Without further delay, I'm uploading photos of the wonderful time we had at the Masterson Christmas in Center. Christmas and New Year's was full of hustle and bustle and now that the decor is all packed away and I've gotten back into the swing of things, the blog is getting updated.
Christmas in Center was a truly wonderful, loving experience. We arrived at Hawkeye and much to the girls surprise, there was fun in store! They loved the accomodations (thank you, Ron & Linda!) and all the activities that would soon follow: paddle boating, canoeing, fishing, games, exploring, chatting, lots of eating, and just getting away from Austin for awhile. The girls made some new friends in Drew, Storm and Erica and they've discussed keeping in touch last I heard.
Friday evening was spent at David and Mary's where I experienced first-hand the brutality (and love!) that occurs with the exchanging of gifts via "Chinese Christmas". I'd always wanted a mandoline slicer... No really--I did! However I always feared slicing off an extremity with this razor-sharp contraption. Melanie and I watched the DVD that came included, but Riley didn't. The last knuckle on his right ring finger is still healing.
Saturday was spent canoeing and taking in the quiet. Hawkeye is truly a quiet place and I enjoy the solitude that can be had there. That evening, everyone dressed up for the traditional Christmas and Riley even got me singing! I'd only taken in half a glass of liquid courage before it was time to sing...but I did it for him and though probably off-key, off-tempo and really lacking any singing talent whatsoever, I think he enjoyed the experience. "Baby it's cold outside..."
Sunday became another day of much-needed R & R, game playing and visiting family. Monday, we began to head homeward but took a few moments to show the girls and visit the bench the Masterson men had made in Doris' honor. She was dearly missed but undoubtedly lives on in each waking moment of all who loved her.
On the way back to Austin, we stopped by for a nice, but short visit with my family, Mom & my brother, Ryan. Riley had never seen her home before and commented on how tolerant Mom was. You see, our family is a bit precocious and sarcastic when we're together. It can often be exhausting if you're new, as the competition heats up to see who can make who laugh the longest and loudest hopefully without the expense of others, but genuinely it's all out of love.
Hope you and yours had a very blessed, happy, peaceful Christmas!
