And so, the time has arrived.... and looking to be as exciting as promised. I didn't share earlier, because these were Christmas presents... but I made one of the little nutcracker ornaments for both Abbie and Reagan.... I try each year to make them an ornament and maybe one day.. they will have a tree of their own, filled with ornaments made by "baby"....I also want to make each of them a Christmas stocking.. but that didn't happen this year, so it's top of the list for next!!!!!
It turned out that my "day before the day before" didn't come out so quiet... Sadie called and said that Abbie wanted to come back for an overnight.... which meant that we could have her here for Christmas Eve morning and thus we were able to have some "one on one" time with her... (since there are so many other family members that want to have her too...) So, when Papa arrived home from work, there she was......
I found this little game in a wonderful toy shop.... it's called "the Honeybee tree"... and you pull out the "branches" and see how many "bees" drop into your tray. The object of the game is.. "the one with fewer bees ..wins".. but Abbie decided that "bee keepers" like bees, so she changed the rules and said.. the "one with the most bees wins".... we must have played this game a hundred times and the moment Papa arrived home... he just had to stop everything and play!!!!
So, Christmas Eve morning, we were already enjoying opening gifts and seeing the happiness on Abbie's face with the gifts that Santa brought early, and the ones that Baby and Papa had found....
This year it's all about "my little ponies"... which is really funny, because both her Mom and Aunt were into these "ponies" at just about her age....wish now I had kept all those "ponies" from before....
It was so nice to have the day together.. Abbie got to play with her new things, stay in her pj's and we had fun ....
Then, we got dressed and met up with everyone for church. We went down to the church that Kass and Nate attend... and fortunately, went quite early, because we were able to find some seats ... in the back!!! The church was beyond packed!!! (too bad that isn't a weekly occurrence!!!) It was a very nice service and I really enjoyed being there.
Debbie was with us as well... she was so good, and hardly anyone even knew she was there. Seems I have a different dog every Christmas!!!
After church, we all met at Rachel's house. Abbie and Naomi were so happy to be together.... they had a great time playing with Reagan and just being two little girls waiting for Christmas....
Tried to get a "good" photo of these three... but for this year... impossible!!!!
Then it was "jammie's" time... so that when little ones fell asleep on the their rides home.. they could easily be tucked into bed afterwards.... and look who is starting the climbing up stage!!!!
Debbie seemed to keep a careful eye on him!!!!
What a gift it is to have the whole family together.... I love making, buying and giving presents... no doubt... but I have come to the point in my life where.... this is the real gift.... four generations of one family all together, celebrating the birth of our Lord!!!!
Christmas kiss...
and just a few presents opened.... because tomorrow... everyone will be off in different directions.....
laughter....
and surprises......
Now, Christmas morning we were at Kass and Nate's... they have taken over the Christmas morning breakfast.... again.. a houseful of family... we were joined by Deb and Dave... Lauren,Sean and Deb's Mom.. plus my Mom and Dad.... watching Reagan enjoying his first Christmas morning....
And that great little toy shop where I found the bee game... had all the great toys.... I think Reagan enjoys his top.... (with a little train that runs round and round....)
spending time with Papa.....
My Mom "found" this peddle car at (of all places) the local thrift shop!!! It is in great condition.. and though it's just a tad big for him to really use now... he seemed quite fascinated by it... (and sat in it for the longest time)....
"come on Camille"... the day has just begun.... Now.. me.. the camera guru... who hardly ever is NOT taking pictures of everything... suddenly found a camera with no Batteries!!!! (and of course, did I think to bring the extra with me... NO)... so... you have to be sure that the rest of the day went just as wonderful.
From Kass and Nate's it was onto my parent's house.... where we were joined by my sisters and their families... more excellent food... and gifts of course... but still for me... more time spent together. And as the day (sadly) came to a close... I can say for fact.. that this was yet again another wonderful Christmas... and I am sad that it will be tucked away for another year..... there is much to look forward to, but I am always sad to see Christmas night.....
