Christmas Merry!

Yesterday we gathered at Grandma's to celebrate Christmas. It was so much fun and made me so thankful for family. We ate ham, mashed potatoes, carrots, and did not eat salad and olives that I forgot to take out of the fridge. Jami made a gingerbread triffle and Tessa made cheese bread and cranberry muffins with butter sauce. We did used gifts again this year and I've come to the conclusions it's way more fun than new gifts, AND... I got rid of lots of clutter!

Ugle Christmas Sweater

We had an ugly Christmas sweater competition. Matt even had a tie that played Jingle Bells. We voted and 1st prize went to Tyler(4th from left). I think it was the wierd necklace and smary way he combed his hair that won it for him. Matt, the tall guy, won 2nd prize. Grandma had the heat turned up so high, we couldn't wait to get out of the hot things. John spray painted a green Christmas tree on the back of his.

Festivus!

Tyler and Jami planned a whole fun Festivus for our gathering. The kids and I watched a lot of Seinfeld and Tyler has become an addict of sorts since leaving home. So this will only make sense to those who watch and like Seinfeld. Tyler made a Festivus pole and we each got a card containing the above notice that a contribution had been made to the Human Fund. Everyone received a "Fucilli person". Since Matt is tall, he got one made out of spaghetti. My gift was a "Coffee Table Book About Coffee Tables", complete with hinged legs that fold up. Other gifts were: a high pressure shower head, a box of muffin stumps, Pez dispenser, a puffy shirt, big woman's glasses, box of Junior Mints, and a portrait of Kramer. It was so funny, I thot my stomach would never be the same from all the laughing. Later we played the Seinfeld game. I must appreciate all the thot and work that went into it!!!!

Christmas Day

It's been a nice, mellow Christmas. Wednesday night John and I went to church. It was a great service with music to warm the soul! Then we discovered that restraunts were actually open Christmas Eve---who knew?!! So we stopped at Red Lobster for a healthy helping of garlic and butter. Christmas Day I did a puzzle--center pic--, tried a new recipe, and made Chinese food for Melanie, Hope and all the kids. Only one stocking was hung this year since Tanner's the only one left here. If I wasn't such a last minute girl, I could have done stockings for everyone, but the thot overwhelmed me. Trevor and his friend built themselves an ice fishing shack, complete with a pail for a wood stove. Bottom center Matt and Jami(fine actors) are warming themselves by the stove. Sunday we get to do more Christmas fun with a meal and exchanging our used/white elephant gifts. Hope everyone's Christmas was joyful. To think that God Almighty sent His Son here just for us!!!!!

The Little Princess

Pucca the princess came to Matt's birthday party and was great entertainment. She wasn't bothered by the crowd at all. See that little purse next to her? Jami's taught her how to carry it around and she just prances with it so proudly in her mouth. Oh she's cute!! Just the kind of dog one would expect Jami Small Town Royalty to have!

Matt's Birthday

Tonight we celebrated Matt's birthday. It was snowing and the roads weren't good, but we made it. It was a quick party so everyone could get home. Tessa made huge amounts of stomboli and salad and we had snicker salad and angel food cake with berries. He's modeling one of the pajama pants and boxer shorts I sewed him and slippers Tessa gave him. Had an old window frame that I put black and white photos in that Tessa took at Matt's grandparents' farm. And that is Matt's mom who birthed our tall boy 26 years ago. We are blessed to have Matt in our family!

TIMBERRRRRRR!

This is what I came home to today. John heard it fall and then when he picked it up, he grabbed the top and the other 2 sections came apart. I would just as soon sweep it all into a bag and forget it--what a collosal mess! Yuk!
Today I went to the library and spent some happy moments browsing. Got a few books and dvd's. I will probably have to watch one tonight since Survivor is over and CSI is a rerun and no ER. Or I should do some Christmas baking.
Good thing my ornaments are cheap plastic. HO HO HO!