Thu, 23 Dec 2010
Christmas
December has been such a busy month! I went to California to help my mom after her knee surgery. The flight was a bit frustrating since my original flight was canceled, and I had to fly to Fresno via Minneapolis and Portland. The plus side of this was that I got to see my aunt Marilyn and uncle Mike for a brief visit in the Portland airport. That was very nice. The week in Fresno was really just a week to visit, since my mom was doing so well. I had fun cooking all week. It is sure nice to cook for someone who is appreciative and will eat whatever is put on the table…(hint, hint, to my family…
Anyway, I got to visit with Wayne and Katie as well as my mom, so it was a good week.
The weather in Fresno was warm with beautiful blue skies all week. No Fresno fog, what's up with that? I flew home to COLD and ice. Here's a picture taken during my absence that shows Bryan clearing the driveway. Look closer and you see that he has bare feet. I didn't even want to ask about the horrendous things that went on around here in my absence 
In fact we've had snow and ice several times so far in December. The first time was a bit scary, since freezing rain was falling as people were driving home at night. Marc said he drove off the road to avoid hitting a truck on his way and so I was worried about Bryan who was also at work. He made it home safely and I was struck by what a good feeling it is to have your family safe at home around you.
I took two of the scouts with my family out for a "winter survival" activity. Thomas and Sam built a survival shelter and so did Bryan and Melody. It was cold but fun.
With all this cold weather, I thought a white Christmas was assured this year, but a couple of days ago it got warm and the snow melted. There is snow predicted for tomorrow though, so we'll see.
But, we don't plan to stick around to enjoy much of the snow if it falls. We're leaving Christmas night to drive to New Orleans. There we will board the Norwegian Spirit to cruise to the Caribbean. The cruise was kind of a last minute vacation idea, but we plan to have a great time, sitting on the beaches, snorkeling, and visiting Mayan ruins. I'll post pictures when we get back.
Meanwhile, I plan to get a Christmas letter written and catch up on my cookie baking (well, maybe do a little packing). Merry Christmas!
Sat, 04 Dec 2010
Thanksgiving UpdateI've been trying to get things caught up around here because I'm leaving for California tomorrow. I get to fly out alone to spend a week with my mom, who just had knee surgery. She's doing great so I suspect my week of "helping" will be a lot of fun, but it's been a lot of work to get myself ready to go. Marc mentioned that one of my "loose ends" around here that ought to be tied up was my blog which has been sitting, untouched for weeks. So here is an entry to catch up.
Several week ago, the leaves on the trees changed colors. Then they fell off the trees. It was beautiful.
About that same time, we took Thomas to the eye doctor because he'd been complaining about not being able to see the board in class. OK, he wasn't exaggerating the need for glasses and got a pair that same day. He likes being able to see the world around him. He's only lost his glass case a few times, and the glasses not at all. Isn't he handsome?
We went on a hike with the scouts to enjoy these beautiful fall colors, but by the time I found a weekend and organized it, most of the leaves (no, all) were off the trees already. November was already busy with two week of Scouting for Food, but we took off after one of those weeks.Most of the pictures that I took on our photo hike were not of fall colors. Here are a few from that day.
Thomas hasn't shared his pictures with me yet. My original intention was to print out the pictures and make gift card with them, but we've been just too busy this month.
Thanksgiving came next. I was busy and tired and really didn't want to cook the whole dinner myself again this year. But the family came through. Everyone took a piece of dinner to prepare and they did a good job. Here is the planning board.
Melody, Bryan, and I made pies ahead of time. Melody made the pumpkin. Bryan made a lemon chiffon, and I made an apple and warmed a store-bought pecan pie.
Thanksgiving Day, I made a relish tray for pre-dinner munching, and Melody made rolls in the breadmaker.
And Marc made yam yums and regular yams.
Thomas was in charge of Watergate Salad, and Bryan the mashed potatoes.
Somehow in all this picture taking, I forgot to take a picture of the turkey. Yes, we had one. You'll just have to take my word on that.
Melody set the table.
And we ate when the time came.
Marc, Bryan, and I all worked the next day, so it wasn't a big vacation. I worked several day shifts and found that I appreciate several things about the night shift. Maybe I won't give it up soon, in spite of the lack of sleep.
This week was back to the routine of school and work. Have I mentioned before that Melody and Thomas have parts in their school musical? So they have to stay after school routinely for practices.
This week Bryan and Melody each put together lip-sync performances with their respective classes at church. The ward Christmas party and lip-sync was last night. Many people participated. I wanted to, but just never had the time to put something together. Melody and the Beehives did a Christmas in California song.
Bryan and his cohorts in the priest's quorum did something off the wall involving Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I don't remember the song, but the costumes were most impressive.
Several of the groups showed real talent, impressive for the short time they had to practice. The final act was the bishopric. Here they are with their "bling."
Not exactly a traditional Christmas party, but I think all had a good time. Marc got to do the sound for it, and did a good job. Next year, maybe we'll put together a family act
Anyway, I guess I need to finish tying up loose ends so that I can leave tomorrow. When I get back, there will only be two weeks until Christmas. Where did this year go?
Jan Dill Hall St. Peters, Missouri
Page created: 09 November 2008
Page modified: 31 December 2009
