Our Christmas

This year we didn't travel to see any of the kids so it was just me and Fred. My Dad was here also, but he is a Scrooge so I didn't equate him into any of our plans. 

At work, I found two of my friends who would also be without family this year so we made plans.

Christmas Eve Fred and I attended a Christmas Service at the Dixie Convention Center.

We met Becky and Angel there. This is the Worship Band (I think that is what they called it)

The flow of the evening was very much one of our Christmas Sacrament meetings.

The pastor read from their Bible the story of Christ's birth and there was music performed in between.

About half of the songs were traditional Christmas songs, but they were sung in Pop style. 

Plus they added their own verses. They projected the words of every song on the screen so we could sing along. 

The band was good, but their singers were nothing special. Kind of like me singing. I can sing, but I'm not a soloist. These people were definitely not soloists. 

After the Service was over, we found Denny's was open so we went to grab some breakfast. We didn't have to time to eat beforehand and neither did Becky & Angel.

Christmas morning I was up early. So I decided to put a little more effort into the day.

I made this breakfast casserole. I'll tweak it a bit if I make it again.

I took pictures of all my decorating. Last year I didn't decorate at all. Absolutely nothing.

I wanted to do better this year, but I did keep VERY MINIMAL.

I put our little tree up and only hung ornaments that were made by our children and grandchildren. 

A few special ones like our First Christmas and all the First Christmas ornaments that we had for our children. It was just the right amount of decorations. 

 I've had that little Christmas Caroler ornament for probably 35 years. 

My sister gave it to me. Even though we are kind of estranged, I can't part with it. 

Believe me I went through all my Christmas decorations and got rid of a whole lot more.

 These are the Christmas cards from Corinne & Scott's family.

 I set up my two little nativities. I  have a big one, but I didn't want to use it this year. 

I also put up new pictures of Corinne and Scott's children. I need to print one of Shannon's.

 Even though we have spent a lot of money during the year and recently on big items, I still wanted to give Fred a few gifts and I really like to receive gifts too. 

I got online for Black Friday and Kohls had some pretty cool electronic items I thought would be fun for Fred. He assured me that he hadn't gotten me much. I don't care much. I just want to know that he thought of me and took the time to pick out something. I think that is how I've been feeling about gifts..... I am happy to know that the person set aside time to either look for a gift or searched through cards for just the right one. 

It means a lot to me. 

 We both got 4 gifts which included one from some friends.

 When I pulled out my 9x13 pans to make breakfast, I said to myself it was about time to get a new one. They are looking kind of worn out. 

Then we opened this gift from our friends and WOW!!! 

 I have had two wall collage frames for at least a year if not longer. I finally decided to fill them up and hang them. I already have one filled with pictures of Shannon's family from two years ago that I have never hung up, so realized this would be perfect. One collage for each family. I ordered a bunch of prints from Costco.

At the last moment, I decided to use one of the frames for all three families and give it to the Daly's for Christmas so they can hang it in their new apartment.

I think it turned out just right.

I ordered another collage frame and am reordering picture so I can finish with my original plan.

I think I will hang them in our bedroom.   

 Several weeks ago I asked Fred if his parents were using the digital frame we gave them about 10 years ago. He didn't think so and I asked if I could have it then. He said he would look for it.

Well he bought me my own. 

 Kohls had a great deal on these smart watches. I wanted to get it for Fred. He wears a digital display watch because he likes numbers and not a face watch. That's all good, but I wanted to have him step out of his comfort zone. Hopefully before too long he will set it up and actually wear it.

 I looked through the wireless chargers and did my best guess as to which would work for our Samsung products. Again - great deal on this. 

 Fred did good with this gift card to Sephora.

 At noon we met our friends from work at the theater to see The Grinch.

I'm sitting by Becky (also my hairdresser) and Janie is our HR Mgr.

Fred is sitting by Becky's husband Angel and that leaves Ron with Janie.

All of us (except Fred) work together. 

The movie was good. Becky laughed A LOT!!!

I found one of the very few restaurants open. Black Bear Diner.

The food was very good and the company was the BEST.

We skyped with Corinne first to watch everyone open the gifts we gave them. I don't know why we haven't done that in years past. We usually skype after the fact. Next was Scott and Jess. I really enjoyed sharing that time even if it wasn't in person. I'm so thankful Skype exists. It helps so much since none of our children live nearby. We skyped with Shannon after we got home from dinner. The kids gave us a tour of their gifts. They had already opened ours which was just fine. 

So it was a really nice Christmas this year. But I do want to be with one of the kids next year. 

It's much more enjoyable to be with your own family.

Work Christmas party

My company holds a Christmas Party each year.

We've held it here at the building because we have a huge conference room and our cafeteria in house. 

Our Cafeteria manager caters the event. 

