of hands-on building/deconstructing activity.
Andrew got all things Paw Patrol
and also a hammer of his own!
Andrew’s treasure hunt took him outside.
She was glad to have all the presents under the tree moved so she could reclaim her festive relaxing spot. I don’t know why she is so attached to that tree skirt!
When the wonderful, memory-filled activities had been completed and the family had left for the night. Steve set up shop in the kitchen to clear away the mess telling me to “go get some rest.”
Although those words weren’t wrapped in paper, they were a wonderful gift. He’s a keeper!
Before I close, I wanted to post a photo from Christmas 2002, right before Sarah headed into transplant. Sitting near that tree, we were facing the fact that there was a strong chance she wouldn’t be with us the following year.
January 10, 2024 marked her 21st anniversary since the transplant. We are ever so grateful . . . always.
What about you?
Does anyone besides us still have your tree up? What’s the longest your tree has ever been up?
Are there particular days/special anniversaries your family celebrates?
What are you looking forward to this week?
Somehow someday, after all of these decades, there should be a Smithellaneous meetup.
Ellen,
That WOULD be fun, wouldn’t it? 🙂
Our trees have been down for a little over a week. This year I put up 4. I always miss the trees and the lights. But it was time.
It’s too bad that Sarah and Gage couldn’t join in the January Christmas. Hope Gage is feeling better.
My memory isn’t as great anymore but I think I made a fleece blanket for Sarah many years ago. Maybe My Little Pony? She really is a neuroblastoma miracle.
Time goes by so fast. Hard to believe I’ve been following your blog for over 20 years. Neither of us have gotten that old. 😏
Elaine,
Thanks for that reminder; I had completely forgotten that Sarah liked My Little Pony? And thank you for your thoughtfulness in making that blanket for Sarah.
I am in awe of anyone who gets up more than one tree. We feel proud of ourselve to just get up one! I know you must really enjoy them throughout the season.
Don’t be too impressed. Only the big tree gets dressed to the nines. The others are pre-lit trees that I take out of the box, fluff a little, and plug in.
Oooohhh…hammers for little boys!!! What fun (and perhaps nerve-wracking??) gifts! Your Christmas looks so fun and it doesn’t matter when you celebrate it. Too bad Sarah and Gage couldn’t join in. Hope he’s feeling better soon. I usually leave the tree up until the weekend after New Year’s. That’s it. Time to get everything back in order. 🙂
We are looking forward to some sunshine and warmer temps next week. We just have to get through one more arctic blast with sub-zero wind chills. (Expecting around -31 Saturday morning.) Brrrrr!!!!!! We haven’t had a winter like this in a long time. SOOOO ready for Spring!
LeeAnne,
I’m quite sure Nathan has confiscated the hammers and put them in a place where they have to ask for them. He’ll put together some “pounding projects” for them. 🙂
Yes, I’m right there with you, wishing for spring. And I’m not even in sub-zero temps. Although our “feels like” temp this morning is 13 so that’s pretty impressive for us southerners!
I love that you have a particular date when the tree comes down. It makes sense to do it the first of the year, clearing away the old and starting the new.
Glad you were finally able to have your Christmas get together. Sorry Sarah and Gage weren’t able to be there.
I don’t have a tree up but I never put one up this year.
I was looking forward to leaving for Florida tomorrow to visit a good friend. Unfortunately, her disabled sister who lives with her took a fall the night of the 8th and was in the hospital until this past Saturday. Yesterday was my friend’s final day to work before retirement. Because of that, we have postponed my trip so that my friend can make other arrangements for her sister who is almost 70. She has realized that she just can’t take care of her at home any more and have any kind of personal life herself. Add to this the fact that I started feeling crummy Sunday, likely I got it from my mom who I spent the entire day with last Wednesday. I did a COVID test last night and it was negative. My mom ran a fever and had to go on oxygen a couple days but seems to have recovered.
The thing I am looking forward to is to get out of this deep freeze the KC area is experiencing. Today we finally hit the freezing mark but Friday is supposed to be single digits again. School districts have had to cancel several days due to snow/ice and extreme cold. Next week looks to be in the 40s, fingers crossed. The Chiefs game on Saturday was the coldest for Arrowhead Stadium ever and the 4th coldest NFL game ever. I enjoyed watching it from the warmth of my house.
