Christmas in TX

We made another trip back to Texas with trailer in tow, to pick up some things I inherited from dad's house and to spend Christmas and my birthday with family.

Before we left we had an early Christmas with Jacob, Karli and Bonnye Anne.

 Bonnye Anne with the Snoopy Doll she got from her grandpa. She loves it!

 

 My little cutie!

 

My gifts and stocking stuffers from Jacob! Harold got a set of John Wayne movies that he likes and candy and other cool things.

We spent Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve and with Harold's family on Christmas Day.

 

 L-R: George, Harold, Frida

 

 Gary & Melanie

 

 Brian (Jennifer's friend) & Jennifer (Melanie's daughter) Missed getting a picture of Ronnie & Tiffany before they left for another get-together with his family.

 George with his Darth Vader mug from Jacob

 

 George with his nerf gun set from his dad

 

DH and my dad's friend, John

 

My surprise gifts from DH!

 

Christmas Day we spent with DH's brother David and SIL, Linda at their daughter's Lindsey's house. It started snowing shortly after we got there, so we ended up with a "White Christmas!" It was wonderful. Lindsey had gotten these cool marshmallow guns for her little boy, Jay-Jay and her hubby, Jason and her dad and between those and the nerf guns the boys (young and old had a blast) running around the house shooting one another. Frida got in on the action as well. She was a blast to watch as she bounces when she shoots. So cute!

 

 Lindsey's House - 1st white Christmas in a very, very longtime. Especially in TX!

 

 Jay showing me the sock monkey he has and the toy he got for Christmas!

 

Picture of Bonnye Anne on Christmas morning shared by her mommy!

 

The night before my birthday we went to Vila Brazil, one of our favorite places to go now when home visiting. Attending this outing was Melanie & Jimmy, Tiffany & Ronnie, George, Frida, Gary & Suzie and DH and I (of course). We had a fabulous time! Linda and David gave me my b'day present early (she cross-stitched it) and Melanie gave each couple a little New Year's gift.

 The dragon is done with numbers for 2012!

 

Isn't this adorable - a mini bottle of champagne and a homemade popper!

 



We were still in TX for my birthday, so we went out with my sister, Mel and her DH and my son, George and my niece, Frida. We went to Pappasito's Cantina. It was very good. DH and I had never been there before and Melanie (my sister) had given us a gift certificate for their and so we decided to use it for my birthday dinner.

 

My gift from DH - a birthday sockmonkey and a Charlie Brown Stamp Set.

 



 Got a special serenade from the staff - LOL!

My new sock monkey named Hap, wanted to eat my birthday sopapilla - I did let him have a little - LOL!

 

Me, DH, Frida, George, Melanie, Jimmy

 

After dinner we all parted ways to go ring in the New Year in our own way. DH and I went back to Tiffany's house and relaxed and rang it in with some Sparkling Apple Cider. Wanted to make mimosas with the champagne Mel had given us, but didn't have any orange juice.

My Favorite Christmas Elf!

I found this adorable outfit at Walmart and while I was babysitting her on Saturday, I just had to put it on her and take some pictures. She is just so adorable (no prejudism there, just fact - LOL!)

Now, who could resist this adorable face!

Happy Baby!

See sometimes she does wake up happy! LOL!

Christmas Candy Sleigh Treats

My Scarlet Sophisticates Sock Monkey Sisterhood group got together and made some of this for our big Christmas party. I had to miss the get together to make them as I was out-of-town, but I have been busy making them since then. First for my other red hat group, The Busy Bees and now as little gifts for some of my neighbors. They are so fun and easy to make. Here is the link with a tutorial to make them.

 Aren't they adorable!

 

You can see them on the table at each place setting. We had a Dessert Party, but as usual, Maryln went above and beyond and provided us with subs, chips and some punch as well. Yummy! All the desserts were fantastic as well!  She and her DH, Frank are avid District 56 collectors (kinda obvious - huh!) I see something I missed the time before everytime I go there. My favorite are the ones that move and play music (like the carnival scene)

In Loving Memory of my Father

In Loving Memory of My Father

Vernon L. Prather

 

October 2, 1932 - November 13, 2012

 

High Flight

 

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth.
Of sun-split clouds--and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of-
Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft throught footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sancitity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

 

by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

More New Nieces or Nephews Coming Next Year!

Wow! This year has been an exciting one. Our niece Risa had her little girl, Bonnye Risa on June 28th; our youngest son, Jacob and DIL, Karli had their little girl, Bonnye Anne on July 4th; and then Our niece Bekah had her son, Ryder on Sept. 17th. Babies everywhere.

Well, we found out  not long ago that our niece Lindsey is expecting again and today we found out that our niece Roxie (Risa's twin sister) is also expecting. So many cousins being born so close together in birthdays is gonna be fun! Now if we can just get them all together. Risa is in CO,  Jacob is in NC (he should be back in VA early next year), Bekah is in TX (soon to be in Del Rio, TX, Lindsey is in  Fort Worth, TX (actually Richland Hills) and Roxie is in No. VA (at least I will get to see hers after it is born).

Update: Sad news, Roxie lost the baby, but she is doing well so hopefully we will get another happy report in the future.  Lindsey has been having a lot of sickness with her pregnancy, but so far she is still doing okay. Everyone is keeping a close eye on her and she is taking it easy after having problems with a pregnancy last year.  Good news is she will be finding out the sex of the baby on my birthday! Can't wait!

I'm a Great-Auntie Again!

Our niece, Bekah and her DH hubby, Beau welcomed their new son, Ryder today. He is adorable. He arrived on 9/17 at 6:10 a.m. He is 8 lbs. 11 ozs., 20 inches.

Ryder

 

 Ryder and his proud parents, Beau & Bekah

 

Proud Grandma & Ryder