MERRY CHRISTMAS

COW POOP
This will be my last post before Christmas.  Here are some photos of the cookie exchange, lunch at Sprague's Maple Farm, and others.  Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone!

"C" is for CHRISTMAS COOKIES!

I will begin with the group photo.  Several were taken with

cameras on "timer" setting.  I thought a not-so-perfect photo would be nice for a change.

Sisters and nieces attended, as well as two of Lacey's co-workers at the hospital.  They were lovely to meet---the more the merrier!

Lacey tells us about her special creations.

 Can you guess whose nose that is in the lower right corner---ha?!

 Nancy added an international flavor, baking Mexican Christmas sugar cookies.  She dressed for her presentation  and told us the story of her cookie choice.  They were delish!

 Mary Ann put in a lot of work decorating her gingerbread men and women.

 Candy canes added a festive touch to Patty's packages.

 Deborah was able to attend this year.

 Lacey made cake  pops---very "in" right now.  I liked her packaging---these cool boxes with a see-thru top.

Laughing at the cookie stories is always a highlight.

Allison brought homemade peanut brittle---her kids love it, too.

 Christi  listens attentively to all the baking stories, both funny and semi-tragic! 

Erin is a sophomore in college---hard to believe.  So nice to see the younger generation taking an interest in being with us oldsters.

CHRISTMAS MOUSE was our theme this year

Nancy and Lacey brought  me some goodies, including this Christmas baker mouse.

He's swingin' from the beams!

Cathy's daughter-in-law, Elissa, is a regular attender.

That's all for the cookie exchange!

Nancy, Christi and Lacey went to Christmas festivities at the village park in Hammondsport after the party.  Christi is in front of a store's HUGE display of Byer's carollers.  I have two of these figures (above).  I cannot image collecting any more of them.  As Barry says, "they look deranged!"

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Dianne Directs MIRACLE ON 34th STREET

Dianne directed a 30-member cast (below) comprised of 4th through 12th graders.  It was held at the Auditorium Theater in Rochester.

Here  she is accepting an autographed poster, along with the assistant and student directors.

Renee's daughter, Tara, attended one of the performances, along with Dianne's family.

Giving a speech.

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Lunch at Sprague's

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From CAROL:

Jimmy at the Owego Lights Festival

Her tree.

A shot Carol took at Nancy's a few weeks ago.  Look way toward the back and you can see Barry walking "Friday."

AND FINALLY---

CHRISTMAS CRITTERS!

I never get tired of pics of "Tinkerbell" and "Carlie."  "Tink" has her very best holiday sweater on.

And PI MAN uses his home-brewed stout for cooking, too:

Stout-flavored roast beast!

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Hark the Herald angels sing, glory to the

new-born king.

Merry Christmas!

Christmastime Is Here

COW POOP  
I've been lazy and have gotten a bit behind with my pictures.  The Allen Sisters' cookie exchange was last Saturday, 12/10, and that took up a lot of my time.  So now it is back to business.  Here is my first holiday-oriented post. 
On a serious note, Aunt Theresa is not doing well again.  She is in the hospital.  Please remember her in your prayers---she is so dear to all of us.

Carol and Jimmy traveled to Nancy's on Dec. 3rd.  Carol enjoys seeing Nancy and Barry's huge tree every year.  Nancy made us a homemade soup & sandwich lunch and we had a nice time visiting.

We also had a "tree lighting" ceremony, of sorts.  A la "Christmas Vacation" movie, we had the drum roll sound effect and sang "Hark the Herald."  It was a lot of laughs!

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  Andrew and Allison's family went out the day after Thanksgiving to get their tree.

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Timmy was not thrilled with the task of putting the Christmas tree together.

But he was happy to toast a job well done with his home-brewed Irish Stout!

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It's the kids that make the holidays so much fun.  Here are Tim Jr. and Amanda with Bennett and Reagan, looking excited about the season.

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Linwood had a beautiful day to go pick out a Christmas tree.

 

Mary Ann was busy decking the halls, hanging the stockings and baking gingerbread.

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Tommy & Judy Visit Timmy & Kerry

Timmy placed this sign outside to indicate where T & J should park.  If you know T & J's address in Arkansas, you should "get it."

 Tommy and Judy made a Louisiana stop en route to their cruise ship (which they are currently aboard).   This is a must stop---Cafe du Monde.

 Love this photo in front of St. Louis Cathedral.

 This Saints jersey has a double  meaning, if you get my drift.

 You can add your OWN caption to this one!

The bros (and eldest and youngest in the family) watching the Saints game.  That "Tinkerbell" always steals the show!

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Nancy found these vintage Christmas  dessert plates, cake stand, and mugs on one of our

 "junkin'" outings. 

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I put this photo of Theresa, Nancy and me out every year.  It was taken at the mall in 2008 when we got Aunt Theresa to sit on Santa's lap.  It always makes me smile.

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Now this is a catch-up photo---Uncle David and Aunt Betty's daughter, Ellen, was married last summer and I bugged him for some pics!    Here they are.  I love the yellow and blue.  Everyone looks wonderful!!

Thanks for sharing, Uncle David!!

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I'll be posting pics from the cookie exchange soon.  If you have any holiday photos, send them along!