Phyllis,
Football fans who go to watch a game in freezing weather are beyond my comprehension. True dedication!
Sorry your friend is having a difficult time, your mom has been sick and you’ve not felt well. Hopefully, things will start looking up and temperatures will start GOING up!
We DO still have our tree up! I was so ill with flu or maybe Covid before Christmas, and only felt a little better by Christmas Eve – so I felt I hadn’t had my ‘fill’ of the tree and all its lights and ornaments – it’s so pretty at night when we go and sit in there and watch TV together. It’s a real tree too, so I’m amazed at how fresh it must have been when they cut it… it is still full green and only just now starting to drop needles.
I enjoyed seeing the Grands unwrap their presents – such happy faces!
I have not commented much this year due to family issues (mainly, my husband had a stroke in April, although he has made a ‘good’ recovery, though isn’t himself especially in his spirits) but i will always follow your family and love to read your stories. love to all xxx Teresa
Teresa,
Illness at Christmas and your husband’s stroke in April–definitely not an easy year for you all. I am glad to hear that he is making progress toward recovery but I can only imagine how difficult it must be for him to regain a sense of his old self. And when you husband struggles, it becomes your struggle too. Hugs to you.
I think it’s great you’re keeping your tree up longer since you missed out on the first part of Christmas. There are few things more cheery and therapeutic than a lovely tree. Enjoy!
i think this is one time where “better late than never” is very appropriate. How wonderful to be able to get together. Pray that Gage will be better soon. The picture at the end with Sarah and her lovely bare head – who would have thunk she would be married at this time. PTL. The pictures of the kids and their gifts is wonderful. such great expressions. They are so precious! A late Happy New Year to all! We continue to pray for complete healing for you Becky.
Sharyn,
Yes, quite a change between Sarah of old and the current Sarah. What a journey it’s been.
Glad you enjoyed the photos; thank you for your encouraging words and your prayers.
Twenty-one years!! What a miracle she is and continues to be! There are very few neuroblastoma survivors and maybe none with that longevity. Following your story all these years gives me hope for others.
Our dogs love to lay under the tree. It’s a mystery. I guess they think they are outside.
Happy New Year! May 2024 find you all with blessings abounding.
LL
Lisa,
Yes, twenty-one years is a rare number, indeed. So grateful for every single year.
I think it’s funny that your dogs like to lay under your tree, too. I guess maybe it’s something different and unusual so they’ve got to check it out. Or as you said, they could just be enjoying the great outdoors!
21 years !! To God be the glory ! All those scary days at Duke. Your blog was the first thing I would read as soon as I got home from work .
Trees still up ( no ornaments except one has faux berries and real orange slices )- I like the soft twinkling lights . We’ve got a winter wonderland here in Tennessee.
Dee,
A tree with faux berries and real orange slices? How delightful!
It warms my heart that you followed Sarah’s story so closely back in her treatment days. Those were precious days but days I never want to repeat.
So true ! Your gift of a wordsmith was so compelling ( still is ). We have a young , young couple in our tiny lil town whose one year old is finishing treatments next month for neuroblastoma . I shared Sarah’s miracle with the great aunt to give them hope … God has exceedingly supplied all their needs as they have had to travel and for lengthy stays . She had completed all her stem cell treatments, thank the LORD.
Dee,
Thanks for sharing Sarah’s story with that great aunt. Neuroblastoma treatment has come long a long way since Sarah was diagnosed and the younger the age at diagnosis, the better. Prayers for that little one-year old and her family.
Christmas in January with family together – it’s the perfect gift…. I hope Gage gets to feeling better quickly.
Our tree is still up, lights only – waiting for me to get the bag down and be able to put it back up on the shelf. It is nice to see with only lights – simple and beauty. However I will miss it when it comes down but…I will enjoy having the space back. 😍😁
Prayers that you continue healing and that Steve stays healthy!
Happy New Year!!
Beth
Beth,
I know, that’s the thing about trees. They are lovely but something had to be moved or rearranged to make space for them. It IS nice getting the space back. Steve got ours down Monday and we put the small table and lamp back in place. Ahhh.
Happy New Year to you, as well!
I’m so glad you (finally) got to celebrate with the grands, but sorry Sarah & Gage couldn’t be there. Maybe Tippi enjoys the softness/fluffy-ness of the tree skirt. Maybe you can add a few hearts and your tree can become a Valentine’s tree and stay up even longer. I hope you have a wonderful week.
