Christmas in Casa LoLo

I realize that it is 6 days after the New Year...oh well. Always late, but worth the wait - that's my motto!

I just wanted to let you all know that we had a fantabulous Christmas here at Casa LoLo!

BBJ was properly grateful for all of her gifts...

(Either that...or she figured out that she's more likely to get her hands on the Chocolate Truffle M&Ms if she gifts Grandma a kiss!)

She loved opening up her gifts...Wall-E was definitely a highlight this year. My baby girl has discovered the world of Movies. All she asked Santa for was "Wall-E." Tinkerbell is in constant rotation through her stories, and Kung Fu Panda ought to be classified as an Opiate in this house!

I received some very lovely gifts, including this fabulous steamer. (Seriously - how could I call myself a LoLo and not have the ability to steam three dozen dumplings at once?! I'd be ashamed to show my face to the family.)
BBJ was even so helpful as to open all of our gifts for us, to save us the trouble. Such a good girl!

And oh how she loved the Christmas tree with all of its treasures underneath!

Here's Grandma, showing off her stocking. In Lo Gung's family, the stockings were traditionally stuffed with a few oranges, a new toothbrush, some gum, a few mints and maybe a few Hershey Kisses. Not so in my family! In our house the stockings are filled with candy (the more exotic, the better), small toys, gum, mints, various pens and pencils for school (who wants to go back to school with their same stubby pencils after break!) and usually one larger gift off to the side. (The larger gift was usually car insurance, after a certain point, in exchange for good grades. Yea, Santa!) This year, we tried our best to integrate the two traditions - the stockings were half-way full with every exotic candy Target had to offer...and a few oranges. Here's to compromise!



The most awe-inspiring present this year, though, was the one Lo Gung received from my father. If you'll recall, we've been having an issue with our "sub tenants", as our landlord calls them. (I call 'em squirrels in the attic...but who am I to quibble details?) As my father discussed the issue with my husband, it became increasingly clear that my sweet, city-born husband was gaining some American Country Boy tendencies, to put it delicately. He wanted those squirrels gone, out, vanished...and preferred to take his vengeance on them, if at all possible. During the remainder of the visit, trips were made to home stores and sports stores. Plans were laid, traps were set, fires were lit. (There appeared to have been a squirrel in the chimney - Lo Gung was merely encouraging him to find a speedy exit! It didn't work. He instead came down the chimney and launched himself into Lo Gung's lap. He received a swift kick from my quick-thinking husband and then he ran across the room and disappeared into a hole in the ceiling above the boiler.)

After that, it was time for Plan B. (For those of you who have seen it, do you think my father's love for the movie A Christmas Story had anything to do with the purchase of this gift?)

Christmas afternoon was whiled away with target practice on box after empty box, and lots of giggling...from the two men.

(*Don't worry - it's just a pellet/BB gun. It's strong...but still just a pellet gun. We're not that crazy!

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas!!!