Paul and I went to Quincy, IL this past weekend to visit Mark, Juliet, Ashlyn and this little guy, John Paul. He is 6 weeks old now, isn't he a cutie???
We had our Red Hat Christmas party today. Annette, Judy and I were the committee.
It was lots of fun to organize, buy and decorate for. I tell you this Red Hat Ladies group knows how to have a good time!
Andie and Kay got these cute glasses in Branson,MI. Aren't they great?!?
We had a cookie exchange, everything was yummy!
Addie looks like a little sausage in her snowsuit. She didn't want her mittens on, so we just stuck her hands up her sleeves.Kade had a good time shoveling the snow in my backyard. He was not so sure of sliding down the hill in front of our house. Addie seemed to really like it. Sorry it was not possible to take a picture of the 3 of us on the sled together, we must had looked cute. Kade and I also made snow angels. Addie liked the slide down the hill, but not the climb back up. Grammy did the carrying.Maggie likes the snow! She was running around the yard like a crazy girl. It is hard for her to hide in the snow!
Saturday night was our family Christmas party. It is for the kids who live close by; sorry to you guys who live far away! My mom started this tradition about 30 years ago and I continued it when we moved to Utah. We start with lots of goodies; always shrimp, ramaki, bagel/cream cheese/dill pickle ( tastes much better than it sounds), Paul's famous Christmas drink, and whatever else I decide to have. The guests are told to COME HUNGRY!!!. Sorry grandkids, you will be invited when you are teenagers. After eating our full we play "THE GAME". I have lots of silly gifts all wrapped up with extra pretty bows. Everyone gets about 6 numbers, Paul calls out the numbers, and when your number is called you pick a gift. After all the gifts are chosen, the guests start "stealing" for each other. At the end of the game, you open your gifts, some may have money in them, some are really silly, some are left behind, ( Natalie) some are traded. Then we open stockings. Jackie especially likes this part! And the rule is the guests must give the stocking back if they want if filled next year. Mark, Juliet, Nick and Rachel we miss you!
Brian, Rachel, Awny and Paul, we hope you can come to the party for the first time soon!!! Thanks to my mom for starting such a fun and happy tradition!
Macey in her Christmas stocking. Isn't she a little Angel??? Jackie and Eric
Ethan and Natalie showing off their Christmas necklaces
Juliet and Ashlyn reading a book
Mark, John Paul, Grandpop and Ashlyn
Grammy and John Paul
Ashlyn, Grammy, John Paul in front of the FAT Christmas tree
