Monday, December 28, 2015

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS 2015

Well it's Monday December the twenty eighth, and Christmas 2015 has come and gone, and the long wonderful week-end right along with it.  We had just a wonderful celebration and as I am reading around in blogland it sounds as if many of you did as well.  I didn't take a lot of pictures, but I will try and quickly fill you in on our celebrations.  Let's back up a little bit though to where I had left off last Monday [goodness, was that only a week ago?! lol].

I did manage to finally finish up that apron on Monday, and put together 3 different ornaments for my friend as well.  On Tues I met her for lunch and we had just a wonderful time IN SPITE of the fact it was pouring rain which made the traffic and the parking way worse then it would have been even though it was Dec. the 22nd., and it was very chilly for So. California.  Don't think it got much over 55 that day.  We lingered for a couple of hours, exchanged our gifts, and enjoyed every little minute we spent together.  I left there and drove home where I met my hubby and freshened up a bit and we headed over to my youngest sister's house.  My hubby had decided he would just hang out with my sister's husband and son that night while we were gone so I wouldn't have to drive over alone in the rain and dark.  I've mentioned more then once I think that he is a definite keeper...grin.  Anyway, my sister and her daughter Katie treated me to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then we went and saw the Nutcracker that is put on by the school where Katie has studied ballet for the last several years.  She is VERY talented, and LOVE LOVE LOVES ballet.  Anyway, we had a VERY fun night and I enjoyed ever minute of that too.  Her apron could not have fit her better and looked absolutely adorable on her.  Let me show you...


IT WAS HARDER TO GET HER NAME RIGHT WHERE I WANTED IT THEN YOU MIGHT THINK....I ENDED UP HOOPING A STABILIZER AND THEN JUST USING A TEMPORARY FABRIC GLUE SPRAY TO HOLD THE PIECE IN PLACE.  I WISH I HAD DONE THE NAME A LITTLE BIGGER, BUT IT WAS OK.  I ALSO BURNED THE EDGES OF THE BOW SO IT WOULDN'T RAVEL.... 


HERE'S WHERE IT FASTENED IN THE BACK.  THOSE PEPPERMINT BUTTONS THEY FOUND WERE JUST ADORABLE!

THE HEARTS FIT RIGHT OVER HER TINY HIPS PERFECTLY, AND I WAS MIGHTY GRATEFUL, LOL  SHE IS SOO TINY AND CUTE [4FT. 11 IN.  MAYBE NINTY FIVE POUNDS!] THAT IT MADE IT EVEN CUTER ON HER!

I MADE HER TURN AROUND SO YOU CAN SEE HOW FAR IT WRAPPED AROUND IN THE BACK, AND HOW THE SHOULDERS STRAPS CROSSED
Wednesday morning arrived and we had Bible study and thoroughly enjoyed that as well.  The gals left by shortly after lunch however as they had LOTS to finish up.  I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and sitting in my comfy chair.  I REALLY enjoyed that let me tell you,  and hubby got home early and we had a nice dinner and enjoyed watching George C. Scotts Christmas Carol on TV before popping into bed pretty early.  On Christmas Eve morning we got up and had a nice big breakfast and wrapped up our couple of gifts that were left and headed down to San Diego.  We got there around 1 and spent a couple of hours just visiting and enjoying the kids until it was time to go to service at 4. The service was just SOOOO good.  I enjoyed the music, the message, and the fellowship afterwards more then I can tell you.  After service we went back to my sons house where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner my DIL left cooking in the over while we were gone.  The house smelled heavenly as we walked back through the door.  After dinner it was presents, pie, and fun time as we watched the grands enjoy their gifts.  Hubby and I headed back home about nine thirty or so and tumbled into bed by 11.

PRETTY MUCH THE ONLY PICTURE I TOOK WAS RIGHT BEFORE PRESENTS...
ONE OF THE OUTFITS WE GOT DONATELLA....SHE WORE IT THE NEXT DAY TO CHRISTMAS DINNER AT HER OTHER GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE, SO HER MOM SENT ME A PIC OF HER IN IT. SOO CUTE!  SHE LOVED THE FRINGE!




I did take this video however of the kids performing at the Christmas Eve service.  Little Donatella is in the front row in the white dress.  She looked just adorable and was sooo into it!  One of my favorite things during Christmas celebrations.

We slept in [for us!] clear until 7:30 on Christmas morning and had another big breakfast and long leisurely morning before we showered and dressed and headed over to my oldest son's house for Christmas dinner and gift exchange time with their family and also my middle son John and his wife who joined us there as well.  It was just such a good day.  It was relaxing and wonderful and we both enjoyed every minute of it.  I will tell you truthfully it is VERY nice that my DIL's are such good cooks and hostesses that I really don't do much of anything anymore on our get togethers.  I brought pie and cupcakes to both houses, but that was about the extent of my contributions, and  I sat in a chair and enjoyed the grands and conversations with my kids is about all I really did once I got there. Again, I took VERY few pictures [not sure how this happened again!] but I guess I was just busy living the moments.  Let me show you the couple I did get....

SIX YEAR OLD CODY'S PRESENTS THIS YEAR WERE ALL ABOUT STAR WARS, LOL  HERE HE IS A STORM TROUPER WITH R2D2, LOL.  HE WAS SOO CUTE ON THE DAY!

