Inside Christmas Decorations

Before I moved to my new home, I sold about 75% of the Christmas decorations I'd accumulated in the past, I don't even know how many years.

There were some things I couldn't part with and I'm so glad I didn't let them go. I've had this set of Hallmark reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen AND Rudolph! They usually sat around my tree. This year I bought fiber optic lights and decorated my mantle with the reindeer and stockings.

I also got custom made name tags for the stockings made out of wood.

For the past 21 years I've been collecting Mom, Son and Daughter dated ornaments adding Granddaughter in 2013 and Grandson in 2015. There's so many that I can only put 10 year's worth on the tree without completely overloading it. Notice instead of garland I use Mardi Gras beads and stuff the tree with extra greenery.

There's also a Mother/Daughter ornament. If there was a Mother/Son ornament, I would have that too.

Instead of a traditional angel or star tree topper, I found this Happy Holidays wood stick sign.

I've had this ladder going up the side of the tree with 2 wooden elves that my Mom and Dad made many, many years ago. One of the elves is missing a leg and the other has a broken hand. Even though I can't throw them away (they're in storage) I decided to put my Snoopy characters going up the ladder.

Now if I can stay out of Michaels and any other store with Christmas decorations, I should be done with decorating for Christmas.

Christmas Decorations

I tried not to go too overboard with decorating for Christmas.

I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to hang my train but then realized I could put it on my fence so all the neighbors could see it as they drove up the road.

I then added a few characters along the side of the house - my giraffe, pig and newest addition...

a hippo. What all these things have to do with Christmas only I can appreciate.

I added a Christmas tree with presents and an elf holding a Christmas card. The final touch was ornaments in the real tree. Our neighborhood Christmas party is approaching and hopefully I'll get positive feedback.

Thanksgiving Day

So many things going on this Thanksgiving.

One of the best things was Michele and Bruce making the long trek from Colorado across Kansas to join us. 

It was also Goldie's first Thanksgiving.

While I was frantically trying to finish cooking dinner, Michele did what she does best and played games with the kids.

We then had an opportunity for a couple of photo ops. First was all the girls.

Then the boys. It may be chaotic but I love having my family around for holidays.

Michael Runs the 5K Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving Day is the annual 5K Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot held at Berkley Riverfront Park near downtown Kansas City.

Michael decided to join a group of his friends from Harrah's and brave the not so bad weather conditions and run the 5K.

He's not used to doing so much exercising but he did finish. 

Christmas Lights

What comes with a new house? According to Jamie, a new set of custom fit Christmas lights.

His friend Cody is starting a new business hanging Christmas lights so Jamie and Cody traded labor and I didn't have to help hang the lights.

Jamie used a red, red, white, white, red, red, etc. pattern and it looks really good. Now I need to get busy and put out the rest of my decorations before the weather begins to change again.

VIP Day with Violet

Schools have become politically correct and now call Grandparent's Day - VIP Day.

Lincoln was sick so it was just Violet and me. To stay away from the crowds, we decided to proceed backwards and visit the bookstore first. Then we did a craft together (a turkey puppet). Before heading to the donuts we stumbled across the photo booth.

On the way to Violet's classroom, all the previous activities were extremely crowded. I guess everyone was concerned they run out of donuts. Violet showed me her classroom but was very concerned about my leaving before the bell rang. Later Melissa told me it was because Violet likes to go through her folder to prepare for her school day. What a studious little girl!

First Snow of the Season

Not only was it Lincoln's birthday but we got our first snowfall of the year.

According to winter folklore, the date of the first snowfall determines the number of times it will snow during the winter season. If that's true, then we're in for 14 snowfalls this winter. Now how hard or light that may be, I'm not sure. I'm not crazy about 14 times but it's better than 30. Only time will tell. 

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

Today Lincoln turns 7 years old.

I made a collage of pictures taken through the years. It doesn't look like he's changed much except looking a bit older.

After a breakfast of donuts and opening family gifts, it was off to school until our birthday dinner at Red Robin. He must have liked the clothes I bought him because this is one of the outfits.

Even though I got my "blow out the candle" picture at his birthday party, I couldn't help but try and get another on his birthday. Lincoln was a little hesitant to have the candles lit and everyone sing happy birthday to him. So we made a deal that we'd just light the candles and no one sang. Happy Birthday Lincoln!

Lincoln"s Football Watch Birthday Party

Lincoln's 7th birthday started on Sunday with a football watch party.

The garage was set up with games and tables for the kids while the adults could watch the Chiefs game in the living room. A wonderful idea until the kids got bored with outdoor games and decided to invade the living room.

But kids are kids and their attention spans run wild. So there were several moments when the house was quiet.

There was a good mix of adults and kids but it still seemed as though there were more kids than adults. What did I expect for Lincoln's birthday party?

Then the house was invaded again with kids to open gifts. It was funny to watch Lincoln open gifts and gush over those he really liked and toss aside the ones he wasn't quite fond of. That's why I had him open my gifts before the party began. I bought him clothes and made him a new afghan, red, white, blue and green just as he asked. That was 2 minutes of excitement...for me that is.

Cupcake and cookies were the birthday treats and I got my yearly theme picture of Lincoln blowing out his candle.

I must say Jamie and Melissa do put on a great party. I just wish there weren't so many kids!!!

10 Month Old Goldie

Goldie reached another monthly milestone turning 10 months old.

It's getting a little harder to get her picture seated in the chair when all she wants to do is be on the move. Two more months Goldie, then you get to go to yearly number stickers!

Now There's A Tree!

Progress is moving right along on the landscaping in the common area to the east of my house.

I looked out the window and saw the guys planting a new tree. Is it the only one? I heard there was going to be 2-3. Maybe next week they'll get to the sod. Only time will tell!

Extended Landscaping

My new house is at the end of the row and while I have no neighbors to the east, I always thought the common area would be grass seed that in a few years would look halfway decent.

Well the HOA has decided to install a water system and sod and a park like setting with trees and a bench. Work has begun today. Who has the best lot in the neighborhood.......ME! I'll keep you updated on progress.

Cemetery Surprise.....or Mistake

Teresa and I have decided to take advantage of the vases at the cemetery for Grandma Eddy, Mom and Dad.

Some type of ethereal phenomena always seems to happen when I go to the cemetery. While setting up the vase for Grandma Eddy's arrangement, I put my hand on her headstone. I swear I felt an electrical shock. My finger even went numb for a few minutes. Teresa thought she'd hit me with the vase but that didn't happen. Active imagination????? I don't think so.

We then went and checked on Mom and Dad's arrangement and noticed the cemetery had installed an additional vase. Long story short, they put the vase in the wrong place to begin with and either someone found the paperwork to put up the vase where we originally wanted it or they figured out they made a mistake and figured it was easier to just install another vase as opposed to redoing the inscription for Mom and Dad. I touched the granite plate with the new vase and it moved. Scared the crap out of me. Teresa thinks it was a sign from Dad. I think if it was Dad, the entire plate would have fallen out. Probably just a little hello from Mom!