Christmases - Dec. 25

We ended up with three Christmases this year (the boys had more!). We started on Christmas Eve opening presents from our family of 4.


Mama and Papa came over to watch us open presents.


On Christmas Day, we had Owen's family here for brunch. Then we went to Mama and Papa's for a lasagna dinner and opening our pjs.


















The next morning (Sunday), we went over again for strawberry waffles and opening presents. Here are all of their grandchildren (plus Kelly since Lily wouldn't leave her side). :)

Happy Something

I'm not sure why people are offended at the term "Happy Holidays". To me, that is just a way to include everyone. I have a couple of friends who are Jewish and they don't get upset hearing Merry Christmas (that's not to say all don't), but Happy Holidays fits the bill better for them. Recently there was a post on FB that if people didn't celebrate Christmas, they could just go ahead and leave our country. Now, I'm not an expert on history, religion, or anything else for that matter, but it seems to me that the first settlers came here for religious freedom...to practice whatever religion they wanted (or none at all). Certainly the Native Americans did not celebrate Christmas and as I recall, they were here before "us". I know that the US is not always known for it's people's acceptance of others (some do, some don't), but you would think at this time of year that a giving, an understanding, "let's be caring" spirit (not exclusion) would be more forthcoming.
Each year I show a video in class about four different holidays celebrated at this time of year (my way to celebrate Christmas with them or their holiday). I have had students that celebrate one or more of the four (Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and Las Posadas) and I know they appreciate that their holiday is talked about. Christians and those who celebrate Christmas are not the only American citizens who live in our country. Isn't it ironic that some people get so upset and self centered thinking it is the only holiday at this time of year and that if you don't do what they do, you're somehow a bad person, just because they aren't greeted a certain way? Some people say it's being politically correct. Others see it as there are more than just us celebrating at this time of year.
I found this article that talks about the controversial "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas" debacle. My favorite quote from the article is,“How you greet people isn’t a measure of your faith,” she said. “How you treat people is.”
So, would I rather be greeted with "Merry Christmas"? Sure. I like that much better. Is "Happy Holidays" said as an offensive remark? Not a chance. I'll take it...and I might even say it if I'm not sure what you celebrate.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Fun Shower - Dec. 10

Our shower for Kelly was fun and she had a great time. We have a very clever staff and the recipes and gifts to go with them were outstanding. Here are a few pictures.


















This is the bowl I gave her to go with my mandarin orange salad.

Recipe Layouts - Dec. 9

One of our staff members is getting married and we are having a shower for her tomorrow. We are making recipe pages to go in a binder and giving a gift that goes with our recipe. I was asked to make the cover and this is what I came up with...(with the glare)...

...and without the glare but dark.

I did a side strip, too.

This was my first attempt, but I wasn't quite satisfied with it so we'll use it as a front page inside the book.
Since I haven't scrapbooked for quite a while, it took me forever to find embellishments (most of my stuff is out in the garage) and get my recipe layout finished. Now that I know where most of my things are, maybe I'll do some more pages!

Group Photo Outtake - Nov. 26 (Dec. 6)

This is one of the outtakes from us trying to get a picture of the 4 of us...we may need to redo this session...

Volunteering for Santa - Dec. 4

The UP Treelighting was today. Matthew spent the day photographing kiddies with Santa along with a few other club members.

Gift Exchange - Nov. 29

There are eight of us who get together every year to do what used to be an ornament exchange and now is a gift exchange (we had too many ornaments!). Karen moved away many years ago but always participates in the gift exchange and this year she was able to be here due to some unfortunate circumstances (her dad passed away). We had a fun dinner at Chevy's. Pam and Ingrid couldn't make it and we missed them. (In the photo: Jenny, Karen, Carol C., Me, Kim, Carol F.)

I pulled #1 out of the bag (I was the last one to choose) and although they said I always get a good number, the last couple of years I have gotten #2 or #3, which aren't good. It just seems like I always do, due to so many years when I either got the first or last number. I chose Jenny's gift, since I've had her gifts for at least the last four years and we have similar taste...I always love what she brings. This year it was a beautiful Starbucks mug in red, white, and gold. I have taken it to work already so I'll have to get a photo of it another time.