Christmas

None of these pictures are in any kind of order but I really did want

to share them with everyone. We had such a good time. The Davis Family

from Urbandale, Barbie from Ankeny, Ron & Glee from Luana and

Karsten, Beth & boys from Farmersburg got together on

Sunday, December 19th. Charlotte was wondering what everyone

was doing. I think Mom was looking into a box while Jackson looked on!

Christmas Eve at Jim & Mandy's. Charlotte got a wagon from her

Aunt Barbie. She loved everything about it. Barb & Jim are putting

it together with the help of the Munchkin!

It wasn't together yet, but Charlotte had a great time rocking in it!


Brother & sister putting together the wagon. Charlotte was nearby
looking on and waiting impatiently!



Opening the wagon! It was a big box and Charlotte was definitely
curious about the whole thing.


Saturday, December 18th my family came to stay for the weekend.
I sat down in this chair and Charlotte insisted I sit there all night.
She'd go over and pat the chair and say 'sit,' 'sit.' She's so cute!

(Wouldn't it be nice if just once I'd take a good picture with the munchkin?)

My new Christmas tree. Got a little smaller one but this one has pre-lit lights.
Didn't take an much time to put it up!!


We took family pictures on the sofa this year. My son and his family.

Mom & daughter just thinking about everything!!

Christmas Eve Day with my favorite granddaughter! Isn't she a cutie!

Barb gets the greatest shots and I dearly love this one. Thanks Snick!

Mandy liked Rock Star Mickey too!

Jim helped pass out presents.

Charlotte in her unfinished wagon! She loved it anyway! She rocked!!

Helping Barb open a gift.

Glee, Ron & their precious grandsons! Aren't they darling! (the kids, not the adults.)

Well maybe the adults are too!

The Foels' Family. They didn't like the sofa so chose the chair.

Charlotte was trying to go down the stairs so Mandy was rescuing her in the background.

Jim, Mandy & Charlotte.

Charlotte dancing with Mickey!! Check out the shoes! They light up

all over her feet. They are so cool!!

Me & my family. Thanks Glee!

Charlotte really was a big help! Just ask Barb & Jim.

No matter what the occasion Charlotte is a big help. Opening

gifts at Grandma Joy's house.

Just doing what Mickey told her to do!!

The family at church. It was a beautiful tree in their fellowship hall.

Barb & I in front of the same tree.

Barb & her tree.

Barbie & Charlotte!

Karsten & Tristan.

Beth's boys. I love this pic!

Like I said, the pictures are mixed up because when I try and move them around I lose them, so I gave up and decided to just label them as I downloaded them.

We all got together on Sunday, December 19th with my sister and her family. Mike wasn't able to be with us and we really missed you Michael!! Hopefully next year we can all be together. I was going to be lazy and just have soup but decided since we were all going to be together a ham dinner with the trimmings was called for. Everything turned out real well. I don't think anyone left the table hungry. The brownies that were made for dessert, however, didn't turn out at all. Karsten finally decided they were a challenge to him and found in the middle of the pan that they were still edible! That was one disaster I hope doesn't happen again!! We had a great after noon together. My kids came in the night before so we had a chance to do some visiting too. Got re-acquainted with my granddaughter. That was fun!!

Sunday the rest of the family arrived (minus Mike) for dinner and some gift exchanging. Jackson kept opening doors trying to find my toy room. I think Grandma Glee has that little man spoiled rotten! What a cute kid to spoil! Jackson was my biggest help. He passed out the majority of the gifts and helped me open every one of mine. Thanks everyone for the great gifts!! I appreciate them all!!

I had Thursday and Friday off for Christmas holiday so went down to Barb's on Thursday. I had a surprise for my kids. I bought a new (new to me) car on Wednesday and was able to drive it down on Thursday to show them. I got 'kid approval' so did a decent job on my selection. I got a 2007 Ford Fusion. It's a red one! I like it very much. Now I have to sell my old one, but think I can do that fairly easy. Hope so. If you know of anyone that needs an extra car, send them my way.

