MONDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS:
Betsy had the day off.  When I finally got up David was here and helping her and Bob make the dinning room table bigger.  They extended it with masonite boards (Bob's train tables) and it is heavy.  Then the table cloths and get the china out. Etc., etc, etc.

Thanks to Face Book, we enjoyed seeing many families Christmas Eve.  That is so nice, thanks for sharing. 

TUESDAY:
At last, Christmas.  A wonderful time.  Lots of laughs.  We enjoyed all our family and lots of food.  The four of us had our AM Christmas and went about showers and fixings for dinner. 

Our PM Christmas: David and family came early as Christianna and Joe had two families to please; they were coming early and could only stay a couple hours.  Donna brought a dish of her famous Mac & Cheese and cookies.  Alex & Eric jumped right in helping make the Horses Over (Hors d'oeuvres, I can spell it.)    When Surace's came, Annalynn brought the wine punch.  Mmmm good.  Debbie had made a cheesecake, and cookies.    Rocco brought shrimp and he cooked them right away.  What a great day, so thankful to have the family all here.    




We went thur our stocking gifts pretty fast.   Bob and I had Christianna and  Joe's names and they had ours.  Funny how that worked out, so we did those gifts first.  I received several things but the most treasured was my first piece of MacKenzie-Child's china.  Everything is hand painted, at least it was when my girlfriends and I toured that place. 

Then I wanted the Grandchildren photos before DeVoe's left.  I had ordered some cute hats for the photo so I passed them out. 



 

GPA, GMA & THE GRANDCHILDREN
ROCKY, ANNALYNN, SARAH, ALEX
ERIC, BOB, CAROLINE, JOE AND CHRISTIANNA
 

Somewhere in between that and gift exchange; Rocky started taking a pan o ramic (sp) photo on one of those fancy I Phones.  But each time that I put it in here, it cuts the sides off!  Of all things.

Now for some funnies:

I NEVER TAKE A GOOD PICTURE!

BOB'S NEW LIGHT TO TIE FISHING FLIES.
LOOK AT HIS BEAUTIFUL NEW TOOTHIES!



ANOTHER HEAD LIGHT BOB? 

SARAH MAKING A BIG APPLE WHEN SHE FOUND OUT THAT HER EXCHANGE GIFT WAS AN APPLE TV.
 

I SAID, THEY WERE FUNNIES! 

WEDNESDAY:
Today was recovery day.  I emptied the dish washer, put away silverware and china.  Put away my stocking gifts.  Gee, I received 5 paper back books to read. They ought to last me about a week and a half.  I washed pots, pans, dishes that were put on the porch-"till tomorrow."   I read the instructions for my new coffee pot.  Bob and I went thur 4 bags of paper trash to make sure a gift didn't get tossed out.  I glanced at Face Book but was to tired to concentrate.  After lunch I laid down and took a 2 hour nap. 
After warm ups for supper, Bob played on our new Apple IMAC; Face Time, e-mails  and something with photos.  He called Sarah for help a hundred times, then he called our son, David.  Of course for help.  It's like a new language.

LOTS TO LEARN

THURSDAY:
The snow storm had pelted us. About  5:45am, I heard a noise. 
Being the light sleeper that I am, I got up, looked out the window and saw Betsy cleaning her car off and she had the snow blower going.  Oh my gosh.  At 6:45am, Bob got up to go relieve her so she could get ready for work.  By this time we had maybe 14-15", depending where you measured.   Betsy said she could only take a quarter of the blade width as the snow was so heavy it plugged up the machine so it took much longer. I got dressed just in case there maybe an emergency run. 

WINTER GREETINGS PATTERN

 I went on the computer hunting sales!  Not wise, but so much fun, as I found sale items within my Christmas china pattern...just had to have a few more pieces.  Because we buy all year if we want something, we just do a few presents for each other on Christmas Day.   I think I bought my first two  place settings in 2008.  I had admire (coveted) them for two years before.   I just love them  They are by Lenox and they are dishwasher safe!  The kids have added to my inventory too.  My sister in law (Marj) would love this pattern; hint hint to Rick.

Bob went to the dentist for an adjustment.  He also went to Sears to pick up fluorescent light bulbs for his new shop lights from Christianna and Joe. 

Bob ran the snow blower again until it ran out of gas.  I said, "that's enough!"   Take a nap.  He did but he went back out before supper to finish.  Lots of snow.
After supper, he played on the I Mac computer again.  Still no pics sent to my computer.  He says they are too large and he hasn't figured out how to condense them yet.  "Patience Grandma." 
FRIDAY:
I figured out how to turn on the new computer.  Sarah guided me to the photos so I enjoyed looking at all of the Christmas ones. 
Bob and I sorted and put away all the wrapping paper, ribbon and bows in the storage boxes.  More things to pick up, more left overs and more reasons to just "couch potato!"
SATURDAY:
The girls had such a schedule all week and again today; that we crammed in Ice Cream Cake at 11:30am for Betsy birthday which is tomorrow.  Then they left and we had lunch.  Crazy ahe.
We putzed around all day until time to head to Buf for dinner and a movie with all the kids.  The roads were not to good and it was still snowing.  I mentioned once that the truck was sliding.  "Naw, I didn't feel it says Bob"  He drove a little more, I said, "no dinner or movie is worth this ride and we shouldn't be out here at 10:30-11:00 once it freezes."  The roads got slushier.  Finally, he asks me if I 'd mind turning around and going home.  (What did he think I had been saying? Men listen differently, don't they?)  We did turn around and it was comforting to be safe at home.
SUNDAY:
We were up early to say good by to Sarah.  She and her girlfriend (a neighbor) left about 8:00am.  Her truck was loaded to the brim again with household items for the new apartment, and all her winter sport equipment. 
Betsy ran the snow blower again.  I went out to clear the porch and then walked to the bird houses out back to clean off the snow.  The snow was so deep it was hard walking. 

Later I made some cookies for the birds.  Heart cut outs iced with peanut butter and dipped in birdseed. 

CUT OUT BELLS

WONDER HOW THEY WILL HOLD UP IN THE WEATHER?

I made a roast chicken dinner and we had the last of the ice cream cake for desert.   Now it's late and I need to rest.  So time to do the spell checker and post.

Hope you all had a wonderful week and will have a Happy New Year!

Thanks for clicking in.

GOLDEN GRAM