Juilfs Jolly Jingle 2018

When the kids were young we always spent a night during the Christmas season to ooh and aah over Christmas lights and go out to supper.  It was a tradition we all enjoyed.  That fell by the wayside for many years, unless you count Bud and I driving through a few neighborhoods when we were out.  Fast forward to 2012 and we decided to do resurrect that tradition for the grandkids.

 We  called it Juilfs Jolly Jaunt.  We began by renting a van big enough to fit all of us, heating up the hot chocolate, buying some cookies, and heading to Coralville Aisle of Lights.

We have traveled to Clinton, watched a Christmas Parade,  toured Tannenbaum Forest, done many center activities, and seen many beautiful lights. Recently we have begun to come up with a theme and have a party in our home for the kids every other year.  We did The Polar Express a few years ago. Complete with the conductor!

 This year was the year to stay home, and our theme was "The Grinch". 

Lucky for us there was a new Grinch movie. (We decided our theme last year before we knew there was a movie.)  So we dressed up in our Whovillian gear and headed to see The Grinch. 

Seven large buckets of popcorn, numerous drinks, and lots of laughs later we headed to our house.

The Grinch was there trying to steal our gifts from under the tree!

We had a Grinch meal and then rotated through centers.  Our Menu:

 Would you choose a "Naughty" or "Nice" seat????  There was some trading around as the kids decided which they were!

We made a Grinch ornament.

Played a ring toss game.

And we played a candy cane game.

The photo booth was fun!

All of the kids left with some Grinch pills in case they lost their Christmas spirit.

 Of course they had to run the train around the tracks a few times!

We had some good Cindy Lou Who hair!

Aela and Evalie were checking out The Grinch while Maddux looked on.  Apparently they wanted to see what was under his coat!

I can safely say a good time was had by all!!

Thanksgiving in Texas--Part 2

    Our ultimate end location for Thanksgiving was Dalhart, TX.  So, after our quick few days in Dallas we headed that direction.  One always forgets how large the state of Texas is!  It was a six hour drive from Dallas to Dalhart.  Oh, my aching rear!!  Luckily my trusty driver got us there safely.

    On Monday and Tuesday we were able to spend some time with Chance and Colby doing a few things we don't get to do with them very often.  We took them to a movie--The Grinch!  A good time was had by all.

    I got to go to school to see them dressed for Thanksgiving Dinner.  It is a little strange, as the adults just go look at them all dressed up as they eat their dinner.  Thanks to Nessa for going with me!  You know you loved it!

Colby and Great-Nephew Graham

Charlie the Turkey

Chance the turkey

Eli the Turkey

KK

On Wednesday the girls and their families arrived.  We were all finally in one place! (minus Mike) First time since last Christmas!

Trina, Tanner, & family

Trilby's boys + Clayton

Aela & Clara

Those who had never been to Dalhart were given the tour of G & G Operators, feedlots, & many other highlights.  Many of us enjoyed a visit to a local dairy that makes use of a carousel for milking 100 cows at a time.

Maddux, Colby, & Graham had a great time together!

We then enjoyed supper together at Travis and Kerry's along with Mom, Aunt Ruthie, Kathy, and Aunt Corrine.

Thanksgiving morning Dean and Gay continued their tradition of making and delivering cinnamon rolls for everyone.  We did find that Dean has hidden talents!

The Juilfs begam clan peeling potatoes at Travis and Kerry's early in the morning, as we were in charge of the mashed potatoes among several other things.

 These four serenaded Grandpa with several renditions of "Happy Birthday" giving Grandpa a taste of his own medicine!

Clara and KK have been anxious to get together since we spent
time as a family in Omaha about 1 1/2 years ago.  They had
a great time!

  Then we all gathered at Dean & Gay's for dinner, swimming, card playing, & visiting. There was certainly no shortage of food!!

Aela, Evalie, and Charlee had a great time together!

 

Friday morning some of us shopped.  Yes, I shopped some on Black Friday!  NOT my idea, but we went later in the morning and there really weren't any crowds.  Some of the guys went hunting.

Payton & Clayton

Travis, Chance, Colby, Tanner

Tanner & Grayson

 By late afternoon we all gathered at Dean & Gay's again for more swimming, eating, card playing, and visiting.  We also celebrated Bud & Payton's birthdays.  PAYTON TURNED 18!!  I can hardly believe it!!

The Birthday Boys--18 & 62.

Evalie snuggling up with Great-great Aunt Ruthie!

 

The older cousins!  Nessa, Trilby, Chansee, Trina, Chase, Travis, Tasha

Our card games can get serious.  Sometimes
injuries occur.  Name calling happens.
Their are winners and losers.  And a lot
of fun!!

Throughout the week as I had time I helped Gay decorate her house for Christmas.  Gay, Kathy, & I spent a good deal of time decorating the huge tree in the living room along with the mantle and the bookcases on both sides of the mantle.  It was beautiful when it was done.

Saturday morning we gathered once again at Travis and Kerry's for some pictures.  We then loaded up and one vehicle at a time, we departed.  We had not planned to leave on Saturday, but impending weather in Iowa forced us to leave early.

Grandpa & the boys including our "adopted" grandson, Clayton.
Yes, Clayton is the tall one in the front.  

We are so appreciative of the hospitality all y'all (for the record, this means everyone in the group) Texans showed towards us Iowans!  From feeding us, housing us, having sleepovers, and entertaining us, to just spending time with us. I was so impressed with the kids.  We had sooo many young kids spending time together and they got along so well!   We also appreciate the girls and their families for changing their normal Thanksgiving plans, taking the time to drive that far, and spending the $$ to travel.  We made fabulous memories!!