What It's All About

With all the cleaning, decorating, shopping, baking, card writing, programs, parties etc. people often ask what it (Christmas) is all about.  During this season of hope, love, peace, joy, and goodwill... often we get so busy and harried, we forget what this season is truly about. 


Since my first viewing of "Charlie Brown Christmas" which premiered in 1965, I have always loved the famous speech Linus gave to explain to Charlie Brown what the true meaning of Christmas is.  This is an (excerpt) from the show.

There have been so many movies, like 'A Christmas Carol,' 'It's a Wonderful Life,' and 'Miracle on 34th Street,' that reveal to us what this season and the Christmas spirit is all about.  It is a feeling of kindness, cheer, forgiveness, generosity; and about participating in Christmas traditions, such as decorating, gift-giving, and listening to Christmas music.
Even the Grinch figured out what it's all about.

I believe that the spirit of Christmas is in the 'togetherness' that occurs during the holiday season.  My family and friends did not fail to delight me, and brought a wonderful spirit of Christmas to this year's gatherings, fun, and celebrations.

Saturday 12/21 - Joe and I arrived in Nashville slightly late because I left too many last-minute things to do, in the last minute before leaving. 

We greeted Juan Carlos with open arms and toasted he and Britney with a beer.  And of course loved on Courtney as well.

  

For dinner we went to Plaza Mariachi which had three different shows that we enjoyed while eating dinner.

The first performance was the Aztec dancers, which was, for the most part, dancing to a lot of drumming.  The costumes were beautiful and the energy palpable. 

 

The men wore head-dresses that were spectacular.  We wondered how heavy they were and how they were able to keep them from falling off. 

The second group to perform were the aerial acrobatics (video).

Some acts were on the stage right in front of us, as well as on the floor nearby.

And then the dance party began.  It took awhile, but I eventually was up, joining the dancers. 

And then Britney and Juan Carlos joined in.

Afterwards, we got our picture with the dance party performers.

The third part of the night's entertainment was a band, but none of us really cared for them, so we left before 9:00.

Back at Courtney's, she gave up her bed for Joe and I, so I got an air-mattress set up for her, and then most of her cats investigated.

Sunday 12/22 - It was a slow, relaxed morning, until we hit the road at 10am and went to the Gaylord Opryland hotel to walk through the three large gardens. 

We got some exercise, many photos, and clowned around a bit. 

Juan Carlos is as big a jokester as any of us. 




But, were these two just joking around?

We had a wonderful time in the superbly decorated gardens, stopped for coffee and pastries, and chatted as we got to know each other better.

The gardens were beautiful, as is my lovely family.

After a rest at Courtney's, and a bite to eat, we (Joe and I with Britney and Juanca) headed home to Fairfield Glade.

The car was unloaded and then Joe went and picked up the dogs.






We all settled in for the evening. 










I was happy that these two dogs (and our two visitors) were able to relax and make themselves at home.

Monday 12/23 - Our day included a driving tour of Fairfield Glade, to show Juanca our community and all it had to offer. 












We got out at The Center and after taking a tour of the facilities, got a photo of them in the 'Edith Ann' chair on the way out.

We hit Food City after St.George Marina and an attempt to see an eagle in the near-by neighborhood.  Then Joe dropped us off at Druid golf course and I took a quick photo of The Legends restaurant, or what is left of the building they are in the process of tearing down. 

We looked around in the Art Guild and Library before heading down the hiking trail to home. 

This neat rock formation is just 100 yards from our house. 

Once home we had lunch and then some R&R so that these travelers could catch up on sleep.

We received some photos of Dan and his family enjoying their stay in Florida, even though it was rather cold down there. 


Nana always enjoys seeing Ava having fun and exploring. 





And of course I continue to love seeing the smiling faces of my son and daughter-in-law.



Thoughts and visions of this sweet family, warms my heart. 











I was at the ranch for about 90 minutes, doing chores.  Everybody got fed. 

Our herd of four is really enjoying the grass still available in the front pasture.

Before going home to cook a ham roast for dinner, I turned on the front lights, Christmas tree, and surprise rooster; for Jean and Brianna, who arrived after midnight, to this...




...as part of their welcome to the ranch.

Patty joined us for dinner, bringing a corn casserole.



Maggie, hoping to get some leftovers, but told to stay out of the dinning room. 



The dogs, ready for bedtime. 




We have been putting Tango's bed in our bedroom at night, and he has been sleeping six hours without getting up to go out to pee.  A relief to me.

