Christmas, 2nd Edition

Santa is not on his way yet.  Now is the time to "wrap" it all up and try to enjoy some quite Christmas moments!

Happy 83rd Birthday, Tommy!

Alison's and Lindsay's families drop in to sing "Happy

Birthday" and enjoy the gorgeous cake!  (Lindsay's husband, an M.D., was on call and could not be there).

Todd and his two children visited Tommy and Judy for several days in early December.

Note from Tommy:

Todd's visit w/Holly and Ashford*...they helped Judy w/ the outside lights, and attended the Nativity at our church (a BIG DEAL   - 4 performances, 2 ea. Sat and Sun;  Judy, Evan, and Savannah were it last year and this year;  several hundred at ea. performance... 400+ at final one;  Linz' kids and Todd's kids went to the early one on Sat.)  Also some taken on my birthday... one they are singing "Happy Birthday" plus one of me and the 6 Fort Worth grandkids, and one w/ Judy and me... (They came by to wish me happy birthday and for a piece of cake;  Judy and I had a mac-cheese and spam dinner for our private 'party'.)  One w/ Savannah and Holly... they get along famously... Judy took them shopping and got them matching sweaters...
Spam, Tommy?---that's your birthday dinner!!!!  And my kids laugh at me for eating JELLO!

 ALL these kids are grandchildren, some attendees and others performers.

This looks great!  (Savannah & Evan with Judy)

In Texas, you don't FREEZE while putting your Christmas lights out!

What a sweet memory for these cousins, Savannah & Holly, getting matching Christmas sweaters from Gramma!

Looks like goofy photos are the rage.  Love it!

and my FAVORITE picture:  

Beautiful couple.  God bless you!

Yesterday, 12/14, Nancy and I drove to Hornell and met Cathy and Patty there.  Patty felt well enough to go out to lunch with us at the Arkport Cafe, our favorite place.

We enjoy every little holiday touch, right down to the placemats!

After lunch, Nancy and I went to Patty's apartment to wrap Christmas gifts for her.  We had a very nice time. 
 Nancy cheated  using pre-decorated boxes!!

Patty's tree

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Cookie Exchange Photos

 Carol at the coffee/hot chocolate table.

 Noelle, Erin, Renee and Deb.

 We always think of Mom when we "count the candy."

 Soup is on!

 Clowning around.

 Mary Ann stole this gift from Lacey!

Dessert at my apartment afterward.

 Nancy's beautiful nativity.

Teachers Erin and Deb had plenty to talk about.

 We love our Christmas mugs:)

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 It's festive at Timmy & Kerry's!

Tall mugs and "Tinky" standing tall in the background.  She is one adorable little dog!

There are festive goings-on near where Timmy & Kerry live

in Louisiana.  He sent me a few pictures:

 Live nativity

This is one advantage of living in close to urban areas!

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A Christmas Story (most of you saw this on FB, but some haven't)

 A couple of weeks go, Tom and Amy Mayo went to see 
a Cincinnati Bengal's football game.  While there they
visited this famous museum.  I'd love to go there!

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COOKIES

Timmy & Kerry and Mary Ann & Linwood
bake tons of cookies for their neighbors.

I, on the other hand, mostly eat cookies and drink
lots of egg nog.  

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I went to the local Tractor Supply Saturday and
a group of 4Hers were having a bake sale.  I got
this cute bag shaped liked a reindeer.  They told me it had
reindeer food in it---drop it on the ground Christmas Eve
and it will lead them to your house:)  Didn't have
my phone so I couldn't get a photo.  They were really
sweet, and as I was a 4Her as a kid, I always support them.

Still not exactly sure what's inside, ha!


Finally

Beautiful picture Carol took in her back 
yard.  She had to run to get her camera, and feared the cardinal would be gone.  

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas
and Happy New Year!!

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." 
John 1:14