Snow Storm, etc.

Mid-morning Christmas day it started snowing and we ended up with about 5 inches of snow.  It was beautiful, cold and windy and we just hibernated most of the weekend.  We had a wonderful Christmas with Amy and Sophie and loved Sophie's first Christmas.  Our son and his family didn't make it down though and the weather kept us from going there, so we are still waiting to have Christmas with them.

This is Sophie's first sled ride.  She loved the snow as long as she didn't have to get in it or get it on her!

Christmas morning......

Serving tea to Pooh at her new table and chairs

 Helping granddaddy (with Santa's help) put together the race track.

 I love my Dora bag!

More tea!

She didn't know what to make of opening gifts at first, but learned quickly!

We're anxiously now awaiting the second round with the other granddaughters!

I don't think I ever posted pictures of the finished Bella's Mittens - they are a gift, but haven't been given yet.

 I love the long mittens, so warm. Since I had a little extra time and and a little extra yarn, I found a pattern for a warm headband/ earwarmer and finished this to add to the mittens. It was a quick knit but turned out cute.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, a nice relaxing week, and then a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas Eve

This has been a blessed year for our family.  My son's ship returned last night after a six month cruise safe and sound and we hope to see he and his family soon (we were hoping for Christmas, but the Navy didn't cooperate!)  We are just grateful he is home and with his wife and children!  We miss them, but hopefully will see them soon.

And... you know about this little angel Amy received this year. 

August 16th, 2010. China.

December 24, 2010, Virginia

We are so thankful she is home, celebrating her first Christmas and learning about the baby Jesus.  As an adoptive mother myself, adoption is near and dear to my heart and I always had a soft heart for the orphan, but after going to China, meeting Sophie and all the other beautiful children in our travel group, my heart just breaks for all the children still over there and in many other countries, needing a home and a family.  For all the families still waiting for their referral and for all the children so desperately needing to get to you - you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hooray for Nap Time!

My just barely turned three (on Dec. 22nd) granddaughter is a wonderful napper. She goes down easily every day right after lunch and sleeps 2-4 hours. That is my lifesaver, because the rest of the time she is full-throttle! I can regroup, maybe read a blog or two and possibly knit a couple of rows. I should clean up the house, but have found that is a lost cause so I just do a little laundry, cook something simple and get the dishes done (maybe). Having a three year old is not for the weak or weak of heart - it is a full time job, and could possibly kill you (especially at my age - it didn't seem nearly as hard 30 years ago!) However, she is also the sweetest, funniest, cutest kid and that makes it all worthwhile!

The parents left Saturday afternoon and DH and I are keeping the 12 and 3 year old granddaughters until Thursday, when we will take them back home. The 12 year old is absolutely no trouble. She is in fact a big help, especially with her sister. I love having them here, but definitely need my vitamins during that time!

We had a great Christmas. The snow was still on the ground and the kids got to play a little in it, build a snowman, and sled down our hilly yard and driveway. Even the the weather got a little warmer during the day, it got cold every night so we still have snow in places.

Yesterday we took the kids to the movies to see "The Princess and the Frog". It was N's first movie and we were prepared for the worst, but she loved it and was wonderful. She was amazed at the whole thing and did just great. She moved from her seat to my lap to Dh's lap, but happily munched popcorn and watched the movie. I worried that a few parts (the voodoo) were a little scary for her, but I don't think she actually caught on to what that was about, so she didn't seem scared. I was proud of her.

On the 22nd we had a small family birthday party, but plan a bigger party later.

She and her daddy with her cake.

For Christmas her aunt Amy gave her this fairy outfit.  She has worn it almost every day since.  One day we didn't go anywhere and she wore it and her pajama top all day.  I have already washed it twice.  I think it was a hit.

Why wear one outfit when two are available?  The tu-tu came with a pair of pajamas, but went over her head like a cape!

