All I Want for Christmas...

Seems this time of year we all get crazy with Christmas decorating, shopping, etc. I usually do (and have had my share of moments already this year), but this year I want to focus on family and friends. With the out-of-state/country grandchildren coming in this weekend, I've attempted to get as many of the "have-to's" out of the way so I can enjoy spending time with them. But that doesn't mean I haven't already had some fun! Here are some of the things I've been doing lately --




Spending one day a week with Jack has been on my agenda for the last couple of weeks. Isn't he a handsome little guy? He has such a sweet disposition. (His Aunt Charlotte talks of his ability to regurgitate on her on a regular basis - he doesn't do that to me!) :)






I've had the opportunity to spend some fun time with Kailee and Caitlin these last couple of weeks. (Caitlin is not in the pictures - she refused to let me take her picture. I honored her request, as I, too, do not like the camera!) One afternoon we painted ornaments for their friends. Last Saturday evening I had the chance to play a lot of games with them and even taught them how to play Bananagrams. (Dave thinks I'm crazy over that game and groaned when he saw I was teaching them how to play!)









Our annual Cookie Party was great fun. We bring six dozen cookies and go home with six dozen of assorted cookies. All kinds of good cookies came to the party - pretty poinsetta cookies, wonderful meringue date cookies, turtle cookies, brownie cookies, sugar cookies, mint pillow cookies - you just had to be there! The best part of the party is getting a chance to visit with friends, some that we don't see very often. It's becoming a day we look forward to every year, more for the friendship than for the cookies!


So, I've already started on my mission to have this season be more about friends and family and less about the commercial aspects associated with Christmas. Wish me luck on continuing my quest!!