Morlandt/Hutson/Powell Christmases

Morlandt Electric

On one of our many passes through San Antonio we decided to stop and say hello to the good people at Morlandt Electric Company.  Morlandt Electric is Tony's family's business, founded in 1954 by Tony's grandparents, Constantine Mileano and Margaret Morlandt.  The company started with residential wiring in the San Antonio area, eventually moving into industrial work while specializing in high voltage.  Currently the company stays busy with work on numerous military bases in San Antonio along with other industrial contracts.  Tony's brother Michael recently earned his journeyman's license and is currently devoting much time and effort to learning the ins and outs of the business.  Tony's sister Kaela works in the office when not attending school. 

Tony began working at Morlandt Electric in 7th grade.  In the beginning work consisted of sorting tools in the shop, sweeping out the warehouse, pole inventory in the hot South Texas heat, and driving the fork lift.  When Tony was a sophomore in high school his dad bought him his first tool belt complete with all the essential electrical tools.  From this point on and all the way through our Baylor years, Tony worked summers out in the field. 

There were several Morlandt Electric employees in the office on the day we visited who knew Tony when he was Vincent's age.  Some of Tony's earliest memories consists of going into town with his mom and brother to pick up their dad from "the shop" for dinner.  Employees would take Tony and his brother across the street to play in the neighboring Catholic school's playground while his dad and mom finished up work in the office.  Needless to say "the shop" holds many memories for Tony and we were excited to share this special place with Sophia and Vincent.
Here are a few pictures of the kids on Uncle Michael's bucket truck.  Note the blue color of the trucks - all company trucks are painted "Morlandt Electric blue" - distinguishing them from other electric companies in San Antonio. 

Mission Espada

To kill some time and give the kids a nap in the car we explored the area surrounding Morlandt Electric.  Once the kids were awake we stopped at Mission Espada for pictures.  In addition to being a National Historic Park, this mission served as Tony's parents' wedding venue. 

{Happiest when exploring....}

Morlandt Christmas

We kicked off Christmas with Tony's dad with dinner at Paesanos on the Riverwalk.  The lights were spectacular but entertaining the children while we waited for our food took precedence over picture taking.  Later that night we returned to Floresville to open presents.

{Vincent's new Harley, another Morlandt boy on a motorcycle!}

We woke up the next morning to cooler temperatures but this did not discourage us from walking the land.

{Sophia took great delight in the number of canines at Grandpa's house.  They were fantastic companions on a long walk} 

 {The men}

{We were completely unprepared for the cooler temperatures.  For the last 3 years we packed heavy coats for our Christmases in Texas and every year they stayed in our suitcase as the average temperature was never more than sweater worthy.  On the day this picture was taken it was in the low 40's, high 30's and we were scrambling to borrow hats, gloves, and jackets.  Leslie was kind enough to lend me her ski hat and motorcycle jacket.  Sophia wore another ski hat/hunting hat and both kids sported socks for gloves.  Too funny...}

{A highlight this year was getting to know Leslie's daughter Audra and her fiance Sean - Audra is walking between Sophia and Leslie} 

 {Notice the sock gloves :)!}

 {The neighbor's donkey stays well fed....}

 {Vincent and Grandpa}

{Along with motorcycles, engines, spare parts, and trucks, Grandpa's metal buildings house mementos from Tony's childhood.  This is Tony's boyhood bike.}

 {Also in the metal building is a large digger truck.  Driving the truck was this little boy's dream come true.  Vincent took his job very seriously.}

 {Sophia's favorite dog, Houdini}

Hutson Christmas

From Floresville we packed up our bags and headed to Hondo for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the Hutson clan.  Upon arriving, Mimi put the kiddos to work with gingerbread baking.  Making a gingerbread house is among several traditions on Tony's side including stringing popcorn and cranberries for the tree and the international cookie tray (more on that later...).  The kiddos had a ball getting their hands, faces, clothes, feet, and every imaginable body part COVERED in flour...

{Mimi and PawPaw bought the kids an awesome nativity set.  Sophia took the job of setting it up very seriously.}

{My job each year is to set the table, something I love to do.  Here is this year's Christmas Eve table.}

{The kitchen was full of many talented cooks - including these lovely ladies - Mimi, Ms. Emily, and Aunt Kaela.  I decided to take a few pictures before dinner was served......}

{Aunt Kaela and Mr. Brandon}

{His cheeks are perfect for kissing...}

{Aunt Dinah and Uncle Luke - Paw Paw's kiddos}

{Taking a serious picture of Uncle Michael can be a little tricky....}

{These two make me smile and I love Emily's laughing in this picture.}

{Gotcha!}

{Mimi is not loving the picture taking but she puts up with me :)}

{Manly men doing manly meat carving}

{Dinner is served!}

{Burning off energy and calories before the Christmas Eve service}

{Uncle Michael knows how to handle our little rascals.}

{After the Christmas Eve service the kids enjoyed gourmet cupcakes, courtesy of Uncle Michael and Ms. Emily}

{Decorating the gingerbread house was a group effort.}

{The children chose Santa's cookies from Mimi's international cookie tray.  Every year Mimi creates a cookie tray of cookies from all around the world.  This year I ate my weight in American Thin Mints while Tony scarfed the English shortbread.}

{The kiddos dictated their letter to Santa to Aunt Kaela.  It read, "Dear Santa, Don't forget us next year.  We love you."}

Christmas Day

 {Vincent LOVED the tool bench Santa brought him.  He especially loved the drill!}

 {Santa got it right with Baby Ariel.}

{Future surgeon?}

{And this is what we did most of Christmas Day - RELAXED.  The kiddos watched "Sleeping Beauty" with Aunt Dinah.} 

 {Later that night we went into San Antonio to share Christmas with Opa and Oma and the Powell clan.  Sophia adored their fantasy tree and lights.}

{Image via here.  Later that night we loaded up the car once again and headed out to the Annual Christmas Day dance at the Quihi Gun Club.  The Gun Club is an authentic Texas dance hall, complete with wood floors perfect for stomping and sliding your way through the two step and Cotton Eye Joe.  Kiddos can be left to sleep under the tables while their parents dance the night away.  If you are hungry for a little Texas or want a truly authentic Texas experience, slide on your Luccheses, grab  a partner, and two step your way around a South Texas dance hall floor.  Tony and I put our two step lessons to good use and danced to several George Straight songs.  The kiddos joined us for a few family dances before we headed out early.  Call me a fuddy duddy but I'm not too sure about kiddos sleeping under tables....}

And there you have it - half of our week in Texas.  More to come from the Hughes/Ray side....