Christmas 2018

The tree is down and replaced by the puzzle table with a fresh jigsaw puzzle. All the decorations are stored back into their boxes and put under the basement steps.
It's been a few days since we had everybody over for Christmas and the memories still put a smile on my face.
We started out with a visit to Jon and Erica's on Christmas Eve day to visit with The Duppler family.
It seems I get to see the kiddos at Sharen's house whenever she is babysitting (one of the perks of living so close), but I finally got to visit with the parents.


Our dinner table was extend to include 2 more people this year. Steve and Maryellen joined us.

I'm not sure what was different this year compared to other years. But I wasn't stressed about anything. I made dinner the day before. I was very confident in the gifts I bought - I didn't return anything before hand. First Time!!!!


We got all the grandkids to take a group picture without any trouble. Good Christmas.....

Christmas Day we were invited to Linda and Dee's house.
Now us sisters see each other, but not all in one group.


We had a great time. Sharen, Vicki and I all showed up in our slippers.
We got together for a picture and of course each husband had a phone so all the pictures we are all looking every which way.

 Until Jan stepped in one person - one picture - everyone looking at her.

We were missing one sister though and to let her know we all were missing her I suggested we all text her this picture at the same time. Not sure if it worked, but we all started laughing and did not stop.
Sharen was trying to tag me for something and Vicki kept telling her to tap my face.
"Just hit her in the face!"
You guessed it - she came and slapped me in the face. OK just tapped me.
More laughter.
I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It felt so good to spend time with my sisters with no drama, no snipping at each other, no trouble that other large families suffer from. Though I did snap at Vicki and felt horrible after. Linda had some of Mom's old pictures and we were trying to figure who everybody was. She mentioned that you could tell our twin Aunts apart because one was heavier that the other. It really hit a nerve with me and you can guess why. Yes, I'm the heavier one.
Something I have learned to live with MOST of the time.


Bryan came through for me and got me a Tens unit. I needed something for my chronic neck pain. With this thing I  am going to celebrate Christmas all year long.

Cookies

I have been making this cut out cookie recipe for 40 some years. I made these for all holidays and have a Large assortment of cookie cutters for all occasions. I have a heart shape cutter that was my Mothers that I use EVERY time I make these cookies. Each batch deserves a heart cookie so they know they were made with love. Roger loves this story.
This cookie is still the number 1 favorite for Mike.
That is - if it has frosting on top. Again I have been making this frosting for probably just as long as the cookies. Why not they go together.
The Florys were out to chop down their tree and stopped at our house to help me with the cookie decorating. Linda stopped by to say Hi and visit.

I tried to keep a eye on what went into the boys mouths  and who was licking spoons and reusing, but it turned out to be a losing battle. After washing Owens knife a few times I just watch and tried to keep the mess down to a minimum.
I put those few aside for Owen to take home. Mike said he didn't care he loved them all and would gladly enjoy eating them.

Funny thing is I don't eat these cookies. I really enjoy baking them, but I leave the eating to Mike. In exchange he doesn't eat my peanut butter balls.

Roger and I were finishing up the last of the decorating and he told me the angel we made was his favorite and he wanted to eat it with me. They had their quota of sugar, So we cut it down the center and he took his home and we will try and facetime so we can eat it together.

Now Mary is not a fan of favorites. She has instilled in the boys that everything they do is the best and not one is better than the other. Me - I always seem to have a favorite and point it out. I know - not cool Grandma, but the heart cookie was perfect. Just saying!
Roger decorated it - and he was very cool about not pointing out that I picked his. He told Luke that his will probably be my favorite next time. I then told Luke I loved his snowman so all was forgiven.

Santa Breakfast

Owen is now big man on campus.
With both Roger and Luke in regular school, Owen is the only Flory boy at Res. daycare/preschool.

It was a bad weather day, but that didn't stop us from joining everybody for breakfast with the man himself - Santa.

Not sure what he told him he wanted, but he got a Yes!

We had to get in and get out to make Rogers basketball game so we got first in line for the photos.

Mike and I enjoy going to this each year. The food is really good and all the teachers are there to greet you. 

After a quick game of basketball we stop over at their house. I had a project for the boys.

Last year Mike made me a tree out of some scrap wood. I'm looking at it and decided it needed some decorations.

I found some wooden ornaments over at Hobby Lobby and I asked the boys to color them for me.

Luke always seems to end up on top of the table

They we happy to add some color. Turns out coloring  takes to long for Owen. Scribble and go. He told me I could finish them for him.

Before:

After:

So much better. I did have a bow at the top, but Luke insisted it has to be a star so Mike cut me one and I painted that. 

It sits on my front porch saying welcome to my home.