"the day before the day before"... still one of my favorite "days of the holidays" though I must admit, that this year... it doesn't have the same "meaning" as it has in the past. When the kids were little, I loved the 23rd, because I was always already for Christmas.. the "stress" was behind me, and yet the excitement and wonder was still yet to be .... now that we're empty nesters... the "stress" of getting it all done really doesn't exists anymore, but there is still the excitement.. especially with the grands!!!
And we woke this morning to the sound of sleet and ice, and the world around us seems to be made of glass. Though it is pretty, it's also a real pain in the neck, and getting around the farm (especially on the drive) is not much fun. No more walking down to the barn for me... I'll pull the jeep out and drive it down...
so, the doggies and I just stuck close to home (Ed was working) and made sure that everything is wrapped and packed and set to go......
Yesterday, however, was a much more exciting day. Abbie had spent the night before, and we all dressed in the morning and went to church. She hasn't been to church with us for a while, so everyone was so happy to see her. Because of the predicted weather.. attendance at church was low, but it was fun. The kids had a special story and each received a white Christmas teddy bear, much to their delight... an early Christmas gift.
In the afternoon, Abbie and I made cookies.. she loves to bake and is so good and careful around the stove. I love cooking with her.....and she was so happy to make Papa's favorite cookies for him.
She did some re-dorating of the tree, putting her favorite ornaments where she could see them best. And needless to say, she is beyond excited about Christmas. Her request this year are "my little ponies"... and I know for a fact that Santa has many of them tucked into his sleigh just for her. Sadie came and picked Abbie up late in the afternoon so they could do some of their family activities... but Abbie will be back on Christmas eve afternoon.. so that Papa and I can have some "present time" with just her......
After Abbie and Sadie left, we headed out to meet up with Kas, Nate and Reagan. There is a house a few towns over that does an amazing light display... so we thought it would be fun to have some dinner together and then head over and check out the lights. Reagan is so good at restaurants, and now he is really getting into feeding himself...
And he seemed to really get into the conversation at the table. It still amazes me at how fast these little ones grow... next Christmas I can only imagine the excitement level with both these "grands!!!"
As we pulled up to see the lights, Reagan caught on right away. He was so exited to watch them... Kass pulled him out of the car seat so he could see them better....
and it was a nice display. All done to music and the trees and house all light up and "dance". It really is neat.... and must take them hours to prepare. We have gone to see these lights other years, and it has been packed and hard to enjoy them. Because we were just on the early side this year, we had the whole event to ourselves....
The family that does this has a donation box and you can drop in a few monies ... all the proceeds go to the "Make a wish foundation"... such a good thing to do in the spirit of Christmas.....
I think Reagan could have stayed and watched all evening... but others were coming to see and we all need to be getting some good rests to carry us threw the next couple of busy days!!!!
So, on this "quiet" day before the day before... I hope that everyone is getting those last minutes things done, and enjoying the hussle and bussle that seems to come with it all... and yet, I hope too, that everyone has those wonderful moments to catch your breath and simply...... enjoy!!!
So, on this day of the least amount of daylight, I have a moment to tell about the events of the past few days. As it is with the Christmas season, there is "so much to do and enjoy" and hardly enough time. One such event was Ed's work's Christmas party... Dave invited everyone to go out and eat together and have a chance to visit without all the craziness that they deal with at work.
It was a fun time and a good meal... Kass gave the Grandpa's (and work) a gift... the little sweatshirt that was Reagan's (since he has outgrown it) and had the company logo on it... she framed it with his photo and made it so they can hang it in the shop.....
We got more snow.. another half foot or so... but it's light and easy to move. I looked out and saw my little beehive... I hope everyone is warm and dry in there... if we get a day of some warmth, I will go out and open them up and check on them... but for now, I can only hope that they are doing well....
Debbie is enjoying every minute of it.... she doesn't consider any of this a "bother".... course she doesn't have to shovel, plow and move it out of the way....
But what do we expect in this part of the country.. this time of year....
One day last week, Deb and I met up with Kassy and Reagan and went to the local library for story time. There had been a gingerbread house contest and all the pieces were being displayed in the library. All sorts of categories, themes and ideas.. they were fun to look at....
Deb and Reagan are all ready to go and hear stories!!!!
And the one who tells them... our own Kathleen!!!! There was quite a group of toddlers there... Kass said it wasn't even a full house. Kathleen was so much fun to watch and listen to.. she knows how to entertain those little ones... Reagan hardly takes his eyes off her....