The car deal came about on the Sunday we were all together. We were just visiting and I mentioned that was probably going to be on my list for the coming year. Karsten started telling me about a car Joe had and before I knew it I was on the phone talking to him. He brought the car as far as Dyersville on Wednesday and it was mine!! I drove the Christmas holiday weekend without plates but had the proper paperwork so didn't have to worry about that, but I did get the plates, registration and paid the taxes on the following Monday.

I spent Christmas Eve day with my children. Mandy had a wonderful lunch and some great appetizers. I want the recipe for the soup, the cream cheese spread and the cookies. Please Mandy? They were great. It snowed (of course) but Barb drove the red sleigh to Jim's house so he could check it out. Got his okay too! We had a bite to eat and then proceed to the living room to open gifts. I think the first one was the wagon. By this time Boomer was sitting on top of the box and Charlotte wanted up there too. She really got excited. It was so much fun just watching her this year. She's such an enjoyable child!! Everyone got lots of presents and lots of really nice things. Jim ended up with 2 wireless printers, but was able to return one for something else he wanted or needed. Sorry about that Jim. Jim , Mandy and Charlotte got me a set of Temptations serving pieces. It's a 13 piece set of rectangle dishes. I love it! What a wonderful surprise. They also got me a few other things that were pretty special too. One thing that stands out is my Christmas ornament from New York City. How cool! Barb got me a new sweater, some sweat pants, a pre-paid perm and assorted other goodies. Thanks all of you. It was a wonderful Christmas.

We went to the Christmas Eve service at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. I dearly love that church. To begin with we (both Jim and Barb) found rock-star parking when we got there at 4:30 (we were going to the 5:00 p.m. service). We took our coats off and went into church. The usher asked how many, Jim said 4 and we were ushered down to the third row from the front (more rock-star treatment). What a beautiful service. Lots of singing (they have some very talented people in that congregation) and a wonderful Christmas story. A little boy got away from his family and appeared on the stage. He kinda stopped to check everything out and eventually (before anyone could grab him) ended up right near the pastor. Pastor asked him if he was looking for the Baby Jesus? The little guy didn't answer but stopped moving. Pastor told him he could go up and look at the Baby Jesus. They had a real baby in the manager on stage at that time. He said that was what Christmas was all about. The Baby Jesus! By that time dad or grandpa got ahold of him and off they went. The congregation applauded! It was so cool. The whole service was. The kings came out of the congregation singing, the special group sang wonderful songs and ended the service with candle-lit Silent Night. It was beautiful. I turned around to look at the congregation from where we sat and all the candles were lit. The whole building was bathed in candle light. What a wonderful way to spend Christmas Eve.

Snowing when we left (of course). We went back to Jim's and had another bowl of soup, loaded up our goodies and left the young kids to enjoy Christmas Eve with their daughter. Charlotte is such a cutie. She asks for Hugs and Kisses. Of course I wouldn't think of giving her any-- NOT!! It really was a wonderful day with my children.

Barb and I drove back separately on Christmas Day. She wanted to spend some time with her Dad. They had a real nice visit. Harry is doing well after his surgery. She stayed with me Saturday and Sunday night. Did a few errands for me on Monday and then had lunch with her Dad on the way home. She had Monday and Tuesday off. Everything turned out well for all us. Mandy & Jim made it to Mandy's family this year for Christmas. Thank goodness! Sounds like they had a great time too!

Sorry for the length. But I really did have a great Christmas. I am blessed with a wonderful family. I enjoyed this year more than a lot of them. Plans are to get together with my sister and her family again next year (at her place). Be prpared Glee & Ron!! We're invading!! Just think Charlotte will be 2, Jackson 4 and Tristan 1+. Won't that be fun with all the little people???

Merry Christmas All. Hope your's was as great as mine.