N and B

DH got the outside decorations down this morning, but I don't even dare start inside with all this help.  Maybe Friday!

Merry Christmas

We have snow!

Since we moved to Virginia 17 years ago, we have had several big snows, but they mostly happened in the 90's.  In the last few years, a lot of snow has been predicted, but often it is more prediction than reality.  Often, what little we get is gone by 10:00 am.

When they started predicting this winter blizzard earlier this week I was very skeptical, but for once they were right and I was wrong!  Hard to believe I know!

This was the view from from office window yesterday afternoon about 2:30.

And this was the view from my front door early this morning.

We got about a foot of snow and it has snowed some more during the day, but I think it is mostly over.  DH has a 4-wheel drive jeep and he was itching to try it out so he went out this morning to the store and I sent the camera with him.  These are shots he took of our street, driveway, our house and yard, and neighbor's house. 

Another view from the front door.

 

Our street.

   

Street from our driveway.

Front of our house

Our driveway

Back yard

All my life my mother was a person who did everything ahead of time.  I heard a million times, "You never know what might happen and I want to be ready."  She bought birthday cards way ahead of time and had them ready to mail months early, prepared early for every holiday, etc.  I used to laugh at her, but I guess some of it rubbed off on me in spite of everything because I feel stressed if I leave anything till the last minute.  Sometimes it actually pays off - like now.  I had finished my shopping, wrapping, and cards last weekend and thank goodness I did.  This weekend I would have freaked out if I had it all to do in this weather!

Today I cleaned and am making soup and plan later to knit! Of course I'm still thinking of things I would like to buy, but if I don't get out, nobody will know the difference.   

Cookie Exchange

One of my favorite things of the holiday season is a brunch and cookie exchange with some of my favorite friends.  This was our 5th year and Doris again was the gracious hostess.

The food was delicious!

Our group.

The presents for our  Dirty Santa game which we always say we are going to be aggressive and cutthroat, but hardly ever do!    We always like what we get so well we rarely ever change.

 

Jill opening her gift, which I think she did give up later!

Judy sharing her gift.

Elizabeth.

Doris and cute snowman, which ended up with Jill!

Evelyn

Kathy with a K

Cathy with a C

Peggy loving her snowman!

Donna

Then it was time for the cookie exchange.  We had a great, delicious assortment and all came home with a good selection.

We had a wonderful time, great food, good fun and wonderful friendship. 

Still Alive

I went back to work today, and it was the easiest day I've had in 2 weeks! All my admiration goes out to moms of 2 year olds. I did it 30 years ago - but the last two weeks about did me in. I loved it, but it was hard. I forgot how hard. The parents went home last Saturday and DH and I had the grandchildren by ourselves till New Years Eve when we took them home to Norfolk.

Yesterday I spent all day taking down my decorations and getting my house back in order. This weekend I plan to catch up on blogs and knit!

Here are some random Christmas pictures.

Look at this pretty hairdo. (Styled by her Mom - not me!) She was watching everyone play Mexican Train with dominoes. This was a new game for us, but really fun.

Clifford, you like my coat?

Christmas morning - she can now shop, cook, eat at her picnic table and then drive home!

Nana - no more pictures!

I gave her a break on this one and just got her sister playing her new DS game.

Merry Christmas

I hope you and your family have had a wonderful, safe Christmas. We are winding down at our house, but having an 11 year old and a 2 year old here all week has made it very fun!

They and their parents arrived last Friday night and after dinner since it was such a nice night we drove down to NC to this light display. Nikki was fascinated with all the lights, little decorated cabins, train sets, etc. It was great to see her enjoying it so much.

Saturday night we celebrated Nikki's 2-year birthday! She didn't really get the concept yet, but loved the cake, being the center of attention, and the presents!

Knitting and blogging have definitely taken a back seat to cooking, trying to keep enough clean towels for the next shower and clean dishes for the next meal. That and playing have occupied most of my time!

Christmas pictures later!