This Christmas...

Christmas 2015

A quiet Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Church

Watching the Tiny Town Littles open Christmas morning gifts

Brunch at Little Big Brother's

Christmas with our family in the late afternoon

Gifts for the littles

Grab bag for the bigs

Stockings for all

Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookie Decorating Contest

Game of headbandz with the kids

Cute PJ's

Selfie sticks

Rum Slush and Champagne Poinsettias

Bad weather reports

Lots of coloring--scented markers

Family Photos 

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10+ bags of trash

A fridge full of leftovers

Carpets that need cleaned

Scales that seem to be faulty

(OK. A definite need for walks/runs)

One really tired pup.

Who am I kidding?

Two adults who can't keep their eyes open

A quiet house

Waiting for the first snow

Memories of Christmas 2013

Some things I'll remember:

*The pre-Christmas visit with CraZy Cousins in Big City.  I haven't seen a few of them in several years.  Dear Auntie C and Uncle W were there, too.  And they had the chance to meet Baby E and his daddy CB.  So many laughs when that fun family gets together.

Dear Auntie C and Cousin Ess with Baby E

Crazy Cousin Ree, CB & Baby E

*Baby E's new red wagon.  It will be used for toy storage right now and rolled from room to room as needed.

*The Bug's tub of dress up clothes from Nana and Papa:  a leotard and tutu, Princess dress, wings, chef hat, crown, Great Grandma E's purse, ruby red slippers, a fur coat and several other outfits to share when friends come to play.

*The two Big City Girls (step grands) visiting a farm for the first time.
          *"Do they sleep on hay?"
          *Going sledding on a tube behind the 4 wheeler.  (Their first sledding experience had been with the Mr. on Christmas Day.)
          *Throwing rocks in the creek
          *Seeing cows for the first time
          *Oh, and being told there was no Santa Claus.  (I'm not sure what that was all about. Grounding them in reality?)

*Gingerbread house building and frosting sugar cookies.  (I sent most of the cookies home with the two Big City grands--to share with their mom.)

*Giving L, CB, and Baby E new cushions for Grandma E's old glider chair.  (They were supposed to have them before Baby E's arrival.  We were S-L-O-W.)

*Razor push scooters for the Big City Grands, which they were able to try out on a part of the street that had melted after our big snow.  The ten year old was catching on really quickly.  The seven year old was getting there.

*Early mornings (4:30) with L and Baby E.  Lots of time to snuggle that baby and chat with his mama.

*A lot of "Wizard of Oz" time with the obsessed little Buggy.

The Bug dressing up as Glinda the Good Witch.

(Though, from her conversations with her little Oz figures, 

she really likes the Wicked Witch.  Uh oh!)

Yes, we enjoyed our White Christmas: several excited little kids, a baby to snuggle, and time to play and laugh.

L, CB, and Baby E are back in Big City; they had to get the girls back to their mom.  K, CT, and the Bug are out of town, visiting his family.  

I spent today in a quiet house.  I picked up a few things, but mainly I read, slept, and watched some old episodes of Downton Abbey. And that was my gift to myself--no plans and nothing that had to be done. My hope is for a few more days like this in the week ahead.

And a Merry Christmas it was!

Glory To God In the Highest

And on earth peace-

goodwill toward men.

Christmas Eve

Wise Men

Still Seek Him

Incredibly Random Tuesday

Random Thoughts-

*Pinterest has become my new obsession.  What a great website!  So many creative ideas that I won't accomplish half, but it is fun to look. 

*Only one Christmas gift left to purchase.  The Lady Bug is the final person on my list.  What am I buying?  Something she'll keep and enjoy for years. (A rocking chair, wooden sled, or a little red wagon?)  Something that won't take up much room in a small house. (A tea set?)  Something to organize the haul she is going to get.  (A toy box that could convert to a small bench?)  NO IDEA.  Time will tell...

*I'm reading scripts trying to find a play to direct 2nd semester.  Wish me luck.

*The Mr. is sick. Pneumonia or the yearly miserable chest cold? 

*Love my new iPhone.  My favorite ap is Flipboard, followed closely by Words With Friends.  Yes. Alec Baldwin and I actually have something in common.  Scary.

*I need to finish my final.  One student is leaving on Friday and won't be back 2nd semester.  He needs to take his final before he goes. *sigh*

*This is one of my quirks, but if I'm up-- the Christmas tree better be aglow.  An unlit tree is depressing to me.

*Finally, one of the perks of the new phone is the camera.  I love it for taking pictures or short videos.  Too much fun.  I'll leave you with this one of Auntie L and "her" little Bug cheerleading.  I'm not sure who enjoyed it more.

Yes, I think these two put the Merry in Christmas!

The Bug Meets Santa

Looked like old friends to me!

Sweet December

The kid in me still loves this month:

Candles in the window
Christmas trees
Pretty packages
A baby in the manger
Outdoor lights
Wise men and stars
Eggnog
Candy canes
Snow
Special ornaments
Angels and shepherds
Advent candles
Poinsettias
Christmas music
Pageants at church with wise men in bathrobes and baby angels
Carolling
Hot chocolate
Santas and elves
Salvation Army bell ringers

Who am I kidding?  The adult in me loves this month, too.

Early Christmas On Easy Street: iPhone

The Mr. and I decided that our Christmas present would be to buy new phones and switch phone plans.  We did that on Saturday while L was here, as we were adding ourselves to her phone plan.  She was quite glad to have us, as it will save her a bit of money.

So, the Mr. picked out the Droid, and I ended up going with the iPhone.  We spent the weekend figuring out all the features and adding a few applications.

I don't know about his Droid, but here is what I love about my iPhone:

*The Camera.  This phone takes amazing pictures.  I love being able to take videos with it, too.  And again, the quality is wonderful!

*Voice messaging.  Voice everything.  Texting by voice is so much easier.  Creating a To-do list is a breeze.  Love, love, love this feature!

*A larger view when I rotate the phone. (My eyes needed this one!)

*Music from my iTunes without having to have my iPod handy.

*The flashlight feature.  (Again with the eyes!)

*Angry Birds.  Greatest phone game ever.

*I haven't downloaded a magazine, book, or newspaper; however, that is an option that is available.  My newsstand is empty.  (How sad is that?)

It is easy to see what the goal was with the iPhone.  It eliminates the need for an iPod, eReader, camera, and even a computer. The Apple people are working to get everything condensed into one product.

Best Christmas present ever!  Just sayin'!  (And the Mr. is happy because he is done shopping, and he didn't have to wrap it!)

O Christmas Tree

I love being home at this time of year.

The Christmas tree is in the living room.

This is the view from my favorite chair in the family room.

"There's no place like home for the holidays."