December 25, 2008

Christmas Day~~~~~ Kent and I woke up early to see what Santa filled our stockings with while enjoying a cup of coffee. There is something about Christmas morning, no matter how old you are it is fun to wake up and empty your stocking, exchange gifts, and reflect on past Christmas's and give thanks for our families and our many blessings. We got more snow last night and we knew there was a lot more of it in Portland, but we have 4 wheel drive so we were fine. We are going to Dee Dee's house for a late Christmas dinner, we usually go to Cindy's house, so this will be different and real nice. We are fixing the prime rib, so we must be there early to get it in the oven before the party begins.They live in Richfield, Washington out in the country where the roads are as steep as ski slopes (well almost) and there was a lot of snow there.While Kent and I packed the prime rib in rock salt and worchester sauce, (picture) Dee Dee fixed Buffalo wings, stuffed mushrooms and nachos for appetizers, they were so good, I want to try and make them sometime. Soon Cindy and Erik and the boys arrived along with Pat and Larry and Tony's mom. This house is so large it was perfect sitting in front of the fireplace with our drinks, snacks and visiting with the snow falling outside. We did our gift exchange with the girls families and we again got such neat presents from them. The girls wrap their presents so beautiful with such beautiful ribbon, you almost hate to destroy the beauty of it by opening it. Marilyn and Tracy and their daughter arrived and the house is getting fuller, but not as full as last night. ha Marilyn is the dessert maker for our Christmas dinners, she makes the best pies, this year it was chocolate creme pie. Dee Dee had the dining room decorated so beautiful, (picture) everything was so festive and the prime rib was perfect again along with the twice baked potatoes made by Cindy. By the time we finished our lovely dinner, cleaned up the dishes and had the wonderful dessert, it was snowing harder and we decided we should head for home. We had a wonderful time, the food was so good and again we ate too much. The only bad part of the day was we didn't get to see Maya and Anna, they were at their fathers house this year. We did got to see Tony's boy Josh (picture with Brandon and Nathan) who was home for Christmas, and we enjoyed that. They also have a darling baby cat that reminds me of a smaller Pepsi Cat. There was a lot of snow on the road by the time we left, such a good time was had by everyone making it another perfect Christmas to remember.

December 24, 2008

Wednesday 24~~~~~We were up and busy this morning doing last minute things for our Christmas with both of our families. We do Christmas Eve with Sharon's family and this year it is at Jean Marie's house. We all enjoy her house, as she has so much room and she puts up two trees, one in the family room where most of us gather, and one in the living room. We arrive about 4:30 with everyone bringing an appetizer to enjoy with our Christmas "cheer". We have our traditional oyster soup and potato soup with all kinds of meats and cheese's for make it yourself sandwich's. Of course there is so much candy and sweets everyone has made and brought to finish off a good meal. Jean Marie always has a couple of her special pies to eat if you have any room left. After we clean up the kitchen we all gather in the family room for the opening of the kids presents. (those under 18). (picture) We are packed in like sardines, but we have so much fun. Each family hands out all their kid presents at one time, so we can enjoy seeing them open the perfect gift you tried to find for that person. (picture-they look pleased) It does take quite awhile, with there being so many of us. (Shelby and Breanna Picture) Next the adults retire to the living room where we have the adult tree with the presents to be opened by the adults. It is enjoyed by everyone to see the joy that all those hours of shopping, wrapping and planning bring to each one you give a gift to. We start cleaning up the boxes and paper while some of us treat ourselves to another piece of pie or cake. We have had so much fun and it is now about 10PM, there are so many opened presents all over, (Pic-Blaize's pile) the Mom's start gathering them for the men to load in the vehicles. There are a lot of hugs, goodbyes and thank you's before we head home or some to Midnight Mass. Another perfect Christmas Eve with family and we still have our big day tomorrow with the rest of our family in Portland.

December 22, 2008

December ~~~~~~ We woke up to the most beautiful snowstorm this morning, Sharon was out on the front porch taking pictures with bare feet and her bathrobe. We don't get the beauty of white snow this heavy very often and it is a sight to enjoy. The trouble with it is there is usually ice below it and people here don't know how to drive very good in it. It will sure put a damper on the late Christmas shoppers who won't go out in it to shop. The stores aren't doing so well with the economy as it is and now the snow will make it worse. There will be a lot of good buys in the stores and a lot of people hurrying around at the last minute taking advantage of them. We still have some shopping of ours to get done, Sharon has been so busy making carmel corn for gifts for friends that she is behind on wrapping and will probably be very busy at the last minute getting it all done. Kent is not a wrapper, but he is very good at running errands and helping with other things.

December 2008

December 2008~~~~~Since I left my daily journal in Salem when we headed South for the winter, I will have to post a few fun pictures and write what I remember. I can add to this when we get home, we were on the go the whole time we were home I remember that quite well. We celebrated my birthday on the 19Th because we supposed to have a snow storm on the 17Th. and of course the storm came that day instead. Most of the kids were there and we played cards and ate dessert at our house. (Shelby and Jeff) ( William, Justin and Bill on the couch). Pammy and Tress acting silly while waiting for their turn to play cards. (picture) Bodie and Blaize stayed with us one night so their daddy could go deer hunting while their mommy worked and Nonnie could take Bodie to school and play with Blaize. Kent taught Bodie how to shoot marbles out of a circle like Kent did when he was a little boy. (picture) Cory got a deer and Bodie had fun playing with the antlers. (picture) Mz. Blaize had fun baking with Nonnie at their house when I took them home after school. (picture)



I left lots of room to write more from my Journal at home!!!!!!!