... As well as the beginning of 2025. You can probably tell by my lack of posting, things have been busy around our house. At least I've managed to read a couple of blogs here and there and saw that we will be starting the year with Pink! Thank you, Angela -- our fearless Rainbow Scrap Challenge leader, for giving us a heads up already.
The holidays here started on Dec. 18th with the arrival of our daughter and the two grandkitties. Two days later on the 20th was the arrival of my brother, my SIL, and their German Shepherd. Saturday, the 21st came our son with his wife & the two grandsons and then right behind them was our niece Kelli and her fiance Jack. Out of their car also jumped her Golden Retriver, Mac! My nephew & his wife flew in on Sunday. Whew! Lots of names for my mother to remember. Lol!
Not everyone was at our house at one time -- only one dinner actually -- but there were multiple meals where we had ten. We swapped Christmas gifts, we talked, we laughed, we remembered good times, we played games. Have you ever heard of the game Double Ditto? It's a great one for a crowd.
Here are some pictures I've got to share. NOTE: There are a lot so feel free to scroll down for a quilt picture.
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Grampa with Jacob
Hase & GG watching |
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Kelli & Jack in the St. Louis Arch Car
Preparing to Go to the Top |
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| The Gateway Arch with Busch Stadium in the Background |
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| Kelli & Jack Enjoyed Ballpark Village |
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| Jared Daring to Touch Polly |
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Grampa Showing Brody How to Ride His New Scooter
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Karen & Me Posing for Our Picture
Gracie in Front |
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Mom, John III, Kelli, Jack, & John Jr
Mac in Front
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| Karen & Me |
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Sarah, Jack, Kelli, John III, & Katharine
Gracie in Front |
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Katharine & Karen Have Matching Shirts!
(DIL & MIL) |
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| Pile On Katharine! |
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| Grandkids & Mates with Mom |
Sarah got me a Lego Poinsettia project. We assembled it together. Good thing since I'm not good at pictures for instructions (give me words!) and spatial relationship gives me fits!
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| We Finished Step One |
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| Step Two Completed |
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| Worked Out Step 3 |
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| Step 4 Had Us Blooming |
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| And Done! |
It's very sweet and makes a great centerpiece. I'll bag it up later for next year.
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| Polly Wondering About the Tree |
Sarah left this morning from our house for Virginia. Kelli & Jack left from her other grandmother's house and are headed back to NC. Jared & family have spent the last few days at my DIL's house and are on their way back here right this minute. John III & his wife fly out of here tomorrow morning, Oklahoma City-bound. Jared & family will depart on Monday for their Maryland home and my brother & SIL will go home to NC too.
Quite a couple of weeks. No sewing done to mention. Of course, there was some handwork and don't forget my Lego Poinsettia! Right before Christmas, I did manage to mostly finish-up a couple of placemats. Well, poop! Guess I didn't take a picture. I'll catch up with those another time. I did get the final borders on this beauty though! Even managed a quick picture!
So that's been my story lately - very busy and it ain't over yet! Dinner for 7 tonight, breakfast & dinner for 9 tomorrow, and lastly dinner for 5 Monday night. Even though it's been great having everyone here & there and I know that family comes first, I'm looking forward to kicking back and petting my sewing machine! First thing I'm going to sew up will be the final pineapples and it looks like they'll be pink!
Sorry this ran on so long but I wanted to get it down for posterity. If you or family are traveling this time of year, I pray everyone gets where they need to go safely. Happy New Year!
Looks like a wonderful time was had by all!!
ReplyDeleteThe house was finally emptied out Tuesday morning. Everyone was home safe & sound by that evening -- Maryland, Virginia, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. Phew! Now to get on with the laundry -- lots of bedding! Lol!
DeleteFamily times are the best and make great memories. PS:I was not happy with who won Survivor
ReplyDeleteThe house was finally emptied out Tuesday morning. Everyone was home safe & sound by that evening -- Maryland, Virginia, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. Phew!
DeleteWho did you want to win Survivor? I didn't really have a favorite of the final 3. I personally kinda liked Sam, Rachel was tough on challenges, and Sue? Great name! Lol! Also I favored her for her age (but not her implants! Hahaha!).
You've had quite a month of December! Looks like lots of fun. It's always great to have family home for the holidays, but also good to get back to normal!
ReplyDeleteThe house was finally emptied out Tuesday morning. Everyone was home safe & sound by that evening -- Maryland, Virginia, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. Phew! I made time with my sewing machine (FINALLY!) Tuesday afternoon while doing bedding laundry. Lol!
DeleteI'm exhausted just reading what you've been up to the last couple of weeks! lol Sure it is lots of fun together with family, but also good to get back to routines. That's a fun Lego poinsettia! Beautiful poinsettia quilt.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the visit, Astrid. The house was finally emptied out Tuesday morning. Everyone was home safe & sound by that evening -- Maryland, Virginia, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. Phew! My Lego poinsettia will forever hold a special place in my heart since it was a project that was enjoyed by my daughter and me. Happy New Year!
DeleteSuch a lot of lovely family visiting and great fun had I am sure. xx
ReplyDeleteThe house was finally emptied out Tuesday morning. Everyone was home safe & sound by that evening -- Maryland, Virginia, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. Phew! Everyone had a great time. My dog is still waiting for her furry friends to return and my kitty has welcomed the peace & quiet. Lol!
DeleteBrave, brave girl to host 20 guests. I’m “pooped” just trading it!. I realize they weren’t all there all the time. But still! Looks like you will have tons of memories. That’s the important thing..Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy. That's two years in a row that I've hosted it all. I doubt I'll do it again next year. Happy New Year to you too!
DeleteIt sounds like the holiday season has been a blast at your house. I am so glad that your family was able to come in and you all are having such a great time. It is a busy busy time of the year. I wish you a wonderful New Year, Susie. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melisa. I wish you a loving, healthy New Year!
Deletelovely family and photos of the fun. I think you're right about thumbprint cookies needing chill time before the bake, LeeAnna
ReplyDeleteThe house was finally emptied out Tuesday morning. Everyone was home safe & sound by that evening -- Maryland, Virginia, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. Phew! We actually only had 14 of us at the largest gathering. I tallied up the main meals that I cooked for -- 74 meals!!!! Not sure how I managed all that but I did get some help fro m my SIL, daughter, and DIL. Wishing you a Happy New Year!
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ReplyDeleteThe holidays sure are busy. It is nice to take a break from blogging when life gets busy!
ReplyDeleteHaha! There was no time for blogging whatsoever. That's two years in a row that I've hosted Christmas. I doubt I'll do it again next year. I'm not getting any younger! Lol! However, it was nice seeing everyone. Family time is wonderful!
DeleteYou've been having a lot of fun family time...the quilt looks great - love the lego poinsettia...fiddly aren't they?...I prefer written instructions too...Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYes, lots & lots of family time and it was all good. I seriously doubt I'll host again next year. Two years seems enough for me. Did you put together a Lego pointsettia too? I absolutely LOVE mine. The project and the sweet time putting it together with my daughter. Happy New Year to you as well!
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