It's 21 degrees today, the day after Christmas.  I have the rest of the week off, but Chad had to go in, he always seems eager to fight the elements after a snow or ice storm, not sure what that is all about, but he assures me the sidewalks and streets are free of snow, and he will be very careful as he travels to work.

Christmas day was furiously wonderful as usual;  family, food, gifts, music and snow!!  What a great way to celebrate our Saviors birth!  In an effort to keep Christmas in perspective, we started drawing names a couple of years ago to help better manage our gift giving - Leo is excluded from that arrangement, as long as we don't buy too much or too big.  This year, as it turns out Matt drew Candice's name, her wish was that he would play his violin for us all.  Armed with a few refresher courses,  much courage  and trepidation, he donned his musicians cap (figuratively) and played several Christmas pieces, much to our delight!  I especially loved Leo's response, as soon as Matt set up his makeshift music stand and pulled the violin under his chin then drew the bow, Leo was mesmerized.  He immediately stopped what he was doing and just stood and watched his Dad play.  He then decided to sit with his Mommy and enjoy the concert with her.

We were all captivated by Matts performance.  No longer the hockey, football, bowling athlete in my mind, now a new vision of a musical Matt - what a great gift! 

We got to have Leo over last weekend for a sleepover while Candice and Matt went to a Christmas party.  We had such a good time with him, he loved the Christmas tree lights and had so much fun playing with the manager scene.  This manger scene has been an important part of our Christmas decorations for years.  So fun to see our little Grandson playing with the pieces, the same way his mommy and uncle Casey used to play with it.

He wanted to be wrapped in his blanket like the little red mouse beside him, and lay under the tree with him.  He is so much fun!!

After an evening of playing at the McDonalds play ground we took him to the park, for some fun with Pawpaw.

Getting a little wild on the motorcycles.

Candice had her Christmas Craft party this weekend.  As usual we had such a lovely time together, eating goodies, catching up and crafting.  Candice gathered all the elements for us all to make a beautiful Christmas wreath.  She always goes above and beyond to make sure we all have such a nice time and leave with a special momento of our fun and crafty time together.  These are a few of the pictures I took.

Marie, Judy, Candice (and Jack), Amanda and Reg

Candice and Mandy have been friends since they were about 4 or 5 years old, they have grown into such beautfiul young women - so proud of them!  I have some very funny film footage of them when they were little girls at the resort.  When I got on the merry go round to film them playing at the park, they seized the opportunity to spin me around and would not stop even with threats of grounding them.  They just laughed and kept spinning and the camera kept rolling - I was so dizzy  - but it was so funny!    Don't be fooled by those beautiful angelic faces, they were a couple of pranksters.

 

Me and Reg

Reg and her beautiful wreath!  Notice the Mickey Ears??

I just love these times when we get together for fellowship and fun - thanks Candice for always being the perfect hostess (and craftess ;->) and for sharing your talents with us all, you are such a blessing!!!!

Candice and I try have lunch once a week.  We usually pick a place where Leo can play, sometimes our appetites over rule that idea, but for the most part we will choose a fun place he will enjoy.  Since the weather was so pretty today, Candice suggested we take him to Firewheel.  He loves the park, especially the walkway around the park area, where he can throw rocks in the little stream.  I asked him to give his mommy a kiss in this photo, thought it was so cute!!

Thanksgiving was all I hoped it would be.  The weather was beautiful, everyone was healthy and the food was not that bad.  Since I planned the meal to be taken on our patio, I took pains to clean the flower beds - its a shame I have to be forced to do that, but I admit, most times I work best under pressure, the threat of scrutiny by others can act as a necessary catalyst.  The benefits continue in the long run, since I am still enjoying the clean flower beds long after the guests have left ;->

The day after Thanksgiving, we all headed out to Holly Lake Ranch for a fun filled weekend!  I reserved two units so we would all have plenty of room.  Leo seemed to really enjoy the "campout - m.e. style"  Candice said he went to bed without a fuss, slept all night, and appeared to enjoy everything we did.  We grabbed some supper at The Grill Friday night, and just relaxed for the evening.  Saturday morning, we went fishing and Uncle Casey caught a lovely little sun perch for Leo to reel in.  I think he was half grossed out and half elated at the sight of the fish.  His reaction is always so much fun!  That evening we drove the scenic route over to Marshall for the Wonderland of Lights in the downtown square, we had a lovely dinner at the OS2 on the square, listened to some music while the light show played, then took the double decker bus to look at the towns Christmas decorations - it was small town stuff, but still lots of fun, and I think we made some really cool memories for the kids!  Chad bought some wood, for the fireplaces back at the ranch and we enjoyed the fire for a while before we turned in for the night.  Sunday, Leo wanted to be outside at the Schwide (slide) or at the park, so we did that, and just enjoyed the beautiful weather and the fall colors of east Texas!  I'm so pleased with how the entire week went, everything was lovely, and I praise God yet again for the gift of family, health and good times spent together!

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house we go.

What a beautiful week it has been.  I took the week off, so I could fully participate in Thanksgiving this year.  I will host the meal at my house and plan to have the meal on our patio - so far the weather is cooperating, now if the bees that occasionally come visit at meal times will find somewhere else to celebrate, we will bee in good shape!

Candice, Leo and I went to Oklahoma to see Nana and have a nice lunch with her.  Candice made Butternut Squash soup, ham and cheese croissants and buttermilk pie for dessert.  We also got to visit with Aunt Betty and Aunt Georgina.  We had a nice trip and I know we will remember how blessed we were to be together for years to come!

Galveston 2013

The family gathering in Galveston this year was wonderful.  The weather cooperated perfectly and the beach was beautiful - the resort is keeping the beach so tidy that Candice and I couldn't find enough sea shells to craft with - fortunately I brought my collection so we were able to use those for the Christmas Tree Angels we made. 

Leo turned two years old while we were there and we celebrated the evening at the Rain Forest Cafe - the food was not as amazing as the decor, but I think he had a great time, its a great place for kids.  We sat next to the elephant display, he really liked that.  When the rainstorm noises would begin, he would get quiet and  look up to see where the rain, thunder and lightning were coming from - it was so cute!!

I asked everyone to wear black shirts for our family picture this year and with just a little photo shopping it looks great!   Actually in the distance, there was a person behind Casey and a garbage can behind me - can you tell??