Christmas 2013

Christmas is my favorite holiday. You can tell by the decorations around the tree and along the wall that I go a little overboard on the decorations. It all started about 12 years ago with a little white stuffed dog with a green stocking cap lying under the tree. It was so cute that the next year I added more stuffed animals. My intention was to add ONE Christmas character each year. But things got a little away from me. This year as I was decorating the tree and putting out the characters, I swore I was going to downsize for next year. But the more I think about it the more I think who do I get rid of? Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock? Rudolph and the other 8 reindeer? My Hallmark snowmen creations? The penguin on the sleigh singing "Just hear those sleigh bells jingling..."? This year I did restrain myself and did not buy one thing to add to my menagerie. But Karen contributed to my addiction and gave me a fiber optic Santa - it's standing on the cabinet under the television.

One of the best things was waking up Christmas morning knowing Melissa, Jamie and Violet were with me. They did have their own Christmas tree in their downstairs apartment so they could experience Violet's first Christmas.

And even though Michael did not spend the night, he and Ashley came to join in the festivities.

I was also surprised to receive a text from Michele wanting to come to Kanas City to watch Violet open her presents. It's not often that the four sisters are together.

But all eyes were focused on Violet. Since she wants to walk all the time holding on to your fingers, I thought I'd get her a stroller that she could use to support herself while she cruises through the house.

If you close your eyes and think of Dad while you watch this video, there's not much difference between the two. Both Dad and Violet cruise around quite well holding their respective "walkers"!

Christmas Crochet Creation

I've been crocheting for so many years making afghans, scarves, headbands, booties, etc. for my family and friends that I've just about exhausted giving any of them crocheted gifts. But now I have Michael's girlfriend, Ashley, to lavish with my creations.

So I made her a scarf and headband for Christmas - purple is her favorite color.

I took Michele's advice and took a close up picture of the scarf to show the detail of the crocheted pattern.

Merry Christmas to All

I've been wanting to send a holiday card for several years but never had a picture that I was happy with. So this past Thanksgiving I had Jamie set up his camera and had the kids coordinate outfits so I could get a picture for my Christmas card.

I am really happy with the way it turned out. Tomorrow is Christmas and I'll be running around all day fixing dinner and entertaining family. So Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Outdoor Christmas Decorations

Even though my Christmas lights have been up since Thanksgiving, I've been holding off posting a picture because there wasn't any snow on the ground. Be careful what you wish for!

Each year I try to add a new decoration to my menagerie of Christmas characters. But the kids of have threatened to disown me if I continue with my redneck ways. The candy cane, Santa, Christmas Tree and snowman are acceptable, but they draw the line at the pink flamingos, pink pig, and waddling geese. So this year I bought a few more balls for the tree.

Tomorrow is Christmas and the decorations will soon be coming down packed away for next Christmas. I think I'll sneak out for the after Christmas sales and see what outrageous delight I can add for next year.

Robeez - Crochet Boots

There's a new style of infant shoes called Robeez. Melissa just had to have some for Violet but you can only buy then online. It's so hard to determine shoe size especially for Violet. Her foot is too big for 6-12 month size and too small for 12-18 month size. So Melissa went ahead and bought the 12-18 month size. Of course they are too big for Violet so I quickly got out my yard and crocheted her a pair of boots.

The picture is a bit misleading. The angle makes the Robeez look extremely big compared to the boots.  There's really just about an inch difference plus the boots stretch. Violet wore her crochet boots out yesterday on her shopping trip with Mom and Dad. While they were in the store a lady come up to Melissa and tapped her on the shoulder and handed her one of Violet's boots. I thought she liked them...that's Melissa not Violet.

Violet is 9 Months Old

It's getting harder and harder for Melissa to take monthly pictures of Violet. She just won't sit still.

Pictures are a bit blurry because Violet doesn't always want to cooperate. I thought she'd be walking by now and run from the picture. As long as there's something to hold on to, she can travel all over the house. I'm usually a couple of steps in front of her and I move all the things she can't touch out of her way.

Melissa was a little more creative and took this picture from the back.

Jamie at the Maverick's Game

Their are several sponsors that set up booths out in the hallways before each Maverick's hockey game.

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make Jamie stick his head through the life size cutout of this hockey player. Every time we enter all the drawings but haven't been successful in winning anything so far.

Meanwhile Violet was home showing how squash and avocados are not only tasty but good for your skin and hair.

Violet's First Visit with Santa

I can't believe I almost forgot to post this picture.

Jamie and Melissa took Violet to see Santa at Bass Pro Shop which accounts for the reindeer in the background. Melissa had the idea of taking Violet in her pajamas. They expected her to cry when they dropped her in Santa's lap. But the photographer was very proficient and snapped the picture before Violet even realized where she was. Later they took Khloe and Lola to get their picture taken with Santa. But as soon as they put the dogs in Santa's lap, Lola took off.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Dad hit another milestone today reaching his 87th birthday.

