And Just Like That...

And just like that, it is all over. I have had so many wonderful things going on the past month that I thought maybe I would miss all of the excitement but, except for having one of my grand dogs here with me this week (and trips over to my daughter's house to check on the two kittens while she and her family are in Charleston for the week), things are pretty quiet and I find I am enjoying it. There are so many movies that I never had time for and a book that I have gotten into now that I have some time that I am actually savoring the "nothingness"! I will admit to looking ahead to Valentine's decor but, I love my Christmas still up for New Year's Eve so there will be no re-decorating until this weekend.

In any case, once again I failed to take many pictures. I spent Christmas Eve at daughter #3's home. We did an early church service and then home to make some cookies while mom and dad were busy whipping up a delicious dinner. We ate at a beautifully decorated table in a beautifully decorated home but, alas, I have no proof of any of that because I was just having too much fun to take out the camera.

Then on Christmas day, the whole family was able to gather back at Jen's house for appetizers, visiting and dinner.

After that wonderful day, we headed back to my house for dessert and presents. I didn't get a picture of the tree after everyone's gifts were there but I did get one along the way.

Jen always likes to throw in an extra gift for everyone after all of the others are opened. This year it was colored strobe lights that attach to your phone. It was actually a fun vibe when we all had them going. Just what every home needs. Lol

Somehow I missed a picture of the room before the piles of paper and boxes were picked up but, I did manage to wrangle all of my grand children together for a picture before any of them really put on PJs and got ready for bed. They were all very receptive to the Santa hats this year. It wasn't until I looked closely at this picture that I realized why...there are always a few! Lol And, Hannah was still modeling a robe she got as a gift but...we are all there together and this just doesn't happen often enough any more, so I will take it!

We had oh so many plans for the day after Christmas...until it got here and we were all just too lazy to even get dressed. We ended up spending a quiet day at home. We managed to squeeze in some time for a favorite-Michigan rummy-and, of course, hitting all of the leftover goodies from the previous two days.

And, of course as usually happens, it is over all too quickly and everyone has returned to their own lives and responsibilities...and my house is too quiet. I think I am headed outside with Hazel to take in some of this incredible December weather and, maybe clean a chaise lounge cushion or two while I'm at it. I'll let you know if anything exciting happens but my next time back may not be until I'm ready to share 2022's Valentine's decor. Stay safe and stay tuned...and a full, happy and healthy New Year to all!

Merry Christmas!

I am home from my trip down to daughter #1's house and what a wonderful time we had! All of my girls and grand children were there except my #3 grand daughter who had to work in St. Augustine. We got to spend some quality time together with not much more on the agenda except enjoying each other's company. 

I am sharing a few of my photos before I have to head in to get ready for church and the evening with daughter #3 and her family. Then, tomorrow, everyone will be here for the big celebration. It will definitely be a full house but I can't wait.

Downtown St. Pete is so pretty at night...all the time but especially at Christmas. The weather was just perfect and we pretty much strolled the entire water side of town. We got to see the newly renovated pier and all it has to offer and, we got to eat at one of our favorite restaurants. We finished the night with s'mores around the fire. 

We pretty much spent the next day visiting and catching up. Lots of stories, laughs and love. Daughter #1 and her girls had just returned from a week in NYC so there was lots to share.

Kris' tree is beautiful this year too. Wish I had taken more pictures around her house-which is always so beautifully decorated-but we were too busy having fun.

I'm off to get some stuff together before I head. I hope everyone has a blessed holiday full of family, friends and love. I will be back soon. Stay safe and stay tuned.

 

Merry, Merry!

Once again I am playing catch up...but it is more than OK. I had planned to attend an early mass at her school with grand daughter #5 on Friday before heading to the grocery store for one last round of cookie supplies and then spending the rest of the day baking. That was the plan. Then, I found out that the school was discouraging parents and grands from attending because there wasn't enough room. OK...change of plans...off I go to the store. This was actually an OK change because I was now just that much earlier. Shopping was like a reunion. I ran into so many people that I haven't seen for awhile so, it took a bit longer than expected but that was fine. Until I get into the car and see that I have missed a text from grandson #2. He was at school and had finished all of his exams. Dismissal wasn't until 2 so he had a long, boring day ahead and wondered if I could come check him out (his mom was out of town and dad was out in the field). And so, as soon as the groceries were put up, off I go to get him. Of course, he is STARVING so we decided to hit one of our favorites for lunch. Then, I hear that his older brother is already home so we call and invite him. He has a friend at the house so we say "bring him along". While we are waiting, my phone rings and daughter #2 is in town unexpectedly and wants to know if she can drop by. Since I'm not home, she joins us. And what was supposed to be a day spent baking has now become a day of family fun. I love it when these unexpected surprises happen!

I managed to get the cookies done yesterday as well as all of the yard work I had on my list so, today I am thinking about the week to come and getting my next set of ducks in a row.

Tomorrow morning, I head to St. Pete with daughter #2 and grand daughter #5. Daughter #3 and her two boys are also heading down. We are going to spend 3 days with daughter #1 and her two girls. It will be so much fun. We'll be missing my other two grand daughters but work calls. We love St. Pete at Christmas time (we love it at any time really but it is especially decked out for the holiday) so we will try to squeeze in as much fun as we can. Of course, that only leaves Thursday to wrap up everything else that needs to get done-including shopping for the holiday food-so we shall see how that goes. Christmas Eve will find me at daughter #3's home. We will go to church and then my son-in-law will make his now famous Christmas tenderloin roulade and Jen will fill it in with all sorts of delicious appetizers and sides. My cookies will serve as dessert.

Then, on Christmas, we will all meet up at Jen's house for appetizers and our meal before heading to my house for gifts and dessert. It will definitely be a full house but I can't think of anything I would love more...every single family member will make it as well as any extended family who finds their way to town. I'm not sure just how many will be spending the night at my house but we always seem to be able to find more than enough room.

Then, when daughter #3 and her family head to Charleston to celebrate Christmas with the in-laws, I will get to dog sit their Golden, Hazel...who I adore and, I guess this time Hazie and I will be making visits back to their house to make sure the kittens are well fed and watered.

Anyhow, all of this is leading up to the fact that if I don't get the rest of the tour posted, it probably won't happen. I'm going to post the rest of the pictures and try not to say anything unless I just can't help myself. Lol

Wow! I'm so sorry this is so long but, those of you who know me know that I use this format as kind of a family history...and to jog my memory when it needs a kick...so it is important to me to get it all journalized.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and I will be back as soon as I can to share more of this journey. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.