the "day before the day before......

The day before the day before.... December 23rd has always been a favorite day of mine, it just seems it's a fun time and a good day before Christmas goes whizzing by...and with talk that Dad will be home for Christmas!!! it makes this day even more special.. they will make the decision for certain and will more than likely release him tomorrow... he's still very weak and has much recovery to go.. but the fact that we feel we are almost out of the woods.. it just amazing....

We woke to a bit of snow.... just enough to make it a white Christmas.... and remind us of the weather that is yet to come...












Abi has come to spend the day with me, and we made tracks up to the barn to be sure that everyone there is happy and well.....

It's a quiet day.. even the doggies seem to just enjoy being together and soaking up the warmth of the woodstove...... Hunter and Trev... my old boys.......

I did the last minute wrapping projects.... getting ready.... and just so happy in the thoughts of our family being all together over the next few days....

Some Christmas surprises came in the mail today for Abi and Reagan.. sent to me by "Miss Gloria".. a wonderful older lady.. my friend, Cynthia's Mom. (she's in her 90's)....

I tried to get Abi and Camille to re-create an old Christmastime photo.. Abie was more than happy to stage it... Camille... had better things to do....

Abi opened Miss Gloria's card and inside was this beautiful little hand painted ornament that Miss Gloria had made.... Abi thought it was beautiful and wanted to take a photo that we mailed back to Miss Gloria... makes me so happy to see that the grands can appreciate even "small" things like this....

tomorrow is the "magical" night... and I feel so blessed that threw this whole season, with Dad being so sick.. that the grands always seem to keep bringing me back to how special this all is.....
















and though we have the "fun of Santa".. we celebrate the real reason for Christmas....


and I say Merry Christmas to one and all and hope that everyone may enjoy this wonderful time of year.....