Christmas Eve on St. Andrews Lane

We have spent 12 of 14 Christmases on St. Andrews Lane. One time away was the Karlen Christmas in Arizona and one was two years ago when we left on Christmas Eve to beat a storm coming to Pender. And no, the boys will not let me forget it. 

I love that we all want to be home for Christmas. We did some last minute shopping, some baking, played some games and pool and made some chowder while we waited for Christmas Eve. I also snuck in a little walk given it was pushing 70 degrees and got the wrapping done with Marshall while the boys played pool. 

It was a typical Christmas Eve for us - some cards, eating fish chowder in the dining room, opening a few gifts (including our matching ski pjs) with grasshoppers, and watching a holiday show. Mostly, it is time spent together as a family of four cherishing our traditions and time together. 

A Wicked Good Day

We made the most of our Sunday together. Morning = Wicked for Good. Afternoon = naps, football, 3D printing, wrapping presents. Evening = pickle ball and puzzling (and line dancing for Tanner). Definitely a wicked good day. 

gifts continuing to arrive

I was the worst, but it was fun! 

action shot (thanks to Alana!) 

Merry Everything

Even though the weather says otherwise, there are signs of December around. A few pics from my day working downtown with coworkers last week, a festive party at the Wilbanks on Saturday and an impromptu holiday celebration at the Wright's on Monday night. Merry. Merry. Indeed. 

friends that are like family

love these two hanging out 

Our Hawkeye is Home

Tanner's finals wrapped up on the 18th of December so he didn't get home until the 19th. Fortunately, his flight was not too delayed due to the winds, but it was quite a bumpy ride in according to Tanner.

It was a casual night at home with everyone - "aperol"spritz drinks (with the liquor from a local distillery), football and a full house. 

HOME 

the countdown to Christmas placemats remain 

Holiday Happenings

 I say it over and over again, but we are so fortunate to have Louisville as our home. We have so many different communities within our communities and this week is no different. 

On Tuesday, we headed over to Superior for a gathering of the "22 Moms" (a nod to the year our boys graduated from high school) as well as the hubbies and sons. How wonderful we got to not only catch up with the adults, but also with all the young back for the holiday. I'm glad that Drake still keeps in touch with these folks and gets to spend time with them when he is home. 

Tonight, the dads and sons headed to Bambei for trivia. I don't know the outcome, but the teams were sons vs. dads. Who will come back with bragging rights?? 

Leopold Distillery

 Marshall had a great idea to stop by Leopold Distillery on the way back from the airport on Saturday (their tasting room is only open on Saturdays). We were each able to sample a variety of their spirits and also enjoyed some yummy food. We also sat next to a woman that graduated from Wisner Pilger in 1995 - what a small world! 

Logan's Christmas Shoppe

Marshall, Drake and I volunteered with the Wrights at the Logan's Christmas Shoppe on Sunday afternoon. Drake was on check-in duty with Benji, Marshall and Paul served coffee and cookies and I was a shopping ambassador. It was nice to be able to give back with our time and get in the holiday spirit as well. 

Campus Grad Photo Shoot

A chilly Sunday morning after finals meant a quiet campus for a (quick) informal graduation photo shoot. Congrats to our Redhawk. "To think that in such a place, I led such a life" ~ Dr. Philip Shriver, former Miami University President. 

standing on the seal - a no no prior to graduation 

Upham Arch

touching the turtle heads for good luck 

The Last Teenage Birthday

Tanner celebrated his 19th birthday in Iowa City. We were able to FaecTime with him while he opened his gift which was great. He had full day of classes and got the cookie we ordered to kick off the weekend. 

It's hard not to be able to celebrate with him in person, but hopefully he felt the love through his gift and the cookie. 

It's also hard to believe this is the last teenage birthday in the Peavy household. We're looking forward to celebrating in person when he gets back to Colorado. Happy, happy birthday to our frisbee loving, machine tinkering, kind-hearted son. 

FaceTime with the birthday boy

cookies delivered (and birthday headphones in use!) 

birthday memories 

Miami Grad!

Drake walked across the stage at Millet Hall on the Miami University campus on Friday December 12th to celebrate earning his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Farmer School of Business. He graduated Summa Cum Laude (top 2% of students) as well as Honors in Economics. We were happy we could celebrate ALL the hard work he has put in over the last 3.5 years. 

It was a brisk day for graduation and we filled the day with lunch at Gaslight Brewhouse, celebratory drinks at Little Rudy's (while I ran out and got the stole and tassel) and then the afternoon ceremony. 

We toasted the graduate at his house with pizza, cheap champagne (all that was cold at the liquor store) and a nice bottle of whiskey (thanks to Drake's friend - here's looking at you Peter!) while watching the 1st period of the Miami hockey game. We then ventured over to Goggin Ice Arena and cheered on the Redhawks with a bunch of Drake's friends. It was an exciting finish as the Redhawks beat Colorado College in a shootout! 

The evening wrapped up with drinks at CJ's (an Oxford institution) where Peter and Drake paid the bartender (a good friend) in pennies. We also saw the water ski team there. I'm not sure drinking a drink that is electric blue is a good life choice, but I enjoyed my beverage and soaking it all in. 

Congrats to our Miami grad! Most of all, we are so proud of the young man you have become. What a joy and privilege it has been to watch you grow and flourish during your time in Oxford. What a special, special place. 

steaming the wrinkles out! 

lots of time spent at this establishment over the years 

Little Rudy's - one of the few places open on Friday afternoon 

we found him! 

standing for Summa Cum Laude 

he did it! 

🩷

"champagne" 

watching sports and eating pizza 

Redhawks win! 

paying in pennies! 

at CJ's