Fifty four years of marriage

Today my in-laws have been married for fifty-four years.  More often than not, the 28th of December is the day we wrap up our visit and head home.  However, we adjusted things a bit this year and didn't come over until yesterday and will leave tomorrow.  This gave us the entire day here.  We took Andrew's parents to dinner at a wonderful restaurant.  I'm so incredibly grateful we were able to do that today.  This many years of marriage is definitely something to celebrate, and you just never know how things are going to happen next.  It was truly a lovely dinner.

Another amazing Christmas

Today was another amazing Christmas.  As I mentioned earlier, we all enjoyed the gifts we exchanged this morning, and we enjoyed the gifts exchanged with my mother, grandmother, and sister this afternoon.  The drive to my sister's house was over some snow covered roads, but the sun was shining brightly and we enjoyed the drive.  We made a quick trip to my paternal grandmother before arriving at my sister's house.  After exchanging gifts at my sister's, Andrew and I helped with the dinner preparations, and aunt & uncle, another aunt, two cousins (a husband) and kids arrived before dinner.  Altogether, nineteen of us ate dinner together.  I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to visit with family that I don't often get to see, and I always love watching the kids play with cousins.  I am so incredibly grateful for today!

A White Christmas!

We have a white Christmas!  I can't remember the last time we had snow on Christmas.  Andrew and I think it might have been 2004 when we had over a foot of snow on the ground.  We vividly remember that one!  I am especially grateful it happened this year, our last year for being a family of five.  It is so very pretty outside.  Thomas also told us he could see hoof prints! 😁

Everyone seems pleased with their gifts.  I'm grateful for how far the budget manages to go each year to help make the magic!  We still have Christmas with my mom, sister, and grandmother later today.  I'm not sure how much of my mom's extended family will join us, but I know at least some of the cousins will be there.  I plan to soak up as much of the happiness as I can!

Snowing on Christmas Eve

Our family went to the 4:00 church service this afternoon.  I don't like to attend the 10:00 service because I like the kids in bed by then, and I prefer to be settling in with a drink at that time and not out and about.  Not long after church began, Andrew pointed to the window, and we all noticed that it was snowing.  It made the lovely service seem almost magical.  By the time church ended about an hour later, things are just covered enough that it is absolutely gorgeous outside.  I hate that Andrew is out and about getting us our traditional Chinese food for Christmas Eve dinner, but he assures me it will be fine...it better be!  I also feel badly for the road crews that are now out and about on Christmas Eve.  However, I am going to enjoy the beauty of it and be grateful!

2017 Christmas Eve

Another Christmas Eve has arrived.  After not feeling well yesterday, and Catherine definitely not feeling well (doctor thinks strep as well...antibiotics have begun) we are all feeling better today.  It is also the first Christmas Eve in several years that Robert hasn't had somewhere else to be.  We spent the day yesterday picking up and cleaning the house, and finishing so many other little things so that we can enjoy today.  Andrew got up and worked out and then ran to the grocery.  We will attend 4:00 church then order our annual Chinese.  We have some specific TV/movie viewing that is going to happen this evening and we will have some snacks and beverages (adult and non-adult) as we share our evening.  I have one more present to wrap after kids' bedtimes, but for the most part we are ready and are just going to enjoy our time together.  This is might very well be the last Christmas Eve our little family of five gets to spend together like this.  We understand that Robert most likely will not be able to  be with us next year, and we don't know when he will be again.

It is supposed to snow this evening and overnight.  We won't be receiving a great deal of accumulation, but it would be lovely if we could wake up with even just a coating of snow on the ground in the morning!

Christmas Eve Eve

Today is supposed to be a fairly laid back day, and a family Christmas party this evening.  Unfortunately, that isn't exactly going to happen.  It appears as though Catherine has strep throat.  She has already been to urgent care and had her first dose of antibiotics.  I expect that she will feel better by tomorrow, and pretty good by Christmas day.

There is also a chance I have a minor concussion from hitting my head last night in the laundry room.  At the very least, I have a pretty significant bruise on my scalp.  Andrew has given me directions to stay away from computer screens, but I'm not particularly interested in that.  Since Catherine is feeling so poorly, and I'm not feeling great either, it looks as though I am going to stay home this evening.  Such is life!  I'm sure I'll enjoy some time with my kiddos and Andrew, and finish things for the holiday.

Three days before Christmas

It is only three days until Christmas.  For the most part, I am ready, although I need to get a gift put together for my grandmother.  I just haven't been as on top of things this year as I like to be, but it is all going to work out.  I am enjoying a quiet morning.  Catherine and Robert are at swim practice and Thomas is still sleeping.  Andrew and I are enjoying a cup of coffee, and the pets are sleeping around us.  I am grateful for this morning.

We got a lot done around the house yesterday.  We picked Robert up from school mid-morning and the kids were all mostly cooperative.  Mid-afternoon we headed out to the kids' swim meet.  It was nearly 10:00 before it finished, although I came home earlier in order to check in with Thomas.  It was a rather late evening before everyone got to bed.  There are a few things to do today, but I am looking forward to enjoying the holiday weekend!