Tuesday, January 4, 2011

It's Always the Blog that Suffers

                                              ***WARNING: PICTURE HEAVY!!!!***


I know that I said that I'd post again on Thursday and it is now Tuesday, but some things have to go by the wayside and it is unfortunately, the blog that suffers.  I have had a lot on my plate and on top of it all, I got sick and spent 2 1/2 hours at the doctor's office on Thursday.  Diagnosis: Strep Throat. On top of that I got a terrible cold so instead of feeling better, I started to feel worse and then the medicine that I was put on made me sick to my stomach.  So, I've been a mess!  Just starting to feel somewhat human again now. 

Anyway, Christmas was wonderful.  Bella got everything that she wanted and lots of stuff that she didn't even know she wanted. The highlight of her day was probably when she opened her American Girl Doll.  She coveted that doll but hadn't dard to ask for it, so it was a total surprise.  She was SO excited!  She told us that we spoiled her and that she was so, so, so lucky.  Made this Grandma's heart feel good.
Bella discovers 'Lainey'.
It was just so nice to have the kids home and have all of us together too.  That was the  most precious gift. 
We all got nice gifts and just really enjoyed the day.
After dinner Tim went home to celebrate Christmas with his girlfriend and Michelle put Bella to bed and then went to celebrate with Shawn and Jim and I collapsed.  We are really getting old.  Ha!

On Sunday we traveled up to Pa. to visit with Jim's brother, sister and nephew.  We exchanged gifts with them, visited and had dinner and then headed back home again.  It was a busy day, but I am so glad that we have that opportunity to get up there and see them each year.  It's nice to see everyone and it means an awful lot to Jim, so I am happy that we can do it. 
When we got home there was a messag on our maching from my Dad saying that he and Marlena had left N.J. on Sunday instead of Monday to try and beat the snow and they were now in town.  (We were expecting them on Monday.)  I called them and they were safe in their  hotel room, lucky to have beaten the snow that hit the east coast.  So, they came over in the morning.  Bella was so excited!  Her Christmas just never ended! 
Here's my Dad showing off his hat, complete with hair!

To add to the fun, Uncle Timmy came back home to see the Grandparents!  Bella was in heaven!

Tuesday morning we had breakfast and then they left, on their way to Florida and sunnier skies!  Then later in the afternoon, my Mom and Dad arrived from Vermont.  They had gotten snowed in for a day or so, having gotten more than 24 inches of the white stuff.  So they finally were able to make it in and we had a nice visit with them.  Bella and Nana had fun playing with all of Bella's new toys.


                                                                   
Everyone had a chance to meet  Shawn, so that was nice too.  Then it was on to birthdays!
First up was Michelle.  Friday the 31st, we all had the day off so we took it easy getting up, didn't rush to get dressed or anything.  It was nice.  Finally, Michelle opened her presents and loved everything-especially her cowgirl boots!  Later in the evening Shawn and Aiden joined us and we all went out for dinner at a Japanese hibachi restaurant.  Mmmmm!  Good food.  Then on home for ice cream cake and happy birthday.
Bella and Michelle
Bella and Aiden

Shawn and Michelle
Michelle & Shawn were going to keep the kids at our house until Bella went to bed and then go back to Shawn's house and put Aiden to bed, but the kids had such a good time playing together and were so well behaved that they just stayed at the house.  Shawn and Aiden wound up leaving at 12:45 and left with the promise that if the kids got a good night sleep, Shawn could bring Aiden back to play again the next day!  It was too cute!  When Saturday arrived and Bella woke up her first question of the day was ' When is Aiden coming over?'.  We heard that until Aiden actually arrived.  At dinner that evening they announced that they were buddies who played well together and had fun together.  Aiden said 'That's because we love each other!'  Kids, gotta love them!

Buddies!
We also celebrated Jim's birthday on Saturday.  I gotta tell you, he probably has the worst birthday of all.  By the time his birthday arrives everyone is so tired of partying and eating out and all that it is kinda like- oh yeah, happy birthday!  Even Jim.  For his birthday dinner this year he wanted chili, so we had chili.  He was tired of heavy meals and eating out and thought chili would be good to have while the football games were on and to have as leftovers the next day as well.  So, chili it was!  Lucky me. 
Jim opened his gifts and was quite happy with his presents as well, especially his heated bird bath.  (The birds like it too!) 

So, that is it for the celebrations.  Now we are back to school and work and trying to get back to a normal routine.  Not easy to do.  I'd like nothing more than a nice long nap about now!  
Until the next time-
Karen

4 comments:

  1. Hope you get better soon! Thanks for sharing the pics of your holiday!

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  2. thank you for your comment on my blog. I love to see all the photos of your family!

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  3. looks like you had a wonderful christmas! great family photos!

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  4. Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas with your family. I love that Bella knows that she is a lucky little girl :)

    I hope you feel better soon. I was ill all during the holidays as well, actually I still am :(

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