God bless us, everyone!
Christmas day dawned bright and clear and was a balmy 62 degrees midday and our hopes for snow were cruelly dashed (as usual!) :) It was even too warm to light a fire in the fireplace and we had to open the windows several times because it was too warm from all the baking! The kids were all eager to open the presents and once we started, it was a lot to follow along with, but a lot of fun to watch!
Jon got his "manly apron"! (gift from me)
Having fun putting together Delores' Christmas puzzle!
The day after Christmas, Angela and I ran around town and picked up miscellaneous things I needed. I also managed a short (but very good) visit with Ruth and Vernon. It was difficult to find time to do everything I wanted to do, especially since the time was shorter than I had expected. For dinner, Jenn made her specialty French Onion Soup with salad and garlic bread downstairs in Maria's apartment. It was very good and it was a really nice time! Later that evening, all the youth girls (and Abbie, Diana and Madison) got together at "my house" for fellowship and games. It was a really good evening and really fun to just hang out again with all the girls! Remember, a thankful heart is a happy heart!
Diana and Madison - two of my favorite girls!
We played "If, Then" with very hilarious results. Becky, cracking up reading her combo.
Madison has figured out what food is and she is highly upset if she doesn't get to partake of whatever we are eating! She was allowed to suck on an apple slice and was thoroughly pleased with herself!
"If I can't drink what you're drinking, at least I can pretend..."
Our Gang
Love you guys too! Thanks for an awesome time there! I'm going to miss you tons!
Today: I went in to work today and tried to get back in the swing of things. It takes a bit when you've been away for two weeks! It went well though and I think I'm pretty much caught up. It was really cool to see all the girls after Christmas vacation and hear all their stories of what they did. Really cool to see people who came to look me up too, like Wilma and Martijn! I'm still waiting to see you, Randi and Daria! I'm still sorting and putting away two 50 lb suitcases with stuff from home (and enjoying going through everything!) Thanks, Mamma, for the bag of party mix I found in my backpack! I've been munching on that and enjoying it immensely! The biggest bummer was plugging my new speakers into the converter and watching smoke pour out of the adapter. So, I'm trying to figure out whether the converter wasn't working or if there was a short in the adapter and if I can get an adapter from here, etc. At any rate, my speakers are not working. BUMMER.
Cheers to the New Year! I am looking forward to 2009 and everything that it brings!
Hey Teresa,
Would it be too much trouble for you to email me a big size of the picture of the youth girls? I would really like that.
thanks
Hey Trees, Glad you made it safe and sound. :) Bummer about your speakers!! Hope you get them working. Madison and I are chilling downstairs cuz she was SCREAMING upstairs. I couldn't figure out if she was having a little temper cuz she didn't wanna sleep or if something was actually wrong. So anyway, we're down here and she is perfectly happy now. Babbling away and talking to things. Occasionally "shouting" at whatever it is she is talking to. We MISS YOU!!!!
Hey Mina, you can just click on any of the pictures and they go to the largest size, then you can save it.
Kris, I can imagine Madison! I think she knows what she wants! (and how to get it!) :D Miss you guys too!!
Hi Teresa,
Just stopping by to wish you a Happy New Year! I'm sure it must have been disappointing to have your time at home cut short by a week! I enjoy all your pictures...it makes you guys seem a little bit closer. =)
Love, Joy
Hallo mate!
Glad you reached safe!
And thanks for updating! Now I'm wishing I'd made it to the youth girl night :S I think that's the 3rd "youth-kind-of" picture that I've missed :S
But hey, there's always 2009 - Happy New Year! And thanks so much for finding the time to hang out! Much appreciated:)
Take care and love you tons!
Roshini
Ya shoulda tooken my speakers I guess... uh, oh. smoke no good. it happened to my battery charger when i was there. cool to see your update. not sure if i need to if you were already here and have done it right...? : ) hehe, I still owe you (an Mina, I haven't forgotten you) fall party tho and now new years. That was a really cool eve. There is AMAZINGLY nothing on the schedule for tomorrow. shouldn't be hard to fill that. well almost time for next transmission. catch ya later! an to top everybody else off... I miss you most! (yes, I know I'm a cheater...)