I love family parties. I love to party. Period. But I really love having my family around. We hosted the Monson Social this year. Loved it! It helps that I have great in-laws that I like and consider friends as well as relatives. And that I have great kids who pitch in and help. I know I'm a super-freak when it comes to Christmas and snow and all that warm, fuzzy stuff. I'm thankful they tolerate me....

Welcome!

I'm so glad you're visiting. I'm participating in BooMama's Christmas tour. The homes I've visited are delightful! I hope you enjoy mine.


We have a Winter Wonderland outside, I wish you could see it! I collect Nativities, this is my first ever! It's now over 30 years old.
We have a Christmas tradition of sharing books. Each year I buy a book for each of my children's families and try to find a small memento that will go along with it. It's usually a Christmas book, but it doesn't have to be. This year our book is an illustrated collection of Christmas stories, I have a small nativity for each family to go with it.

Merry Christmas To You!

Is Santa Real?

Logan doesn't believe in Santa anymore....

That's okay, we've wondered how long he would. Here's the conversation he had with Ashley yesterday.

"Mom, is Santa real?"
"Why wouldn't he be?"
"Well, how does he get all of that stuff in his bag? I mean last year he brought Ashlynn a "Rose Petal Cottage", and Rylee a desk, there's no way he could carry all that! So how can he be real?"
"So what do you think happens?"
"I don't know but it couldn't be Santa - who does it?"
"Well.....if you promise to be a big boy and not tell your sisters...."
"I Promise."
"Santa isn't real."
"Who is it then!?"
"It's mom and dad!"
"Oh.....I guess I'm not getting the Dune Buggy I asked for."
"I guess not."
"But I'd better get the Bike!"

Another "rite of passage". I wish I could keep my grandchildren at their age right now for a few minutes longer......

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great. All of the kids came home and Grandma Dot was with us. What a blessing. We have a traditional pheasant hunt in the morning for those that want to go. This year was one of the best - thanks to Cam and his generous offer to treat everyone at his Hunt Club. The turkey was perfect, it looked like it came out of a Norman Rockwell picture, thanks to Jerry. We tried a new chestnut dressing - yummy. I got to roast chestnuts - although not over an open fire. We ate until we were rolling out of our chairs. The Bingo Game was so fun, everyone got a prize and Chad - the caller won the Black Out prize. We watched a movie and ate pie and pudding 'til we couldn't breath. I really think the day was perfect.

My top ten thanks:
10. Contentment
9. Holidays
8. Laughter
7. Warm Home
6. Good Food, Plenty
5. Health
4. Grandma Dot
3. Children close
2. Grandchildren
1. Family and Jerry

HALLOWEEN PARTY AND SPOOK ALLEY

We had so much fun doing the spooky alley and putting the games together.Everyone got into the "Spirit" of things and had a good time. Besides the spook alley, we did a fish pond and cake walk.

We have a Gorilla costume that gets mileage every year. The kids worry about where it is and who's in it...they really keep track of Chad and Jeremy. Ashlynn kept saying, "That Gowilla wealwy Fweaks Me Owt!" Jerry made a great "Chick Magnet". Kyler is Mickey Mouse, he Loved his costume. The girls were so fun because they were all fairies and a unicorn so they could play together, the boys are into Star Wars and ninja - anything with a "shwowd"(sword) or "life saver"(light saber). Ashley made the cupcakes - they were so good, "I could eat just one of them!"