Angel Topper

 Can I tell you how excited I am to have this new Angel for our tree??  My parents have one just like it that they got the first year they were married.  They have used every year since.  I remember it from when I was young and still at home.  We went to the antique store looking for a few new antique ornaments for our tree.  We found one like this but dirty and grey.  I almost bought it, but didn't know how to clean it.  We went to another antique store and as we were about to leave I saw this one on a shelf.  Woo-hoo!!  It's in perfect condition except the corners of one wing is bent.  I could hardly wait until my parents came over for Jaycee's birthday....waiting to see if they would notice it.

 My Dad added another snowman to our collection.  It's the one in front with the stripped scarf.  I think he makes 40 or so every year for all the kids, married grandkids, and neighbors.

 He also added 2 pieces to our nativity set.  It's fun to see what we get every year.  He's already started the camels for next year.

 It's almost time to take down the Christmas quilts and put all the decorations away.  Funny how anxious you get to decorate for Christmas....and then how you can't wait to put it all away and get back to normal.

 We've had this poinsettia for a week....and I haven't killed it yet!  ha ha  Maybe we can enjoy it for another month or so.

Wrapping and Parties.....all done

 I love to wrap Christmas presents.  Really...I do.  I go the day after Christmas and buy the wrapping paper, rolls of ribbon, and tags at Sam's.  My favorite has been this gold foil paper and the red/gold and gold/brown ribbon.

 It's not even Christmas Eve and I think all my wrapping is done....except 1 or 2 presents.

 We had the Christmas Party on the Raulston side last Sunday.  It was fun to get together and visit over good food and then play a couple of games.  It seems like the family just keeps growing every year.  

And finally.....I had to post my new hair color.  I went chocolate brown and purple.  I just LOVE the purple.  A lady who was getting her hair done the same time as me had bleach blonde with pink.  Hmmm.....I'm thinking that might be something to try next summer.  If I get brave enough.

December Birthday

 My Jaycee Lou turned 17 today.  I can't believe my baby is that old.  Doesn't seem like that long ago I was holding her in the hospital....relieved to have her here safe and sound.  Not any easy pregnancy at all. I feel bad that she has a December birthday.  We try to do some birthday decorations around the Christmas decorations.

 This is my sister's Christmas quilt (Tracy).  She's had is done since summer...but I just got around to quilting it.  I love the fabrics.

 I tried a new quilting design.  I saw something similar over at Green Fairy Quilts.  I've mentioned in previous posts about how much I love her quilting style.  Here's my version.  I'm really, really pleased with how it turned out.  I've been drawing it for a month or so and got brave enough to try it.  Glad my sisters let me practice on their quilts....ha ha!

 I can't wait to do it again.  I love it....just love the swirls and echoing.  

Coughing All The Way.....

 I'm in the middle of my second cold of the season.  This one hit in my chest and gave me a horrible cough.  I haven't coughed so much in years.  I've gone through a 12 oz bottle of NyQuil in a matter of days.  My chest and stomach hurt from coughing so much.  I'm exhausted.  I've spent the day in bed sleeping and resting.  Seriously...enough coughing already.  I just want to get better.

 In between naps I decided to catch up on a little blogging.  We had the family party for my side of the family on Sunday night.  The minute Brookie sees my camera she wants her picture taken.  She's so cute!

 Santa's Elf always drops off a bag of presents for the young grandkids and great-grandkids.  Grandpa pulls them carefully from the bag and calls out the names.  Katelynn was so anxious to get her present.  She stood by Grandpa O. and every time he reached in the bag she would get a big smile on her face....and then her face would just drop and look so sad when the present went to someone else.  It was so cute to watch.

 Finally.....this one has her name on it!

 Aunt Nanna got these animal pillow/blankets for the kids.  They were a big hit.  I know they will be well loved.

 Here's the guys working on their Lego kits that Santa's Elf brought them.  I didn't get very many pictures since I spent so much time in the other room hacking up a lung.  It was a fun night and so good to get together with all the family...except our Vegas family who can't make it up this time of year.  We miss them.  Nann, Grandpa, and Grandma went down after Thanksgiving and spent some time with them so we got to see some pictures of their kids opening their presents.