Here we are in our party clothes.

I want you to meet all of my special friends!

This is Amy. She is the new Pam. 

I met her the first time in Christopher Banks in the Mall.

She has been working there for years. Every time I went in we had so much fun together.

When she walked in the door for the interview, we both were happy to see one another.

She was the one. She is FANTASTIC and has made coming to work so much fun!

Every one loves her. She is bright and happy.

This is Becky and Angel. Becky also is my hairdresser.

We are going together to a Christmas Eve Service at the Dixie Center next week. 

Neither of their children are coming home for Christmas, so they are just like us.

Alone! Not anymore. On Christmas Day we are going to go see The Grinch and eat at Black Bear Diner. 

It's the only place I've found that is open.

Becky and I are also walking at lunch together. She is a wonderful friend!

 Now one of my MOST FAVORITE lunch/joke buddies.

This is Kason and his wife Melanie.

He is so much fun. He is the Accounting Manager. 

 This is Usha and Jeff. Usha (pronounced Wisha) She works in Research & Development.

She is someone that I enjoy. 

This is Cecilia & Danny. She is one of my backups when I go on vacations or covers at lunch when needed. 

She is the payroll clerk. Over the years they have had her do a lot of stuff. 

HR being one of them. She is overlooked when it comes to recognition of dedicated employees.

 This is Amy. We have become bosom buddies. 

She is so much fun. We laugh A LOT!!

 Matt & Shauna. Matt is also a lunch buddy.

I really like Matt. I think we have a nice friendship.

For some strange reason it just seems to happen that whenever he walks by,

I yawn. He noticed it. Gives me crap about every time. 

I try to reassure him that it's just that I'm so comfortable around him I relax.

He acts all hurt like I yawn because he's boring.

This is Janie with Amy.

Janie is our HR Manager. 

She is a great new friend too. We have a lot of fun together.

She has made a difference around here since she came on board.

This is Sandra Morales. She is about 34 now. She has MS. When I started here five years ago, she was walking around just fine. She has three children and her husband comes and picks her up everyday. She is the sweetest and kindest person. 

You can see my station at the front desk on the left.

We decorate and have hors d'oeuvres set up down here.

This is our Christmas Committee. 

The guitar player is Janie's husband. The guy with gray hair and a beard is my boss Mark.

Vickie on the end headed up the committee.

Bryan and I interact a lot. He is the one that administers the drug test on new hires.

He's a good guy.

This is how the conference room was decorated.

 So you have met my special friends. 

Merry Christmas!!

Meeting Clara

Fred and I flew to Idaho for Clara's Blessing.

She was in the kitchen when we got here.

This was our first sighting of her in person. 

  Now these are all the pictures from my cell phone.

Here is Grandpa Fred.

 He was happy to hold her.

 He still has the knack. I remember him holding our babies just like this.

 I got to hold her A LOT!!!!!

 There was a bit of competition with Spencer for holding her.

 I don't like that I won't see her again for longer than I like to acknowledge.

Grandpa Fred played games with the boys all weekend.

Both of us really enjoyed our time with Henry.

He has really grown up. 

 Spencer cuddles Clara the most. He is the most tender with her.

 The timing was perfect for us to attend a Christmas Nativity Concert for Garrett and Spencer.

It was an amazing performance. Fred and I have attended a lot of high school string concerts.

None were ever as good as this one. There was not a single sour note played. 

It was all beautiful.

 Ben's parents and his sister Stephanie's children attended.

Here we all are.

 Here is a group photo.

Garrett and Spencer on the end on the right.

 There was an outdoor Nativity that was something else.

Fire pits that were very warm. It was quite a production.

 Saturday everyone came to our hotel to swim. 

Our hotel was fabulous. One of the nicest rooms we've had in a long time.

We want to stay here from now on. It was pretty close to Corinne's.

 Here's the gang with Fred.

 Ben had to leave for a choir practice.

 We went back to Corinne's and spent the day playing games.

I even played games. It was fun.

I went to Walmart a couple of times to buy Corinne some stuff.

Sunday morning we woke up to snow.

 Here is everyone who came for Clara's blessing.

My Dad, Margo and Gary, Stephanie and her family and us.

It was a really wonderful gathering. I'm so glad we could be there for this special day.

I'm so grateful for Clara coming to this family.

She brings a softness and tenderness to the boys.

 Here she is. It's funny how I'm so used to looking at Corinne's boys. 

Clara, she just doesn't look like any of the boys. She has a completely different look.

Not like Corinne, not like Ben. She will be fun to watch as she develops into her little self.

When Corinne called to tell me she was expecting, I was shocked and honestly, not happy.

It was not my plan for her. Now I am so grateful and thankful for this little girl.

She is part of God's plan for our family.