Merry Christmas

With Christmas being at Melissa's, I checked my list more than twice to make sure I had everything I was supposed to bring.

Even with all the presents and toys strung across the living room, the day couldn't have been more perfect. Nothing is better than having your whole family there.

All my gifts were extra special since some were personalized with Violet, Lincoln, Hazel and Goldie's names.

And such a success taking the family selfie. Kids will do anything to open presents. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.....I'm tired!

Christmas Eve

As I sit here Christmas Eve...

staring at my stockings hung by the chimney...

and my sparkling Christmas tree, I'm kind of sad that I won't be having Christmas at my house. But then I remember the chaos and mess and that feeling suddenly turns to happiness.

I'm sure I had just as much work to do having Christmas at Melissa's - baking cookies, making the mashed potatoes, gathering up all the presents and stockings and checking my list. I had one last stop to make and that was to go to Harrah's to pick up the ribs (we had a barbecue Christmas). Teresa and I went up, played a bit (which we broke even - a win for me) then lunch with Michael. I think I'll just enjoy the quiet while I can.

 

3,000,000 Steps

I made it! I finally made it. I set a goal for myself to walk 3,000,000 steps in 2023. I started out the year strong but somewhere along the way I started to fall behind. So for the last few months, I've been walking and walking and walking to the point of never wanting to walk again.

Today I finally took my 3,000,000th step. It feels good to accomplish that goal. But trust me, I'll never set a goal that high again. Do you have any idea how many steps 3,000,000 steps is? I'm going back to water aerobics!

I thought about a personal trainer, then I found this sign and decided this is what I really need! Any interest?

Chiefs Win!

Teresa and I have been going to Erin's Pub to watch the Chiefs game.

I'd like to say we go for the camaraderie and excitement of watching the game with other people. But truth be told, we go for the free Mudslide shots they give when the Chiefs score a touchdown. Just our luck, the Chiefs haven't had any high scoring games for a while. At least it keeps us out of jail. Go Chiefs!

Violet's Christmas Program

This is my last Christmas program for this year. Mason Elementary School is getting smarter and allowing the parents (and grandparents) to show up just minutes before their class performs.

Violet had a 5th grade Christmas program. Her outfit really shows how much she's grown up. In fact, she borrows my shoes! Great job Violet!

Thank goodness Goldie doesn't have a Christmas program. No telling what kind of mood she'd be in...hat on, hat off. Look at the camera, ignore the photographer!!! All in the spirit of Christmas.

Hazel's Christmas Program

The season of school Christmas programs has begun. Hazel had her first Christmas program at her preschool. This school not only has Pre-K students but also 1, 2 and 3 year olds who also participated.

Hazel's first song was Reindeer Pokey. The kids wore red noses, reindeer ears and what I can only describe as bunny tails but I guess reindeer do have white fuzzy tails. The song was sang using the tune from the song Hokey Pokey substituting reindeer parts. "You put your antlers in, you put your antlers out....etc, etc." Now I know why Hazel couldn't tell me what songs she was singing. I'm sure these were all made up.

The program went rather fast considering the change out of classes. The little girl on Hazel's right was so dramatic that she kept throwing her arms in front of Hazel. But Hazel was a trooper and just kept on singing. The program was actually pretty cute and well coordinated. And the best part was it only lasted 36 minutes....LOL! Great program Hazel.

Happy Birthday Jamie!

We're down to our last birthday for 2023.

Jamie turns 41 today. After I took this picture I wondered if he remembered to put his birthday year on it. Then when I saw the 41, I thought he'd made a mistake. Well he is 41 and I'm getting that much older. Violet gave me a great suggestion for next year. I'm going to take pictures (if I remember) during everyone's birthdays then select the best picture for each person and make a personalized collage blanket at the end of the year. So stay tuned at the end of 2024 for the finished product. In the meantime, Happy Birthday Jamie!

Birthday #69 in the Books

Well it's official. I've entered the last year of my 60's.

And in the tradition of taking pictures in my birthday shirt, we were able to get a picture before heading out to Christmas in the park at Longview Lake.

Violet and Hazel stood up through the moon roof in my car and snapped about 100 pictures. My favorite was the giant birthday cake which I believe was commemorating my birthday.

Everyone still makes fun of my 40 year old "nursing home" jacket but it did come in handy when Hazel started getting cold while we drove through the park.

With 10 people we had to take 2 cars. I think we had the best car. Hazel had already buckled herself back in her car seat before this picture was taken.

I was also surprised with several birthday gifts. Michael gave me a set of wine glasses and a bottle of my favorite Pinot Grigio wine. (I may have given him a slight hint as to what I wanted.)

Hazel made me a beautiful birthday card.

Lincoln bought me a Travis Kelce flag for my garage she shed.

And Violet did something that almost made me cry. Many, many years ago I bought my Mother a needle point set and told her to work on it during the year and give it back to me the next Christmas when she finished. I had given Violet this latch hook rug kit for one of her birthdays. It was the cutest panda and I kept telling her I wanted it when she finished it. Well that's exactly what she gave me for my birthday. I will cherish it forever.

Happy Birthday to me. Do I feel older? Not today. Next year may be a different story!