Christmas in Sampson County

The McCallister tradition has been for the past 6 years to spend Christmas eve and day at my brothers in Sampson County. Due to Christmas being during the week it made it harder to spend quality time together when we were spent for time. So this year we did something different we gave the girls an option of seeing them the weekend before Christmas or the weekend after, hoping that all of them would be home and not having to work. The girls weren't too happy at first that we wouldn't be their for Christmas but I think in the end it was a Christmas memory that they won't forget!

They chose the weekend before and we couldn't wait to spend time with each of the girls. We got on the road as soon as Ray got out of work hoping this would give us more time to spend with each one individually. On our way Delaney (the youngest) would call us to ensure what our ETA was, and was very excited to see us both.

Saturday was a full day spent with my girls. It has been a long time that I've got to spend quality time with all of them together. Well it didn't happen till the evening due to Brittney working the lunch shift and Ashley working the night shift. But I got to spend quality time with each of them one on one which was very special to me.

The girls got to open their their present from Ray and I

My morning was spent exercising with Courtney and Delaney. Courtney and I were running and Delaney was riding her bike beside us. Delaney really enjoyed riding her bike around town, since she normally rides her bike in the driveway or around the yard. After our run, and yes Courtney did beat me, my short legs can't keep up with her long legs. During our cool down and before going back out again we asked Ashley if she'd like to go for a bike ride with Delany and myself, and she agreed. We rode maybe a mile but raced all the way down to the end of the road. By the time we got there all our legs were sore and were in need of a rest. On our way back home Delaney asked if she could take a nap.

Delaney was tired but didn't get her nap till later in the evening prior to going midnight bowling. Before bowling we went out to lunch at a Chinese place in Clinton. It was quite the discussion on where to eat but we settled for this place called Ichabon. Like I said it was Chinese but didn't compare to our place here in Columbia. When we arrived back home and before Ashley had to go to work we sat outside and played the bean game.

Later that evening Delaney and I took naps before heading to the local bowling alley in Dunn. We arrived about 10:30-11:00 and Delaney was so happy she wasn't tired and that she was wide awake. I was glad too that she wasn't winey or tired too! It made bowling that much more enjoyable. Now the girls don't go bowling that often but they sure enjoyed it, other than Brittney, it wasn't her favorite thing to do but I was glad she came too! We had two teams. One was Ray Ashley and her boyfriend, the other was myself, Brittney, Courtney and Delaney. Delaney was the only one that could have bumpers and she did pretty good with bowling her high score of 81! I'm pretty sure Ray's team won both times but hopefully we will beat them next time.

Brittney

Ashley

Courtney

Delaney

Sunday was a beautiful day too! When I say beautiful, I mean gorgeous weather! A high of 80 degrees, the sun shining, birds chirping didn't make it feel like the first day of winter at all. We all took advantage of the nice weather and played volleyball at the neighbors net in the back yard. We didn't expect it to be this warm so we didn't pack shorts but were wishing we had.

Lunch was prepared by my brother, his famous BBQ ribs and Delaney helped me prepare the sides. We made marconi and cheese, baked beans and peas. And of course we had Christmas goodies for dessert.

Thank you to the girls for spending time with your Aunt Bubba, and not thinking shes too old to spend time with you your embarrass you. I love you all so much! Thank you to my brother for the best BBQ rib lunch, its my favorite! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and hope to see you all soon!

Lots of Love From,
Ray and Bubba