JUST THOUGHT I'D STOP AND SAY HELLO

So I've been working on taking down Christmas....hooray! I will have almost everything organized today except for the big tree with it's ornaments. It's going to have to wait because I need to do some packing for myself on Monday and Tuesday. That is always stressful for me. 

We are going to be going to Adam and Gabby's to watch James and the dogs starting on Wednesday. They are attending a wedding in Mexico this week. There will be a few days when James is going to spend time with Gabby's mom, his cousins and her sister and brother in law but we will still be watching Roxy and Gracie and it's just easier at their home then ours. (Gracie gets into a lot of trouble)

As you know, the Hallmark movies have been my go to during the pandemic. I'm trying to pull away and watch less. I've just had this routine in the morning where I watch one that I taped and have my coffee. Then I go on my computer for awhile along with doing some things around the house. 

I don't think I shared with you the fact that I saw every new Christmas movie that was available on Hallmark, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Lifetime. 

Hallmark Channels New Christmas Movies   -  31

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries   -  11

Lifetime   -  35

They were all recorded which means you can FF through the commercials which takes less time to watch. I know it sounds crazy, and maybe it is, but I've been watching the Christmas movies for years and years. 

We celebrated Adam's 43rd birthday on Friday night. His birthday falls on Wednesday the 20th. We didn't make a big deal about in front of James, he didn't even know, except that we did get a beautiful meal delivered from Benihana's and a nice dessert which we ate after James went to bed. For now it's just easier this way because James gets upset if it's not his birthday. 

Love, Mom and Dad

 I also want to wish my Mother in law Vivian a Happy 94th Birthday. We all wanted to go to Houston to celebrate but with Covid it's just not the safest thing to do. 

Speaking of Covid our son in law Dylan, who is a nurse, just tested positive. On some of his days off about 10 days ago he didn't feel well. When he went back to work they tested him and it was negative. This morning he woke up not feeling well and he tested positive. Keep him and Amber in your prayers. Hoping she doesn't get it too. 

Hope all is well with everyone. Take care and God Bless. 

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

On Christmas Eve Mark made a delicious Prime Rib and we had scalloped potatoes. We watched a few Christmas movies and it was a very nice day for us. We also had Roxy and Gracie here for a few hours.  When they picked them up James came in and played with the train for a little while. Then we noticed him walking with the Gingerbread house and he said "I built this!" It was so darn cute. 

We had a lovely Christmas Day with Adam, Gabby, and James. James was napping when we arrived. He definitely wanted to open presents when he woke up. However, he wanted every present to be his. He didn't understand that we all open presents and we watch each other open presents. 

He already had a lot of new gifts from Santa and other family members. He had zero interest in the bike we brought into the house. He certainly didn't care about clothes. One of our gifts didn't arrive here at the house but will be here for when they come over on New Year's Day. 

That is not James on the bike but it is what's know as a Balance Bike. We got it from Amazon. They learn to walk with there feet and balance that way. Then at some point you can snap the peddles out and he can ride the bike. They are for ages 2-5. No more training wheels. 

Little Tikes My First Balance-to-Pedal Training Bike for Kids in Green, Ages 2-5 Years

So we gave him a gift that Amber and Dylan bought for him and he was as happy as can be. Nothing else mattered. The rest of his day was about the recycle trash truck. He took pieces of wrapping paper and filled the truck with it! 

And no doubt he probably took it to bed that night. 

As it turned out, he also was fascinated with the little card with Santa on it that was on the package from his great grandmother, my mother in law. Had to get a picture for her! 

We really didn't take any other pictures on Christmas Day. We always forget to take pictures of ourselves. It was a perfect day and not much traffic on the road. We had our Lou Malnati's frozen pizza and an awesome salad. 

Earlier when we arrived we had a nice variety of snacks too! It was a perfect day and only wished that Amber and Dylan could have been there with all of us. 

They will be over on New Years Day so James can enjoy our decorations one more time and have fun with the train set. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS....

Our Christmas tree....

(be sure to enlarge the photos)

Jim Shore Christmas collection.

Willow Tree Nativity....

My miniature tree....

These are ornaments of the singing snowmen and they sing too!

Christmas towels....

S & P Shakers

Beautiful Poinsettia from my friend Kendra at bowling.

Living room with Singing snowmen for James to enjoy!

James had an amazing time with all of the singing snowmen! They came over for a second time and he just loved playing with them again. 

These are the plush that James set out on the sofa. 

Then there was a train that we had. Haven't used it in years. Actually we don't ever even remember using it. Anyway James loved it but it is too delicate of a train for his age and it had it's own issues so we are giving it away and got a new one. 

Here's the new one. Marks been having fun with it!

So they came over on Sunday.....James loved the new train.

Eating some cheese spread with a spoon....

His first Gingerbread house. I squeezed out the frosting and he put on the candy.

He opened a Christmas present. Lincoln Logs from Aunt Amber & Uncle Dylan. We had decided to give out some early gifts because Christmas Day is going to be overwhelming for him with gifts just like his birthday party was.

Would you believe that I have five large bins of decorations that I did not put out this year. It is definitely time to downsize again. I did that about 5 years ago. I just can't do it all anymore.

Got my Christmas cards in the mail on the 10th and got the out of town gifts mailed on the 13th. I do the click-n-ship and take them to the post office to be scanned. Everyone received them in record time. We have also received everyone's gifts to us here at the house. 

 

I'll be making a Hoska which is a Bohemian Sweet Bread on Christmas Eve like I always do. Mark and I will be alone and plan on making a Prime Rib dinner.  However we will have Roxy and Gracie here while they celebrate Christmas with Gabby's family on Christmas Eve. The pups will not be spending the night. 

I'm thinking that maybe they can come one more time for James to play with things again before I pack things up. I usually wait a few weeks until I start to pack things up. 

We will be going to their house on Christmas Day. It should be a fun! We will be having a low key afternoon with Lou Malnati's frozen pizza from Chicago and lots of great snacks to eat. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and everyone one of you and your families. May 2022 be a wonderful year filled with blessing from God. 

Love,

Debby