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.