Christmas 2024

Kulick Family

Boyer Family

We were blessed again to have all our family together for Christmas! Lydia and Chelsea arrived the Sunday before Christmas after driving from Colorado. Fortunately I was next door when they arrived and missed a lot of the bag carrying. 

Unfortunately they were two days late for our annual party raising funds for Giving Back. That party was a blast. We had friends, family and neighbors hanging out and working to support the homeless population in our area. We packed backpacks with warm clothes, and made ornaments and encouraging notes. 

Making Notes and Ornaments

Moving Out the Backpacks

More Ornaments

Winners of Best Dressed Award

Tuesday

Tuesday afternoon we went to Baltimore with Giving Back to distribute backpacks, clothing, lunches, toiletries, and cakes to poor people also made in the image of God. It was a blessing to the givers and receivers and yet it was somewhat overwhelming as well recognizing the time, effort, and support most of the people would need to flourish. 

On the Streets of Baltimore Passing out Backpacks

As soon as the outreach was complete, we zoomed out looking for dinner and bathrooms. Panera bread closed the moment we arrived. Five Guys the same. Fortunately, Qdoba came to our rescue and fed our hungry bellys and 7-Eleven provided bathrooms and caffeine. Finally we hit the road about 7:30 pm. 

The absence of traffic was awesome even in terrible places like New York City and New Haven Connecticut since no one in their right minds would be driving until 0330. Staying awake and charging the car was a bit miserable but for the love of the Kulick/ Bartlett family we persevered and arrived at the Golden city of Warwick, where we were momentarily locked out of our room. Fortunately Santa was quiet and did not wake any of us so Christmas started very late the next morning. 

Stuck in the Hallway

Wednesday

Christmas morning started with running to the hotel breakfast which was about to close and then wrapping a few presents which had escaped the early wrapping episodes. Scrunched in the hotel room, we began to open presents but ran out of time to finish before we needed to get ready to head to Aunt Christine's and Uncle Trevor's house for the party. For the first time ever we did not finish presents on Christmas nor begin with our stockings. Lol. 

Working Christmas Remotely

The party was a wonderful time with beautiful people we love but rarely see. We ate wonderful food made by everyone, but mostly the Daleys. We had a dance party hosted by oosen and a Jam session by Lydia, Alan, and Oosen. Uncle Trevor gave me much needed pointers regarding wood. We talked endlessly, catching up on everything we had missed for months. Surprisingly the lake was frozen and we were able to walk on the ice... until there was a loud snap and crack. And everyone slowly evacuated. Of course we sang a hearty, traditional happy birthday to the three celebrants. Finally we said our sorrowful goodbyes and son collapsed in our beds. 

The Frozen Lake

So Many Kulick’s

Thursday

Still tired we slept in before eating and then getting back to presents. Presents at this age are very different from ten years ago. Nether is better; each has its own beauty. 

Once we finished, we headed north to visit with Aunt Nancy, always a spitfire. She did not disappoint with her jumping and tai chi demonstrations. She regaled us with loads of stories some of which implicated Grandpa as villain. At 89 she has four tent camping reservations for 2025. We finished up with a tour of her basement to help with her disaccumulating project. She bequeathed Lydia and Chelsea snow shoes and me an antique kerosene lamp. I think I will get it running and for Halloween I will walk around the neighborhood swinging it and yelling, "Bring out yer dead." 

Visiting Aunt Nancy

After a quick EV charge, Walmart visit, and most importantly Rhode Island cold pizza purchase we met the Bartlett cousins at Legion Bowl for a duck pin extravaganza. It never fails that I am amazed at how quickly the girls connect and start having fun together. It was great to hang out all together. Bonus! We had Evelyn with us as an official family member. After reprising the "you can not separate us" song, hugs were given all around and we sadly separated. 

Finally Hanging out with the Cousins

Friday

We got out of the hotel pretty quick and headed to cousin Darlene's family plus uncle Don and aunt Diane. We had not seen them for years, so it was great to reconnect. They were so gracious serving hot chocolate, premium peanut butter balls, and RI cold pizza. 

Darlene, Uncle Donny, Aunt Diane and Family

It was a short visit and we hit the road. Apparently we had used up all our good traffic karma because the traffic was boq'n terrible driving from rhode island to central Pennsylvania. But, our miserable trip was rewarded with Meme at her door greeting us as we drove up plus the PA Boyers and Keith and Merrie. 

Saturday

We celebrated our Christmas this day. We kicked it off with peppermint and blueberry pancakes. Yum. After a slow morning with lots of goofing off we started making dinner with:

• Ham
• Carrot soufflé 
• Macaroni and cheese
• Sweet potatoes bake
• Cranberry sauce
• Rosemary and Asiago bread

Abigail kicked off a great Christmas caper with her idea to buy meme a new television. She had been talking about buying one for months as her existing one descended slowly into disrepair. Each of our family members agreed to contribute and Abigail found an option at Target. She and I snuck off in Keith and Merrie's van and found the last one of the tvs we wanted and grabbed it before anyone else could. When we got back, we enlisted the other partiers in the caper. Uncle Matt gave Meme a huge squeeze hug that distracted her while the TV was carried upstairs to the guest room. Abigail secretly got the tv set up, and then after dinner the kids started an impromptu dance party in the kitchen while Matt lead the TV install in front of the old one. Once it was ready, the dance party ended and meme was invited into the living room for the gift game. She walked into the room and... did nothing. It took about eight minutes before she realized there was a new TV there and began to laugh hysterically. After finishing the game we had dessert and games.  

So Many Boyers

Dance Party

Worn Out

Sunday 

Church was cancelled so we had a chill day. Some people went to the civil war museum and some went shopping. In the evening we had chicken divan and went to see Christmas lights. Afterwards half the crew played spicy uno and the rest watched the commanders game until the fourth quarter when we all crowded into the family room to watch them win in overtime. 

Monday

We woke up early and got ready for the big event, a trip to Sight and Sound theater to see the story of Daniel presented. It was awesome! The singing and acting was first class. The set with live animals was exquisite. What a great Christmas gift! 

Sight and Sound

After the play we all found our way to Miller's smorgasbord. The food was great and we all ate too much of it. For meme's Christmas gift we all paid our own way. After dinner, after a great weekend, we all went our separate ways. 

Miller’s Smorgasbord

It was such a blessing to have our whole family together for a few days. It had been 2 wonderful Christmas days with the Kulick family and 2.5 wonderful Christmas days with the Boyer family trading time for memories.