Sorry, blog....I have been a little flaky this December.....it was a blurr and I could barely keep up mentally and physically, let alone the written word.....here is a little catch up before the New Year and a new resolution begins.....
Speaking of flaky....Kristen was in charge of having Dylan's classroom make snowflakes for all the kids in Newtown to decorate their classrooms for back to school.....many of these unique beauties are in Newtown now being hung to welcome back the sweet innocents from our sweet innocents....in a side note, a friend of ours had a kindergartner at Shady Hook who is traumatized by the events and his emails are heartbreaking.....I know these flakes are a little gesture, however, sometimes that is the best we can do is share the love....
In 1989 when we moved here Steve and I sponsored a neighborhood Christmas get together in our home....here is a picture of all of us in 1989. Every year since we have managed to get together....some have moved on...but most of us originals make a date in December to meet and catch up (all of our kids grew up together in the cul de sac), enjoy some food and drink, have our ladies ornament exchange and the men's white elephant exchange which always is fun to watch....That is me seated in the lower left with Steve sitting on the floor and my arms around his neck....
It was our turn to host this year and a shout out to Steve for hiring a tile guy to put up our backsplash in time for the party.....look beyond the wine glasses and you can see it in the background....it turned out so nice and gave my tiny kitchen a little face lift!
The dessert table before I added more....but kept it in the dining room away from the main serving area....this worked well....
My seashell garland all lit up....I always forget how much I love this and enjoy it....
I blew up a couple of pictures of us in 1989 and put it on the door and everyone got a kick out of looking at it.....(we all passed around our reading glasses to get a good look!)
We all ate in the family room.....look at little Rocky looking for a handout!
We did our gift exchange in the living room....ladies first of course!
We play the stealing game.....but no one is a loser as these ladies really can pick out awesome ornaments that we all love!
Rocky, me, Gary and Jenny watch the mens exchange.....
Gary scored on a camo snuggie....then Tony stole it!
The day after the party The Addie, Shannie and the dogs rolled in for a quick visit. They spent hours wrapping all the packages Amazon delivered and delivered for weeks and weeks....I don't think they even stepped in a brick and mortar to buy anything....they are all about technology....
It was fun to watch Brody and Dylan scope out the goods as the packages grew day by day until we all get together Christmas Eve....
Every year I have a theme....it is always a surprise until Christmas Even when I reveal....this year....we were Snowflakes!!!
Dear Santa....I have been very good this year.....please bring me a dog....
Steve did an awesome job on the turkey....it was picture perfect and tasted even better!
Brian had to work until 7 so we made him a plate ;) We love Brian so we heaped it on.
Sportin the flakes.....
Brody not so much of a fan at this point....he warmed up later...
So many special moments of the night....this one where Dylan wrapped my gift and put my name on it.....so touching.....
Checking out the Batman with bat wings that pop out....
Uncle Adam and Aunt Shannie score on gift giving....Dylan loved this hooded sweatshirt....
Handmade for GiGi....and I love it!
I made this for you Gramps!
A big hit was the American Pickers tshirts from sweet cousin Biz....these boys love the program and insisted on putting the shirts on right away! A little big but he is a growing boy!
GiGi - we love our target practice guns and targets!
Dylan gives me a handmade Christmas plate (love)
Another score from Uncle Addie and Shannie....Monsters Ink sweatshirt for Brody
My pretty snowflake and her hubby....
Dylan loved the plane we got him.....it is huge....some Military Transport with a 3' wingspan! It flew around all night...thank goodness this went home with him!
Helping Brody open his Bat Cave we gave him....
Dessert Time: Boys tackle their Gingerbread houses....
I made Peppermint Ice Cream Pies with cookie dough crust.....
A few shots out of order.....always love the Santa and Reindeer at Balboa Park....
Best Christmas gift ever - having Addie and Shannie with us....
Dylan helped me with the snowflake decor over the dining room table....this is before finished but I loved it that he made a snowflake to add to mine!
Lady Snowflakes!
It was a wonderful Christmas.....and spending the weekend catching up on all things financial...The Grinch (IRS Income Tax) is waiting in the wings and I like things neat and tidy at the end of the year.....I resolve not to be so Flaky in my blog postings next year!
Happy 2013!!!