Michael, Karen, Teresa, Brad and I took Dad to breakfast this morning at Cracker Barrel. Then Karen, Dad and I headed to Harrah's for Dad to take advantage of my "coupon Sunday" coupons which I gave him as a birthday gift - thanks Harrah's. Although the coupons didn't return a big windfall, we had a good time. Dad, 364 more days until you reach the big 88.

December Birthdays

I used my Harrah's celebration dinner tonight to celebrate the December birthdays - me, Jamie and Dad.

The celebration dinner allows me to spend $500 for dinner. You'd be surprised how hard it is to spend that much money for 8 people for dinner. We had appetizers, steaks, lobster tails, desserts and even took home a bottle of wine. On top of that everyone had "to go" boxes so we have dinner for tomorrow night.

Happy Birthday to Me

Today was just like any other Thursday night dinner except it was my 59th birthday. I feel like I should start a bucket list of things to do before I turn 60. But the only things I can think of are clean out my closets, organize my storage room and garage. I need to pick something daring and exciting and outside the house. Nothing comes to mind right now but I'll add "think of things for my bucket list" to my bucket list.

Dad, Michael, Melissa, Jamie, Violet and I went to dinner at Bandanas. The bar-b-cue was good and Melissa and Jamie had a cherry pie waiting for me at home. I'm not crazy about celebrating my birthdays. I've entered that period where people say "you look good for your age." I'd hate to think of what they'd say if I looked bad. Probably no one would ever speak to me again.

Jamie and Melissa Date #2 Post Baby

Last night I gave my Mavericks ticket to Melissa and volunteered to babysit Violet while they went to the hockey game. Melissa put Violet to sleep in my bed before she left but was terrified that Violet would wake up while she was gone. But the event center is 10 minutes away and I promised to call if she woke up.

Wouldn't you know the game went into overtime and then a shootout. This time the Mavericks lost and I swear Melissa and Jamie were home within 10 minutes of the game being over (I was listening to it on my computer). But Violet was still sleeping. Best babysitting job I ever had.

Now there was the problem of what to do with sleeping Violet. We had a couple of options. 1 - we could leave her in my bed and I could sleep on the couch. But that was quickly nixed since none of us would be able to hear if Violet woke up. 2 - Melissa could get in my bed with Violet and I could sleep on the couch. But Melissa didn't want to spend most of the night awake with me snoring on the couch. 3 - Melissa could pick Violet up and take her to her own bed. Although number 3 was the winner, Melissa had a bit of trouble getting Violet back to sleep. That's probably why they say never wake a sleeping baby.

Thanksgiving

For the past several years I've been making Thanksgiving dinner. There's the traditional turkey and dressing (Grandma Eddie style), mashed and sweet potatoes, green beans, corn pudding, jello salad (thanks Karen), cranberries and rolls. Karen even brings a tasty dessert. But I'm getting to the point where something always seems to go wrong. Last year the turkey wasn't done so we put slices of it in the microwave and tried to eat turkey jerky - it was so overcooked. This year the turkey was perfectly cooked but the dressing was not cooked. And the dressing is the best part. So I quickly turned on my Master Chef mind and threw the dressing in a skillet. Besides being a bit burnt from trying to cook it so fast, it was pretty tasty.

I also took advantage of both Michael and Jamie being home and had them put up my Christmas lights and outdoor decorations. Then I made everyone dress up so I could get a family picture for my Christmas cards (picture to be revealed at a later date).

But we also took a few pictures of Michael and Violet.

Melissa and Violet.

The Taylor family (Khloe and Lola were hiding).

And Michael and Dad.

But, of course, Violet stole the show with the best picture of all.

Next year it's either dinner at Melissa and Jamie's new house (hopefully it will be completed by then) or we go to Harrah's buffet!

Maverick's Game with Michael and Ashley

Jamie had to work Wednesday night so I took the opportunity to treat Michael and Ashley to the Maverick's game.

 
Poor Ashley wasn't prepared for how cold it can get in an inside ice rink. But the Maverick's won after a five minute overtime, a tied shootout, and 24 attempts at the goal during sudden death. We also won a catered dinner for 20 at the chuck-a-puck game. We'll probably save the catered dinner for Violet's birthday celebration. Where am I going to come up with 20 people to come eat bar-b-cue.

Bundled Up for the Winter Chill

Melissa picked up Jenn and Randy from the airport and stopped at Kaleidoscope at Crown Center on the way home.

Sure is a good thing I can crochet. The weather was rather chilly but Violet was able to keep warm with the hat and blanket I made for her. It really must have been cold because Violet kept the hat on her head.

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

Violet is at that stage where she mimics the things that you do.

I think she's spending a little too much time with Khloe and Lola. Although I did creep downstairs and caught Melissa with a toy in her mouth.