Christmas Catch-Up

Hello, my friends!

I hope this finds each of you well after all of your Christmas-ing!

Ours began on Friday after the Tennessee Bunch got into town late Thursday night.

There was really no special agenda on Friday...mostly just hangin' out and chillin'.

Oh yeah...and there was yet another bird rescue.

It seems like every other day a bird flies into one of our window panes.

It didn't look too promising for this little tufted titmouse...we thought he was a goner for a while.

 

 

After about fifteen minutes and some TLC from Adam, off he flew into the bushes!

It amazes me how they can look like death one minute and just like that,

they are able to fly away!

Later, we ordered pizza and played a little game of "Who gets to open a present?"

Aaron wanted his dad to open his gift early since he had gotten him a propane smoker.

He wanted to help him "break it in" by cooking a Boston butt for our official get-together Saturday.

So after we all enjoyed the pizza, we had a little drawing to see who would "win."

Needless to say, the game was rigged. 😁

You're sure to pick the right winner when those little pieces of paper in the basket

had Pawpaw's name on ALL of them!

Jim had assumed that Aaron would be smoking the meat at his place and bringing it over...

...he had no clue he was actually getting his own smoker and helping to cook it!

~

Saturday was windy and quite cold but Aaron, Adam and Jim all took turns watching the meat...

...for hours...and hours...and hours. (I can't believe I didn't get one photo of them) 

Speaking of photos, we did get these shots of the two oldest grands in a "then and now" photo shoot.

I had made this stocking for Dacey when he was born and he was so tiny that he fit inside.

 

 

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the fact the he turned 20 in November.

 

 

...and Dylan had his 18th birthday just a few weeks ago!

 

 

Unfortunately, there is no stocking picture of Dylan because I am a bad Mawmaw!

Yes, I made him a stocking...but it was just wee bit too small for him to fit in.

I'm not quite sure why I made Dacey's so big...

...I think it may be called "first grandchild syndrome". 😏

~

So finally after filling our tummies, the presents were unwrapped and just like that,

Christmas had come and gone...well...not really, but it kinda seemed that way.

 I forgot to mention the fact that Parker had started to feel a little scratchy throat coming on...

...and then a little later came the fever.

The plan all along had been for them to leave by noon on Sunday,

so the kids could be at their home for Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Well, it became necessary for them to make an extra trip to urgent care before they left.

What we thought was probably strep throat was actually diagnosed as Flu-A!

 

 

Not a fun way to spend Christmas vacation!

Olivia wasn't sick but she liked wearing the mask (probably a good idea)...looks pretty pitiful, huh?) 

The good news is that by Christmas Day, Parker had no fever and is now on the road to recovery...

...and so far, no one else seems to have come down with it, praise the Lord!

 ~

So Christmastime at the Ray house had pretty much come and gone.

Jim had to return to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so it was low-key from then on out.

After working 'til noon on Monday, I spent most of the next two days watching Christmas movies,

listening to beautiful carols and relaxing...along with these two lazy wieners.

 

 

And speaking of wieners, have I don't think I've shared these with you.

 

 

A few weeks before Christmas, I received a package in the mail from my long-time friend, Susie.

Some of you may remember my post from a couple of years back when she had gifted me

with a box of some of her cherished vintage treasures that she had been collecting for years.

Well, her kindness and generosity didn't stop there.

She told me she had seen this pattern for these pillows and right away thought of me.

She chose a brown suede-like fabric for the bodies and the red plaid for their sweaters was perfect!

And those glasses...how adorable are they?!

After piecing and stitching the doggies together (some of those pieces were teeny!),

Susie's sister helped her quilt them on her quilting machine.

 

 

Aren't they just the cutest??

I was beyond thrilled and totally blown away by this sweet gift she had given me!

Have you ever received a gift from someone, just out of the blue,

and wasn't even sure how to properly thank them?

Believe me, I'm still thinking...

~

Well, that was my Christmas and I am feeling blessed beyond measure.

God has been there for our family in so many ways, this year in particular.

So tomorrow I shall begin the process of taking down Christmas...it makes me a bit sad.

 I may leave the tree up until New Years Day...we'll see.

Until next time, dear friends....