SueEllen,
We actually did leave our tree up till Valentine’s Day one year–that was a little much! I guess we could have added a few hearts. 🙂
Yes, I think Tippi does like that texture of that skirt. She was sad to see it go.
Becky,
I’m so glad you got to celebrate Christmas!! Sounds like a wonderful time! Sorry Sarah and Gage couldn’t make it.
Our tree came down 3 or 4 days after Christmas. I just wanted my space back.
It was -5° here this morning! I had a dentist appointment at 9am. They called before my appt to say that they didn’t have heat. So not only did I go out in the cold, but I had a cool cleaning to go with it. Plus, when I got there the parking lot was full, (hard to keep Wisconsonites down) so I had to go down their hill to park, and walk up the driveway which was snowpacked and had ice spots. We just had 18″ of snow!! We beat everyone in the area, something I did not want to win! We even made the weather channel!
Happy to be home for the day and probably all week with our temps!
Sending a hug,
Carol
Carol,
OK. I have got to say you are my Hero of the Day. You went out in freezing weather with huge amounts of snow, traversed a treacherous parking lot and went to a dentist appointment in an unheated building? My little southern heart is quaking.
Eighteen inches is a lot of snow. If could send 3 inches this way, it would be much appreciated. Hugs back!
I’m so happy you finally got to have Christmas with the grands! I love your scavenger gift hunt idea. Their smiling faces show the hunt and the gifts were a hit! Good job, grandma and grandpa!
Your lighted tree looks so pretty! I took the ornaments off our tree after Christmas and left it up with just the lights for another week or so. The lights are so cheery and make the transition from all the Christmas excitement to the after Christmas doldrums easier to face. Now it’s on to Spring!
Love to all,
Deb
Deb,
Yes, indeed. I cam counting down the days to spring, my co-favorite season with fall.
I like your idea of leaving the tree up with just the lights as a transition. I can just picture how lovely that was in your comfy living room.
Hammers! What a fun gift!
Is this a sneak-peek of your new kitchen??? I’m so excited to see the transformation (we are still painting our cabinets, slowly but surely – we want to make sure it’s done RIGHT). 🙂
Is the tree skirt yours, or did it belong to Steve’s parents? Just wondering if it reminds her of them?
I think trees with just lights look lovely. 🙂
Stefanie,
Well, it was sort of an unintentional sneak peak. I was wanting to wait for a big reveal when it was all done but had to display some bits and pieces since we were cooking in there. 🙂
We haven’t started painting our cabinets yet because we are having an impossible time deciding on a color. Then Steve is going to install lights under the cabinets, we will get a couple of rugs and we will be DONE!
No, the skirt didn’t belong to Steve’s parents but that would have made a whole lot of sense if it had been theirs.
Mike installed undercabinet lights in our kitchen too – and it made a WORLD of difference! I think you will really enjoy it, once you have it available. 🙂
I’ve seen soooo many cabinet color options lately! My friend’s mom had hers painted a deep eggplant color. They’re GORGEOUS! But I went with “safe white” because I’ve always loved white kitchens. 🙂
Stefanie,
Yes, definitely looking forward to seeing the lights! Eggplant would certainly be an unusual color; I had to look it up online to see exactly what color it is!
My tree is still up, without decorations. Waiting for my friend Dave to take it apart and move it to the basement. Everything else is boxed up and waiting to also go downstairs.
I woke up to a very frigid morning of minus 20 degrees, but inside it feels warm and toasty. So far this season we got less than a foot of snow which is fine by me.
I am now feeding another feral cat and three kittens. They live in a semi broken down shed across the alley from my place. They don’t want anything to do with me other than providing them with food. I would never allow them inside the house because Milo is so old.
Glad you finally able to have Christmas!
Love,
Cindy
Cindy,
Bless you for feeding the mommy cat and her babies. You have a tender heart!
Glad your house is staying warm and toasty in the middle of some really cold weather. Brrr! Twenty below is COLD!
I think the dog likes the tree skirt cause the fabric is plush and soft, like a baby blanket, quite appealing apparently. Ruth
Ruth,
I think that’s probably true; it is a different feeling fabric than anything else we have in the house and it seemed to suit her just fine!