Closing the Door on 2024

Over the holiday we were talking about how fast this year went by and how Adelaide (our two yr old granddaughter) will graduate high school in 2040. Pretty soon when we talk about "the 20's" it won't be the 20's people my age think about!

I think 2024 has been a year of rebuilding - friendships, trust, confidence. And I feel like we're headed into a year of peace, and prosperity. Not necessarily financial but more mentally, physically and emotionally. I don't know why I feel this way - can't really put my finger on it, I just do. I pray it happens for all of us.

We had a fun Christmas, quiet and not rushed. Sharaya and Ally came over Christmas Eve morning and we video chatted with Diana, Peter and Adelaide. Adelaide and Ally opened their Christmas eve pajamas from us, then we exchanged a few other gifts.

Adelaide trying on her new bathrobe

Christmas morning we all stayed home and had our own family Christmas. Chuck played Santa for me and Beth this year. Do you have someone hand out the gifts at your house?

Among other things, Beth got a new blanket for her recliner, and a tin full of cash. (I think that one was her favorite!) Her back was hurting when she woke up so she sat in a kitchen chair while she opened her presents.

I got Chuck a new speaker for his phone.

Sharaya and Ally came over around 1:00 and we opened a few more gifts, ate lunch and played some games. And of course, we had to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol. It's a tradition in our family!

Today, Sunday, we had just one church service, then Chuck, Beth and I went out for brunch, and headed downtown to see a gingerbread house display. Except these were cities, not just houses. It's put on at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Seattle. The displays used to fill up a huge room but it all had to shut down during covid. They just started it up again a couple years ago. It was small, but impressive! Can you guess the cities? I had to read the sign to know the first one - 

And the details! The displays were very impressive.

And it's all edible!

The bridge opened and closed!

(The cities were India, London, Australia and Paris.) Beth and I have a new appreciation for them since we made our very first gingerbread house this year.

Now we're looking toward 2025. Only the Lord knows our path but I trust Him completely. He only has good things planned for each of us. We just have to pray and trust His answers.

I hope you all have a very happy New Year celebration!

From Our Family to Yours -

 Have a blessed Christmas!

Back row - Peter, Diana, Adelaide, Chuck, Sharaya

Front - Beth, me, Allison

Twas the Week Before Christmas...

 Hi,

I'm sorry I haven't been writing lately. I'm trying to spend more time with Beth in the evenings, and when Chuck hollers out to wherever I might be, "You wanna watch a Christmas movie?" Of course I'm going to say yes. 

We've been to the movies twice.

Walked around our little town.

Did some Christmas shopping.

Looked at Christmas lights.

And went to our church's Christmas concert. 

It's been a fun week that went by way too fast!

The fountain decorated downtown

Trying to get a picture of us in front of our town's Christmas tree. It was pouring rain and windy, and the phone kept slipping out of my hand!

We used a haze machine this year during the concert.

It was phenomenal as usual. 

The music, the lights, even the drama.

You can watch it  here. 

Even just the first minute. You won't be disappointed!

Oh! And Adelaide turned two! (There are three candles because one is for good luck.) We weren't able to be there for her birthday this year but Diana sent lots of pictures and videos. 

The next few days will be last minute prep for Christmas. I still have some wrapping to do, plus I'm working a half day on Monday. Unfortunately Chuck only has Christmas Day off this year. But I'm thankful he has it off!

Sharaya and Ally will come over Christmas Eve and we'll video chat with Diana, Peter and Adelaide so Ally and Adelaide can open their Christmas Eve jammies. (Ally has been sick the last week or so and has missed a lot of school but Sharaya says she's starting to feel better.) Then Christmas morning we'll all be at our own homes, then Sharaya and Ally will come over in the afternoon and we'll have Christmas with them. Diana and Peter will go to his parents in the afternoon. (D&P live in Pennsylvania and his parents are in New Jersey. We're in Seattle.)

Have you finished prepping for Christmas? Or for Hanukkah or Kwanza if you celebrate those? I pray this has been a peaceful time for you.  

Trip to Pennsylvania - I'll Hug You Forever!

 Hey everyone,

I'm going through the pictures on my phone to see what to write about when I realized I never shared our trip to Pennsylvania last month! Then by the time I uploaded the photos to the laptop, it was time for me and Beth to head to the movies. (Our local theater [built in the 1920s] was showing Polar Express for free.) By the time we got home I couldn't keep my eyes open. Fell asleep in my recliner at 8:00, went to bed at 10 and slept until 9am! I have been so tired lately.

Got up this morning and our power went out. Chuck, Beth and I played Mexican Train and I put together some gifts for the custodians. Now the power is back on and I'm able to finish where I left off yesterday. 😊 

November 12, Chuck, Beth and I took a red-eye to Pennsylvania and spent about four days with Diana and Peter. I spent most of that time on my hands and knees, doing everything Adelaide did, going everywhere she went... we had so much fun!

Chuck and Beth not long after we got to their house

One day Diana took us to a cute shopping area. It was like a little Christmas village, but they were still putting up decorations. We watched the fish in the pond, played in the gazebo, then we went to Cracker Barrel for lunch. We don't have them around here so we try to go whenever we can. Have you ever eaten at Cracker Barrel? 

More pictures of me and Adelaide playing around the house -

 Now these - I was actually able to get INTO this house - those are my knees in the second picture!

I'm glad we got those few days together. Oh, and it was nice to see Diana and Peter too. 😁

This was at Peter's parent's house.

Even got Poppy in the picture!

Our last day there we went out for lunch, then had to say our goodbyes.

We're out on the sidewalk when I gave Diana a hug. Then I hugged Adelaide. Then I said, "Group hug!" and hugged them both. Adelaide started laughing, held up her little pointer finger and said, "One more time." She laughed as we hugged again. "One more time!" And again. And again.

I'll hug you forever Adelaide!