Tuesday 12/24 - Christmas Eve.  We had a slow relaxed morning.  I tried to do some work on this blog, but had too many distractions; and was getting farther behind. 


The dogs were unbothered, and not at all revved up about Christmas coming.

After an early lunch, we made our way to the ranch where Jean and Brianna had spent the night.  Patty and Courtney had arrived to join us.  Cookie decorating was our first order of business.  They may not be the most beautiful, but they were festive and tasty. 












At one point when I was trying to get lotion to put on my dry, cracked fingers, Jean was helping me with the lotion bottle.

I couldn't get it to work.  Well, it was clogged, and when Jean pushed hard on the bottle, the clog, followed by lotion, shot out and hit me, right in the chest.  So, here is Jean, trying to revive me (actually clean off the lotion) after I'd been shot and dramatically fell to the floor. 

We quit cookie decorating early, to have time to go for a ride.  Britney and Juan Carlos finished them up while we were gone.

Jean wrangled Rico,


and Brianna fetched Dorado, while Patty helped Courtney and I get Amiga and Zorr0.

 











Saddle up your horses, we've got a trail to ride.

Many photos and this (video) were taken by various equestrians as we headed out and down the road and trails. 









Giddy up let's go. 










"I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road." 





"I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more." 

The horses did very well, although the two older Pasos did get a bit revved up a few times, at the intersections. 

We took turns leading and following. 




I was showing the girls the damage done by the 'lumber jacks.'

And they liked my trail through the woods behind our barn and pastures. 

Look at this pretty lady
on this handsome horse.
 

We came home and got cleaned up for Church, going to the 4:00 Christmas Eve service at the United Methodist Church. 

Jean, Joe, Patty and Courtney were at the house when we got back, and soon dinner was ready. 


Mama Styx and Maggie getting some lovin' from Jean.


Not a traditional Christmas dinner...



...but tasty none-the-less. 

A Courtney selfie.

And a Joe selfie. 







After dinner, 'Santa' paid a visit, handing out money envelopes. 

We lounged by the fire, chatting, telling stories of past times, and reminiscing. 






The fur babies enjoyed having the extra humans, which meant extra lovin'.

And then at some point, we started reading poetry.

Brianna read her childhood re-make of 'Night Before Christmas' and Joe read 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.' 

Jean did a great job reading 'Cremation of Sam McGee,' one of our favorites that Grandpa had read to us.   It's not a very Christmasy tale, but in the story, Sam McGee was from Tennessee and died on Christmas night. 

Patty, Jean and Brianna headed out and Courtney stayed for the night.  I almost forgot to fill stockings before bed.

Wednesday 12/25 - Merry Christmas!

I don't know when, in my life, I realized that the best Christmas gifts are not presents under the tree, but times together, gatherings, and experiences with family and friends. 
We kept gift giving very minimal and simple this year. 

These photos of Mama Styx under the tree were taken last night, before the stockings went under it. 





Once everyone was up, the five of us 'opened' Christmas stockings and then a gift or two each. 

Jean sent this photo Christmas morning, from the ranch house window. 

Rico and Dorado seemed to be enjoying the sunshine and nice day. 

 

We all congregated at the ranch well in advance of our 2:00 Christmas dinner that Jean was cooking.  We visited horses, and Britney and Juan Carlos helped Joe with collecting and removing leaves from the chicken yard. 






When Joe had started in the chicken yard with the leaf blower, he had scared the girls so bad, four of them escaped the yard. 





We got three of the girls back where they belonged, but some how Gloria ended up getting into the side pasture and over to the paddock.









It took four of us much time and persistence to catch this sly, crafty, nimble bird.

These three photos were taken from this (video) that Courtney filmed and edited. 

We all, including the chicken, got a good workout. 

The turkey roasting in the oven smelled fantastic.  Jean did a great job cooking it and also getting the two cans of beans opened with a very broken can opener. 

Karen joined us for dinner and took this photo of our family (from left to right - Patty, Juan Carlos, Britney, Joe, me, Courtney, Jean, and Brianna). 

We all enjoyed a wonderful meal and had a good time in the process with some joking around as well.  


Patty and Jean surprised me with a birthday cake.




I think three different people took these photos, that are from different areas of the room.  






Make a wish and blow out the candles. 


There were several deserts besides cake and I was too full to eat much of any of them.  But what I had was delicious.



The bonfire was lit and we soon migrated outside. 






