Good Friends and Good Food

Things are always busy around the Cornell's home in Virginia during the Christmas holidays.  The annual tradition is to have all the family members from Virginia, Maryland, Florida, California, Nevada, and around the world assemble for a Christmas Dinner.  Curt Jr. and Maria host this dinner every other year at their home in South Riding, VA.  This year the preparations began well before Christmas.  Then on Christmas afternoon all the relatives began arriving for the good food and good times.  Later that evening we did the always popular Secret Santa Gift Exchange.  You never know what you might end up with and if you will be able to trade it for something special like a Chia Pet!!!

(Cindy Cornell, Marisa Cornell and Ameila Lancellotti preparing the Christmas Dinner)

(Cooking the chicken as more family arrives)

(Chris Bassler and Curt  Cornell, Jr. preparing the Tortellini and Prime Rib Beef)

On the day after Christmas, we went to Dale City, Virginia to visit our friends, Bob and Carol Tyson who we have known for 40 years.  We got to see their daughters Bobbie and Susan while we were there.  It was good to see them and get caught up on all that's been happening in the Tyson Family.

(Carol, Bob, Cindy, and Curt--friends for 40 years)

For the next few days we are "cooling our heals" after all the shopping and activities.

Arrival In Virginia

On December 18th we made the flight from Las Vegas to Chicago to Washington Reagan National Airport.  Curt Jr. and Marisa met us at Baggage Claim and then we made the drive across town to South Riding, Virginia.  It was good to be off of the plane and back in a warm home!

Over the past few days, Lance and Marisa have been completing their last few days of school for this year.  Maria and Curt Jr. have been working hard at their jobs and the grandparents have been spending time with the grand kids after school.  Yesterday we did a little final Christmas shopping for the upcoming Annual Christmas Dinner at The Cornell's scheduled for Christmas evening.  The weather here has been pretty good--little cold, but still good.  However, today (December 21st) there has been light rain all day with more expected for tomorrow.

Marisa invited us to join her for lunch at Little River Elementary School.  We got there at about 11:00am and her class made it down the main hallway heading for the cafeteria at 11:15am.  The cafeteria was full of school kids, all of which were very well mannered.  Here is a photo of all enjoying lunch.

(Curt, Marisa, Cindy)

The highlight of the day was Santa's arrival in the school cafeteria!  This jolly ole man greeted all the children and they gave his a very loud welcome.