2023 Trip 8: Flag, South Texas and Mississippi River: Dec. 26

Lordsburg, New Mexico

Merry Christmas family and friends, We hope you found yourself in a joyful and loved filled place these past few days.

Ed and I arrived late afternoon on Friday, December 22 to the Flagstaff home of my brother Lucien and his wife Joyce; my sister Kathy arrived later in the evening via plane. Lucien and Joyce’s home was beautifully decorated and there was beef stew and muffins waiting for weary travelers. The creche below was made by our paternal grandfather.

On Saturday, December 23, we…

…awoke to see snow capped peaks through the windows,

…had a light breakfast,

…delighted in watching birds enjoy the seed wreaths Lucien had made to place on the juniper wreathe he made for their patio,

…did errands and stopped for malts/shakes and light lunch,

…went to Little America Hotel and Restaurant for evening meal and tour of its Christmas decorations, as well as to shop in its gift shop,

returned home to watch a Christmas movie.

Christmas Eve Day is here!🎄 But first it is the 4th Sunday of Advent. So we went to Lucien and Joyce’s church (Episcopal church of the Epiphany in Flagstaff) for morning service and after helped the Altar Guild decorate the church for the Christmas Eve services that started at 4 p.m.

We had a Christmas Eve Day meal at 2 p.m. (pecan crusted cod, green beans, couscous salad) and then off to the Christmas Eve service.

Board games and desserts at home followed, although Lucien had to be involved in 2 services (verger at one and usher at another….very long night for him).

Christmas Day🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄,

…Christmas brunch,

…calls and Facetime to family in Minnesota, Massachusetts and Texas,

…gift opening around one of the three large trees decorated at Lou and Joyce’s,

…Christmas jigsaw puzzle time,

…elaborate evening dinner of Southwest pork tenderloin with cranberry-avocado salsa, salad and potatoes,

…another movie, and

…watched moon rising over their front yard.

Lou and Joyce have several mechanical Christmas decorations. We did video shots throughout Christmas Day of how these operated and sent them out to family across the country. Below is one of our video shots.

We are heading home via Mississippi today, December 26 after a wonderful family Christmas in Flagstaff.

Chris and Ed