Look who came to visit Christmas Eve morning!
It's Yooper Brother Grandpa Santa Mark!

December 26, 2017 - Tuesday

20 degrees BELOW zero/clear/windy

Pentoga Road

Simply put, it's cold. Enough said about that.

It's been a fast and furious past two days that were filled with love, laughter, hugs, kisses, and WAY too much food.

I enjoyed this Christmas more than any other in a good many years. 

Isabella brought her mommy and daddy out to Pentoga Road Sunday morning. Who happened to show up a few minutes later but Hambone with his mommy and daddy.

Isabella and Grady became good friends last summer when Isabella was visiting from Wyoming.

They were catching up on old times when who should appear? SANTA!

Isabella was initially a bit hesitant, but there was nothing shy about Grady. He looked at the occasion as a prime opportunity to tell Santa exactly what he wanted for Christmas.

With a little encouragement, Isabella joined Grady as both talked to Santa.

Of course, everyone knows that Santa's not for children only. Mom lost no time in bending the old man's ear.

Santa's time was limited and he told us he needed to get back to the North Pole to pack his bag of toys to deliver later that night.

With promises that all the girls and boys, both big and little, would be good, the jolly old elf waved goodbye and made his way to the roof to board his sleigh and fly northward.

We enjoyed breakfast. Once again, Grady and Isabella used the time to catch up.

Isabella particularly liked Uncle Tom's honey berry jam.

I found an extra jar in the basement to send back to Wyoming with her.

Isabella particularly liked the puzzle I'd made for her. We spent quite a bit of time learning how to put it together.

With hugs, kisses, and I love you's, Grady and his mommy and daddy drove off to another social obligation. Isabella later gathered her mommy and daddy and they departed for Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri's. We'll see Isabella, Sarah, and Curtis before they fly back home.

Christmas Eve found us at Jeanne and Boyd's in Iron Mountain for the Annual Mighty Milligan Christmas Celebration!

Nancy and Sargie

Sargie and Trish

Auntie Hollyhock gave me a wonderful plate of Christmas cookies so I might have one per morning with my coffee. Unfortunately, between Mom, Sargie, and me, they'll be lucky to last another day or two.

Christmas morning saw Mom, Sargie, and me, opening presents. Santa was good to us all.

Mary, as in the mother of Baby Jesus

We enjoyed a small, informal luncheon at Taylor and Nicki's in Foster City Christmas afternoon. 

Sargie's back to work this morning. With the temperature threatening to dip to -20 accompanied by a brisk wind, I think I'll skip my daily walk. I plan on setting up my Alexa Echo that Sargie gave me for Christmas and playing with the other toys I received.

Nancy's giving Jeanne and me a few tips on how to become successful JC Penney models.

I'm sure Mom will stay close to the wood stove today and no doubt, we'll be watching some television.

Meanwhile, the coffee's done and it's time to start the day.

I had this made for Sargie for Christmas. 2012 was the year we were engaged, 2017 the year we were married.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...