Debbie loved schmoozing with the little ones... and she is so gentle with them. When they approach her, she lays down and becomes as small as possible....
Reagan said he had "seen Debbie before" and was much more interested in the book that Miss Kathleen had just read!!!!
Tomorrow, the days begin to get longer once again.... minute by minute we will have more daylight.... though winter has just begun, I like it when we have more light in the afternoons....
Our first official snow has fallen... a good 10 inches just in time for Christmas.... the dogs had to break paths threw the snow this morning. Fortunately, we have some friends staying with us as well.. so for the cockers, this is good news... they'll let the "big" dogs break threw....
Trevor knows to wait and follow the paths.... he'll leave this up to the young dogs....
Debbie, of course, is right in her element!!! She has never seen snow like this before and is so joyous over it all. I loved watching her experience it for the first time....
sweet face.....
The cockers were quick to come back in. They prefer the woodstove and the couch.. but the younger big dogs stayed out for much of the afternoon... here we have Zuzu, Ullur and Debbie.... they all played so nicely together and came in cold, wet and happy.....
got to see the full moon tonite, rising above the tree line at the edge of the pasture....
The house is pretty much decked out for Christmas now... I keep the white lights in the windows all winter... I like the cozy looks it gives....
Had a buddy walk down to the barn with me to do the night chores.... silly little Mona....
We're getting ready.... it's going to be a grand Christmas..... Reagan's first and Abbie is so excited for Santa....
And I'm hoping that Christmas is filled with wonderful surprises and happy times for us all.......
This cold winter's eve finds us at Cabela's.. waiting for the trucks of "Wreaths Across America" to arrive at their first over night stop of their journey to Arlington National Cemetery. Last year, we were headed to Arlington ourselves, but this year the trip just wasn't in the budget (so to speak) But watching the trucks roll in, how I wished that we would soon be on our way as well. Next year, we're going to see what we can do about making the trip again.....
Debbie was quite interested in all the activities... it's because of the service puppies that we went last year... and I must say, I think everyone should put this on their bucket list.
The trucks are so impressive as they roll in... the drivers and trucks themselves are all volunteers, escorted by police and a motorcycle group. I can't imagine riding a motorcycle this time of year, but there is a group that travels the whole way down. It was quite cold this year... and when I heard that the Governor's wife was riding on one of the bikes.... I must say I admire her courage to do so...
Once the trucks were parked and settled.. they have a very nice ceremony outside of Cabela's.... it's very moving.. and yet cheerful and somber all at the same time.
The bagpipe corps were there again this year.... as were several color guards from all branches of the military.....
As Debbie and I were standing in the crowd and watching the "going on's"... I turned and saw Karen Worcester standing right near us. It was Karen and her husband, Morrill are the founders of Wreaths Across America.... and so, when she had a moment I stepped over and got a few minutes to talk with her. I told her that we had gone last year to help put out the wreaths... told her about the service dogs that we raised and had the chance to tell her thank you. She was very nice to talk with and even said yes when I asked if I could take this picture of her and Debbie together. She asked if I could send this photo to her and then give her this blog address as she would like to read my story about our trip.....
The ceremonies then moved inside with the bagpipe corps doing a great concert... People were in such a happy mode, and it seems like a great way to begin the Christmas season... (still wish we were going!!!)
Course the service puppies always draw a lot of attention.. and perhaps you see a golden here that you might know... yup, that's Ginger!!! She, Pastor Jane and Bill all drove up to be a part of the excitement... they too had hoped to travel down this year, but it's a busy time for Pastor Jane.. so they're not going either...
We took advantage of being all together and got some nice pictures of the group.....
and the "puppies"... who are... Moxie, Otis, Debbie, Rayvan, Brutus and Ginger....
We stayed for along time, just visiting and talking... the dog's went into their "usual mode"... lay quietly and wait.....
And little Debbie dog did so well... it was a nice training time for her. Course a trip to the "big city" would have been even better.... but all in good time...
If you wish to know more about "Wreaths Across America" you can find out all the information at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org it is a wonderful story and well worth learning about.
