Christmas 2019

December 22, 2019
We loaded up the car and drove down to join the Williams clan in Decatur for Christmas. Sadly (sort of) we only made it through the first two discs of The Fourth Tower of Inverness on the drive down. There was music, napping and just staring out the window to compete.
In Decatur, we were greated by Zeus, Rachel's dog. She and Sam drove in from Flagstaff with both their dogs. And Kate and Sean and Sally and Alex are now Atlanta residents so they are local. Steve, Helen and Aaron drove down from Boone and Raleigh to fill out our crew at Loren and Susan's house.
December 23, 2019
December 23, 2019

The evening of the 23rd, the younger generation had their cousins dinners. Another great Decatur tradition: the older cousins were off to a nice dinner with drinks and Lyft to get home. Starting this year, the younger cousins were off to dinner and games while those remaining had a nice Korean BBQ dinner.

But before they left, there had to be photographic evidence: that's Robert, Aaron, Peter, John and Paul being recorded by Susan. Meanwhile, Omar and Zeus were already missing their humans; the older cousins took off a bit earlier.

December 23, 2019
December 23, 2019
With Kate and Sally being local, and both being foodies, they took over the Christmas eve lasagna making. With the table set for 18 (!) that huge, delicious lasagna was gone; leaving smiles on everyone's face.
December 24, 2019
December 24, 2019
December 24, 2019
December 25, 2019
Which takes us to the big day. The stockings (many) were hung over the fireplace (with the warm weather, no need for a a fire). With family local to Atlanta, we waited both for the house to wake up and for the family to all head to Loren and Susan's to open presents.
December 25, 2019
December 25, 2019
December 25, 2019
December 25, 2019

In the group shot we have: Christmas tree and seated, Sean, Kate, Sally, Alex, Robert petting Nell; back row Loren, Steve, Helen, Sarah, David, Susan, Aaron, Rachel holding Zeus, Sam and Omar coming out from behind the couch.

There was a lot of cooking after the presents were unwrapped. Then we headed to the Thims for the traditional Christmas dinner party. Sally was in charge of the croquembouche to top off the fantastic meal; clearly it was lovely, as was the whole meal.

December 25, 2019
December 25, 2019
December 25, 2019
December 26, 2019
The next day, Robert and Aaron spent a good part of the day putting together the very cool ROKR laser cut wooden marble runs.
December 26, 2019
December 26, 2019
We headed back North on Friday the 27th in order to stop around Danville so we could visit the otherwise very inconviently located AAF Tank Museum. The scale is truly astounding: row after row of armoured vehicles. With some extra's added to the mix; like the "Velicoraptors, Why are they the tanks of past?" display. It was very interesting way to break up the drive. Sarah was struck by the various attempts to make new armoured vehicles that just didn't work out: federal contracting for DoD is different from what she deals with. Robert was intrigued by the radio controlled tank battle on their huge diorama. David was thinking about the fixer up half-track for sale.
December 28, 2019
December 28, 2019
December 28, 2019
December 28, 2019
December 28, 2019
December 28, 2019
December 28, 2019
It was too quick a visit with family. But we know of at least two more gatherings coming this year: Sam and Sally have both picked dates for their weddings!

Vacation notes: