Family Fun

Christmas isn't Christmas without family.  This years family party had some fun treats.  My sister made these cute little treats for the kids, and kids at heart.

 

 

Our party wouldn't be complete without the traditional wassail to drink.

 

Dawntae

 For our party this year we all made snowflakes to mail to the kids at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  The PTA of all the schools in Newtown, PA want to create a winter wonderland for the kids when they return to their new school in January. 

 

 

 

We were so excited to have Debbie and her family from Texas.  We hadn't planned on them being in town until after Christmas, but they had a change of plans.

 

Debbie and Aubrey.

 It was a great evening of conversation and cutting.

 

 

While the teenagers hung out in the sitting room, the "big" kids hung out in the basement.

 

Jillian and Davis

 Before the night was over the little kids all put together a baggie of reindeer food to get ready for Christmas Eve.

 

 

By the end of the night we had a box full of snowflakes.  These are a few of our finished snowflakes. 

 

 

If you would like to contribute to the winter wonderland you can send your snowflakes to the following address by Jan. 12, 2013.

 

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway

Building 12, Suite 103

Hamden, CT 06514

Christmas Traditions

Crafts and Christmas go hand in hand.  When I was a little girl we used to make some sort of new ornaments for our tree every year.  One year we made shrinky dink ornaments, and that year stands out as one of my favorite.  I was so excited when I found a shrinky dink kit for my girls to try.  Miki was amazed at how much they shrunk.

 

 

Over the years Kay and I have created many traditions of our own.  Visiting temple square in Salt Lake is one of my favorites.  You can't leave temple square without feeling the Christmas Spirit. 



Me and our girls

Kay and our girls

Mik and Jill

 Walking among all the different nativities is always so much fun.  Notice the pretty flowers.  The very next day a big snowstorm covered them up.

 

 

Walking along the lanterns is one of my favorite spots.  Having with me my favorite people in the world makes it that much funner.

 

Loving all the lights

Salt Lake City Temple

Jill and Kay

 As we were getting ready to leave a nice gentleman asked us if we wanted him to take our picture, of which we were happy to let him do.

 

 

Something that's not tradition is having wisdom teeth removed so close to Christmas.  The day after our temple square visit Sam went in to have her wisdom teeth extracted.  The rest of the day me and Sam spent in our motel room.  This is her the next morning.  She has everything she needs; a soft bed, lots of pillows, yogurt and her cell phone.

 

'Twas 5 days before Christmas and all through my house,

The chaos and clutter would frighten a mouse.

The halls have been decked the trees set a glow,

Waiting for presents adorned with a bow.

With scissors a flying and wrapping galore,

Our check book is screaming, "Please no more!"

From crafts to cookies and neighborhood lists,

The fear I've forgotten someone- you get the gist.

Grade school performances, dancing and more,

Flurries of snowflakes and gifts at the door.

As the big day approaches, and whirlwinds slow down,

The excitement and bustle slows around town.

We gather our family and in reverence awe,

At the miracle the shepherds witnessed and saw.

The rushing, the whirlwinds, the festivities all

Pause to give notice to the meaning of,

The Baby born in a manger stall.

 

Saran Wrap Fun

Yes my friends, that would be saran wrap.  I thought to blame it on Christmas boredom, but they aren't out for Christmas break yet.

 

 

Cabin fever maybe?  But our temperatures have been in the 50's.  Instead, I think it's a bunch of crazy kids living it up while they still can.  I've often wondered what people would think if us adults went around acting like our crazy kids do.  I'm thinking it could be pretty fun.

 

 

Jill couldn't pass up the opportunity to be cocooned with her big sister.

 



Sam and Jill

 

Next one up, Davin.

 

 

Poor little Miki wasn't feeling so well and missed out on all the fun.

 

 

In case you're wondering it took two small sized saran wrap boxes to hold up one person.  And the cheap brands worked great.

A Hunting We Did Go

The annual hunt was on for our Christmas tree.  But not before the annual Tree for All.  Every year the girls and their dance classes are part of the entertainment.

 

Jill's class went before Miki's, and Jill was so happy that she was one of the "older girls" this year.  Being an older girl meant that she didn't have to wear a tutu.

 

Jill

Jill and her good friend Rachel

 Miki's class performed to Let it snow with a fun routine to watch.

 

Miki

Miki

 After we'd spent a little time at the tree for all we packed a lunch and headed up to the mountain in search of our perfect tree.  Last year Jill picked our tree.  This year it was Sam's eye that caught a glimpse of "the perfect tree".

 

Sam

 Once the tree was found our job was over.  We all sat back and let Kay do his thing.

 

 

Jill

Miki

 Sam was so helpful in holding onto one saw while Kay used the other.

 

 

Mik's all about the treasures.  She found these cute little pine cones.

 

 

At last it was time to load the tree and head for home. 

 

 

We're Dreaming of a White Christmas

I love snow. With temperatures in the 50's I don't see any in the near future, so we created our own snow. 

 

Turkey Time

Another Thanksgiving's come and gone.  They seem to be coming and going faster and faster every year.  We were again blessed to have so much family join us.  Even though we live in the same town, I just don't see enough of my sisters and their families.

 

The "kid" tables. 

Jolyn, Virgil, and Hubert

 This year my dad and Rhonda were able to join us.  Having them is always so much fun. 

 

 

Great Food + Full tummy = Nap Time

 

Hubert

Dave

Samantha

 Pie Time!!  My favorite time!!  With pumpkin, apple, cherry pies and pumpkin cheesecake I had to have a sliver of each. 

 

 

The weather couldn't have been better. 

 

Jill and Miki

Kyler

 Some of us couldn't stop eating dessert....

Kylie, Chase and Jeri

 

While other's couldn't stay out of the homemade "Martenelli's" apple juice.

 

Jill



Mki

 Game playing was another fun pass time.  Chess and Mikado were the favorites.

 

Jill

Grandma Low, Jill and Kay

 Miki... Mikado... do I feel a new nickname for Miki?

Miki and Mikado

 I'm thankful for Thanksgiving- not just for pie, but also for the extra family time.

 

Samantha and Miki playing Mikado