It was on the chilly side, especially for Britney and Juanca, because they were acclimated to the warmer Costa Rican temperature.

But Joe kept the fire going with a hot blaze and that helped warm us. 







We watched the sun set, sang campfire songs and told stories. 

It seemed late when we had left the ranch, but we were home by 6:00.  Animals were cared for, leftovers and sweets stowed away, and I started packing for KY.  

Thursday 12/26 - Once Joe was up, I finished my packing, with curious felines making it challenging. 

Jean shared this nice sunrise photo from the ranch, but reported she and Bri were taking it slow this morning. 








Joe dropped Tango and Maggie off at Patty's and then came back for us three and our luggage.  And we were on the road by 10am.

Juan Carlos was interested in trying out a Waffle House since Joe had been 'talking them up' while I was giving them a big thumbs down. 

So we stopped in Bowling Green, Kentucky and gave one a try.  They were not at all busy, we got great service, and the food was actually okay, other than a tad greasy. 










The waitress had time to take our photo as we were leaving and then these two characters did another 'proposal' reenactment in front of the restaurant.

We arrived at the Embassy Suites in east Louisville, just as everybody else was.  Juan Carlos joined Carol who was eating her very late lunch. 









The lobby was beautifully decorated and quite festive. 


As everybody got checked in and settled into their suite, I collected room numbers and made this little reference note. 

And soon, happy hour began.  Each person in each room got two free drink tickets.  Non-alcoholic beverages didn't count.  So those drinking pop or virgin drinks, gave others their tickets.  Many of us consumed three drinks during the 90 minute 'party' time.  Free snacks were also available from the hotel and Carol shared a tasty cheese/bean dip.  Patti and a few others (including myself) also brought down cookies to share.  







We all met and got to know 'significant others' (Kent with Courtney, Juan Carlos with Britney, Bert with Nicole, and Kaya with Joseph).  In this photo, Courtney is introducing Kent and going through the rundown of names of all of us. 

There was a collective total of 28 of us.  We all were happy, whether consuming libations or not. 

And here are several photos from a ton that many different people took (and shared) during the evening.

← Jean

Nicole and Michael →

 

← Ben      Ralph at the end of the table.  ↓

Eating, drinking, and being merry. 

 

Much talk and laughter and even some knitting. 

Ava knew how to work the crowd, especially when it came to getting cookies. 























Who can resist this sweet little girl?

Or these two silly girls?

A little joking around is good for all of us.



After happy hour, the games soon got started. 




First decision, what game was going to be played. 




Second question, who was going to play?











I started on this game, with Carol as my helper.  But we 'faded fast,' so Travis (seen in red) took my place.  And they played way past my bed time.

Friday 12/27 - Jean and I were two of the early birds, without Carol because she was out walking her dogs.  

Slowly, more and more people made their way down stairs to the lobby. 



Each morning there was a full breakfast buffet that most of us took considerable advantage of.  Only the late night gamers slid in at the last minute with no time for seconds and less food to choose from. 



Ava chose to eat at different tables with a variety of individuals. 







And joking around continued from the get-go.

David's three kids had to 'work' remotely, as did Travis.  Some people took a nap, while others just hung out.

I chose to workout at the gym (selfie of me stretching) while several others went for a swim. 

Ava sure enjoys the water.




Jean (seen in the above photo) was missing from this posed photo of Dan, Ava, Ben and Bri. 






Patrick and Tamika arrived around noon with Jayla and Alisha. 






We all goo gooed over Alisha, this darling two month old baby. 






Ava was very interested in Alisha, wondering if she was her sister.  Val is due to have Ava's little sister in June. 

So precious!

 

We all were delighted to be able to hold her. 










Jayla, who is autistic, struggled with interacting with our large, boisterous crowd, but Patrick and Tamika did a great job reassuring her and calming her when she got anxious. 

She too is precious, and it is unfortunate that the majority of people, myself included, do not understand autism. 
Knowing the unique needs of individuals with autism helps for interacting with them and understanding the struggle their parents face. 







We all started congregating in the lobby again, preparing to go to lunch.

Britney was keeping an eye on Ava, who was definitely on the go.  

As we figured out who was riding with who, we piled into cars and headed to Bristol Bar and Grill. 









We took a Villhauer Family photo.
Seen below are: Kent, Ava, Courtney, Britney, Juan Carlos, Joe, Holly, Daniel, and Valencia.