WE GOT HIM A REMOTE CONTROLLED SHIP THAT ACTUALLY FLEW AROUND THE YARD.  TOOK A WHILE TO FIGURE EVERYTHING OUT, BUT IT WORKED PRETTY GOOD!

SON JOHN, HUBBY, JOE, CODY AND R2D2 AND CP3O, LOL OH AND DARTH VADOR TOO!
We sat around the table with pie and conversation until almost nine o'clock again before we finally headed home.  The only thing that could have been a tid bit better would have been ANOTHER gathering of all of us together, but I am sooo grateful that we did get that back on the 5th.  and I just can't complain.  I have been blessed with WAY too much for that.  How grateful I am.

Then on Sat. Dec. twenty sixth we headed out to the wedding reception for my niece and her new husband Mike.  I will be honest and say I was a little tired and might have preferred a day or so at home doing not much of anything at all, but there was no way I was missing a chance to see my brother and his WHOLE family when there are just not that many opportunities to do so anymore. He lives in Arizona where two of his sons also live, and then my niece Crystal and her family live in Washington.  It was  SUPER SUPER windy, cold day and we drove through quite the dust storm getting there.  When we arrived their power had just gone out, but it was back on about an hour later so it was OK.   Again, the food, the company, the conversation ALL just couldn't have been better and we had a wonderful, wonderful time.  I just snapped a couple of pictures there too....though I didn't even get one of my brother or his wife or one of his sons....sigh.  Just kind of bombed on the picture taking this year.  Anyway, here is what I have...

NEPHEW DANNY AND NIECE CRYSTAL.....HOW I MISS THESE TWO BEING AROUND MUCH ANYMORE!

CRYSTAL AND HER HUBBY MIKE AND THEIR DAUGHTER KATELYNN
Yesterday hubby and I played hookey from church and listened instead to our pastor online.  We ventured out for a little grocery shopping in the afternoon, but that was about the extent of our activities.  We relaxed and watched movies, and just generally took it easy.  I always enjoy this last week of December before the New year, and spend it usually not only putting "Christmas" away, but reflecting on where this last year has brought us and what lies ahead for the new year.  There is generally a nap or two as well, and time spent blogging, on the phone and cleaning out the fridge from left overs [though there is not much of that this year, lol].  I am looking forward to it I will admit.  Let me leave you with a couple of pics that Mel sent over that are too cute to resist...


SWEET LITTLE CLAIRE

FIRST CHRISTMAS FOR THIS LITTLE ELF, LOL

ON THE 23RD THEIR LITTLE FAMILY RODE THE POLAR EXPRESS OUT OF LUBBOCK FOR FUN...THE BOYS WERE SOO EXCITED!  CLAIRE ENJOYS WHATEVER THE BOYS ARE DOING, LOL
WATCHING OUT THE WINDOW OF THE TRAIN
THERE WAS A BIG BLIZZARD YESTERDAY AT THEIR HOUSE AND THEY SPENT THE DAY LIKE THIS....WELL THEY DID ANYWAY.  THEIR POOR DADDY HAD TO BE OUT IN IT ALL DAY AS DAIRY FARMING NEVER TAKES A DAY OFF,  THE COWS STILL HAVE TO EAT AND BE MILKED AND PROTECTED FROM THE WEATHER AS BEST THEY CAN BE.  HUGE HUGE PROBLEMS RESULTED FROM THIS STORM FOR THEM, BUT THEY ARE ALL OK WHICH IS ALL THAT MATTERS!

THE BOYS ARE ENJOYING THE SNOW TODAY!


Well this is ridiculously long so I will end it for now.  But at least I am all caught up with not much planned until after the New Year so this should be the last long post for a while.  Hope you all have a good week...many blessings to you all!  Debbie

8 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas week! So glad for you. Your grandkids are all so adorable and I love, love that apron!

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  2. Dear Debby, your Christmas was like ours-several days celebrating and remembering the Reason for the season. Loved seeing all your grands. Now you'll get to relax I hope! May your New Year be filled with blessings of joy,mlove and health!
    Love,
    Noreen

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  3. Enjoyed reading about all the events and happenings of your Christmas. Great pics too! Now, enjoy this empty week as we all prepare for the new year ahead. Hugs!

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  4. Aww... Sweet. Lovely Christmas 2015 celebrations with your family. :) love the photos you got

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  5. I always enjoy catching up with you and your family, Deb, the apron you made Katie was absolutely beautiful! Your Christmas celebrations with your family sounded absolutely perfect! I am like you I enjoy the week after Christmas too getting the decoration taken down, doing a lot of reflecting, and planning for the New Year!
    Thank you for sharing,
    Wishing you and yours a most blessed and Happy New Year!
    Hugs from me to you!
    Sue

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  6. I love all of your pictures Debbie. What a storm in New Mexico!!! I hope they are doing okay now. It sounds like you had a very, very nice Christmas. That apron turned out so nice.
    I bet you are enjoying this week. It is so nice to finally slow down isn't it?
    Well I hope you have a lovely New Year.

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  7. What a full, fun Christmastime! No wonder you had to take a few breaks. I'd still be napping! Glad that the Lubbock crowd is doing okay. That was quite a nasty storm!

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!