Christmas Day

I hope I can remember this - it's been over a week ago already! I think I've killed some brain cells since then.

First I must tell you, my daughter back-handed me in our motel room Christmas Eve...It was my own fault! I was being cute. We were all very tired, though I'd only had one drink all night. She was sleeping with us at the Riverwalk Inn that night so Colby could stay at home after partying.

Amy popped into the bathroom and slipped into her jammies and brushed her teeth. Then she slipped into bed. Paul, who had imbibed more than one drink, changed next and tried to slip into bed. I asked, "Did you brush your teeth?" Sheepishly, he went back to take care of that chore. Then I popped my daily migraine meds into my mouth and took a sip of water walking  towards Amy, now tucked into her bed. Feeling smart and funny, I put my face too close to hers and started to ask, "Did you wash your face?" Like I was the night night police. Unfortunately Amy's not used to people invading her space when she's trying to sleep! She backhanded as a reflex (I think...) and I choked, nearly aspirating my meds while I laughed.

The children (they'll always be my babie) search for a tiny pickle ornament

Colby went all out and got Liv some Cheerios for Christmas (and nice earrings)

The next day, we arrived at Cindy's ready to open gifts. The kids had to find the pickle to see who got to open the first present. Liv, Colby's girlfriend won the prize. Cindy tried to cook breakfast goodies and be the present fairy, but eventually Amy took over. Once again, people were much too generous! I hope all were pleased with the gifts we got them (or they had proper gift receipts if not...). Amy, Jud, Kara and Paul left to ski Beaver Creek mid morning. So fortunate Aunt Cindo provides free lift coupons! She shouldn't even bother with gifts for them after that...$100+ worth. Colby planned to ski so he and Liv left soon too. That left Cindy and me to clean up a bit and we had a jigsaw puzzle to do. It was a nice chance for me to talk with my sis - to see how she is doing. Dang, it's F'n hard to lose your spouse.

 

That afternoon, after Paul and the kids got back, we went back to the Riverwalk for a bit, then it was time to go back to Cindy's. Odie was staying there in her kennel while we went to Pottorff's for supper. She feels safe there.

We took some leftover chicken wings and Cindy's halftime dip over to Bonnie and Eric's. They had deviled eggs - reminding me of my gran, Momo. She used to make them for Christmas too. Frank the wine rep was there and there was delightful chardonnay. Bonnie and Eric's son Byron wasn't there. He'd gone back to California to work at his internship with the LA Clippers as a trainer early that morning. The Sanders fam arrived and the kids all mingled - fun to see. Reeve is a frosh football player at a college in SW Colorado. Kelsey played soccer at NWMSU (Yes Maryville, MO) graduating when Jud did from ISU. Cute kids. Kelsey is now at Physical Therapy School - at Eastern Michigan I think.

Sanders Family. Mad I didn't get one of the Pottorffs!

The prime rib was fab as usual. We gotten to know Shaloy and Jim, Bonnie and Eric so well. I still don't know Frank the wine guy that well, but his wares are yummy! I love how they love my sis and Colby. And they loved Bolder. Kara isn't a big meat eater which was fine because Jim and Kelsey are vegetarians, so there are plenty of potatoes, bread and salad. Bonnie even made dessert.

At the end of the evening I was sad to say goodbye to everyone - including Cindy and Colby, because we were leaving early the next day. Good thing we're seeing them in April in Florida! Paul and Colby have plans to go fishing a couple times. Cindy and I will read and hang out by the pool.

It was a good Christmas. We missed Bolder. There is an empty spot where the big lug should be! Colby and Cindy are doing as well as can be expected. It sucks. They're survivors. We sure love 'em! And we were honored to be invited (or to invite ourselves) to be with them again this year.

My gift from Jud and Kara - so cute!

Mele Kalikimaka without Boldie

I admit I've been fretting about how Christmas Eve might go without Bolder around to be a part of the annual Lefebvre Christmas Eve extravaganza. The guy was larger than life, after all. So I can imagine what my sis Cindy must have felt like before the party. Colby and Cindy's best friends Bonnie and Eric's son Byron were in charge of leading Christmas carols, after years of being mere backup singers.

Cindo was in full party prep when we arrived Sunday. We tried to help where we could - but she and Colby pretty much had it under control. That afternoon, we drove into Vail so Cindy could pick up her Golden Bear jewelry, which was at the store getting polished. Golden Bear is one of Vail's signature stores. Bolder used to buy her pieces for gifts.


Cindy and me with Albert Einstein (at right) at the Golden Bear store in Vail

We thought the best thing we could do was to get out the way Monday,  when Cindo was in full party-prep mode. We did a bit of shopping in Edwards with Jud and Kara, after lunch at Fiesta. Amy came to lunch too after she spent the a.m. in Glenwood Springs at the vapor caves.

Jud, Kara, Paul and I hung out at the Riverwalk Hotel's lobby that afternoon. Jud and Kara played board games as it snowed delightfully. The four of us attended a 5 PM Lutheran Church service held at the Interfaith Chapel where Bolder's memorial service was held. Only about 20 people were there - not sure if the small crowd was due to the snow or the fact that people were traveling. That made it rather intimate though - everyone introduced themselves and we said where we were from. The pastor was from Des Moines! He started naming Lutheran Churches in Iowa, until I mentioned we were Catholic...that put a smile on his face. My favorite part was the candle lit singing of Silent Night at the end. I admit it choked me up at times - very moving. Then it was on to the party!

Cindy was putting the final touches on things. The place looked great! Dips, wings, meatballs, cookies, wine, beer, pop, water - it was all there. The tree was perfect! Paul and I were set to cook the wiener winks. We took a few quick family photos, before people began arriving.

Colby was wearing "The Sweater". It's his legacy from his father. I don't even know the story behind this work of art. But he definitely looked the part. 

Colby doesn't tuck the sweater in like his father does...

Prior to arriving, Colby and Amy had been at E-town and Woody's, Bolder's fave hangouts, for refreshments to prepare for the evening. Byron arrived a bit later - looking classy - hair freshly cut, and with new glasses. I think they went to the garage for some liquid courage prior to their first set. People continued to arrive, and the noise level began to arrive. Paul and I chatted with the friends we've made through the years.

Then it was time. Colby, Byron, the Sanders kids - Kelsey and Reeve, Sarah Melzer and a few others got into position and it was time. We sing, and if we don't know the words, we sing "hanna hanna hanna". It's fun. This year, Bart Garton wrote a song to one of the Christmas tunes with works about Bolder. Was it Winter Wonderland? It was very clever, mentioning how he liked to bowl, and how he buttoned his shirts to the top. It made us all sing and smile. Cindy's friend Clarey kept hugging her the whole night! Actually Cindy got hugged a lot by a lot of people. Kara got mistaken by someone else's girlfriend. Holly broke a wine glass and just kept eating her wiener.

We sang the very last set about 9 p.m. That's when the kids come out in the Hawaiian skirts and we do Mele Kalikimaka, complete with motions. It was so fun, we did it twice. I was feeling the joy. This holiday season, every time I heard that song - in Younkers or where ever, I though of Bolder watching over me. It made me happy. About 10ish it was time to go. Of course Cindy was up until all hours cleaning up. I hope she was pleased with the party - as pleased as one who has lost a spouse could be. And all the parents can be pleased that Bolder's legacy has been passed on through their children. A Merry Christmas Bolder Style!