a fine couple of holidays

Another holiday season has passed, and I think we can chalk it up to another good one. You've seen the post from Thanksgiving 2014, so I've already convinced you that we do it right. But just in case I haven't, maybe the following pictures from Christmas and New Year's will do the trick.

Adrienne's folks and Abby joined us this year in Seattle. Lots of fun stuff coupled with some mellow time around the house - we had another stellar AJ-cooked Christmas dinner, a day wine tasting, a visit to the Experience Music Project, football Sunday taking in the Eagles game at our local dive bar, a concert at the Showbox, and a few nights out to sample Seattle's famously delicious foody restaurants. The family left a couple days before the New Year, so we wandered over to The Blonde's house late on the 31st to welcome 2015.

Saw Handel's Messiah at the Seattle Symphony - beautifully done, and a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

 A tree bursting with presents!

 AJ and folks on Christmas morning

 Ooooh, one of our favorite bottles of wine - thanks, P&G!

J&A and the Fluffy Kitty in front of the tree for Christmas 2014!

 The beginnings to one of AJ's Christmas dinner dishes - love the color

Merry Christmas!

The Blondes stopped by for a celebratory holiday drink!

A day wine tasting in Woodinville - excellent stuff!

 Dinner out at Barrio - a winner.

Catching the Eagles game in Seahawk's territory at our local dive bar, Teddys.

Headed downtown to catch The Roots at the Showbox across from Pike Place Market

The weather on Dec 31st was fantastic - a great way to end 2014. These shots were from around campus on my way to work.

We rung in the New Year with The Blondes - super fun!

I grate cheese like a mofo with the mini-grater!

Cheers to everyone and a grand welcome to 2015! This is an early taste of our Sauvignon blanc - The Blondes grew it, The Muttons made it.

a little time on the ice

For our annual holiday get together, my team at work convened on the ice - to curl. My boss is a long-time curler, so spending some time playing a winter sport seemed apropos since its the season. It was super fun -  everyone picked it up pretty fast, and we actually had a competitive game going by the end!

Learning from the masters - Molly and Max

Now time to give it a try - Jack is on the blocks while Drew and Andrea prepare to sweep

Yours truly out the gates with impeccable form

But really, it was Andrea "Charlie's Angel" Fleming that had it down pat....

christmas arrived!

This is the SIXTH Christmas Adrienne and I have spent in the Centenarian - jeez loueez time flies! This year, we will be staying put for the holiday - the east coast family is headed our way instead of us flying back to Jersey. So once again, we dudded up la casa to celebrate the season while adding an extra twist to this year's festivities - we trekked off into the forest to chop down our tree!

First things first - gotta get the lights up on the Centenarian

There - that looks about right

Intrepid explorers depart from the front wheeled sleigh to find the perfect Christmas tree

Scenes from the woods: old mining claim, cold cold icicles, and AJ looking for The One

AJ and F, posing Carhardt model-style

 Simon and H, bringing up the rear

AJ does the "I found our dope tree" dance

 Eureka!

The Blondes spot a contender too

Gotta chop this sucka down

Got it!

The Mutton Family Christmas Tree 2014

Back to the car with our loot

And S and H bringing up the rear again

Home. Now it's time to sparkle this thing up

One of our first ornaments

Our first Christmas together, we had no tree topper and very few ornaments - so the Obama topper has always been it!

Christmas in the Centenarian!