And in the photo below, is 26 of the 28 of us in attendance. 
Alisha was asleep in her car seat, and Bert (Robert) wasn't here yet.
Row 1 - Brianna, Tamika, Joe, Courtney, Valencia, Kent, Joseph, Ben, Michael, and Dave.
Row 2 - Juan Carlos, Britney, Carol, Kaya, Nicole, Patti, Travis, and Chris.
Row 3 - Holly, Patrick, Jayla, Jean, Ava, Ralph, Cathy, and Dan

The food was great and the wait staff did an excellent job of serving all of us. 

Returning to our cars after the meal. 











Once again we started congregating in the lobby and soon 'pass the baby' and happy hour began. 





Cookies for desert were available along with more snacks, but most of us were not very hungry. 







Alisha was too cute to resist.
















Ava is going to be such a great big sister come June when her little sister is due.

While Alisha was loved on by many...




...these two 'love birds' were inseparable, from sun-up to sundown.



Not sure what conversation Britney is in the middle of. 





And this photo may have been taken before sun-up,
rather than after sundown. 


All the white elephant gifts were placed on the table.  The one you see behind Patti was extra cute with the drawing on it. 




Cards were picked to see what number you went, and the game began. 





The game went fairly quickly considering there were 21 gifts.  To keep it moving, any one gift could only be stolen twice and there was a time limit for choosing a gift to unwrap or one to steal.  This helped extradite slow decision making.  And Joe kept it moving, calling out the next number once a person's turn was finished.

Joe had to quiet the crowd a few times, in order for them to hear the next number he called. 


Most of us were quite happy with the gift we ended up with.




Here are more random photos of the evening, some out of order. 


Juan Carlos did very well understanding many things we were saying, and his English speaking was better than any of our Spanish.  But Britney still had to do a lot of translating for him.  She did a great job even when we were talking too fast, or two of us were talking at once.  She would just slow us down.  I'm sure all the translating she did was quite tiring for her. 


Bert, Nicole and Dave conversing. 

Courtney knit this hat for Alisha.  This just intensifies the cuteness. 

Ben pointing out something to Patrick in this big  photo journal Ben made.

The photo journal covered his over 5,000 mile walk for Suicide Awareness, from Boston MA to Mendocino CA, that Ben made.  He did a great job emulating the highs and lows of his journey.  We all really enjoyed reading about his adventure.

Joe and I, Britney and Juan Carlos, and Daniel and Ava all walked to McDonald's.  At one spot, going through a dark tunnel, Ava slip and fell when stepping on slippery mud while not holding Papaw's hand.

When we arrived back at the hotel, the games were going strong.

Joe got a poker game going, and in the end, he and Joseph were duke-ing it out to determine the winner. 










I believe Joseph won, and a squeeky pig was his prize.

  

Saturday (CATurday) 12/28 - It was another morning of folks making their way down to breakfast and joining the group to eat their grub. 

We had decided it would be CATurday and we would all wear our cat paraphernalia. 


























Here is a better look at some of the socks.

And even little miss Ava had on a leopard shirt, as a cute kitty. 


One group of our crowd went to the casino while those of us who stayed at the hotel continued hanging out in the lobby, swam, or hit the gym again.  And some returned to their rooms to watch TV or nap.  

I am not sure what amount of money or how Kaya won this, but she looks happy about it. 











Today's late lunch was at the Brick House Tavern and Tap.  They too were able to fit us all in, although we were short Patrick's family and Kent, who had returned home.  

Again we had great service and the food was delicious.  And in my case, I ate too much. 

Another happy hour was enjoyed, and somehow people found room for snacks.  Football was watched while games were played.

   












Jean and I joined Carol for her dog walk as we tried to 'work off' some of the effects of our gluttony.

The late nights and early mornings had taken their toll on me so I went up to our room early to do a little packing and hit the hay.

Sunday 12/29 - Somehow I omitted this photo from Christmas day at the ranch house.  It's a good one to end this blog post on.  It is kind of hard to realize that Britney is getting married.  Never in my wildest dreams did I see this coming.  And it is difficult to share her or let her go, but in reality, that happened years ago when she moved to Central America.  I tell myself, we are not losing a daughter, because we can't ever give her away, but instead we're gaining an awesome son-in-law.  When Britney told us she fell in love with Juan Carlos, we knew we would love him too. 

It was a busy morning after breakfast, packing and loading up.  We all kind of lingered in the lobby, not really wanting our time together to end.  Goodbyes are always hard for me.  But, we'd had a lot of fun in Louisville, especially meeting all the new additions to our family.  See you all again next year.