A Bunch of Happy Kids!

The kids and the Grandkids have opened their presents and the Grandkids got pretty much all the major things that they hoped and dreamed for, and all are contented. I think the boys got a big thrill with the KING KONG video game. I got a new jogging suit and tee shirt from my Wendy and family and I got a beautiful blue gazing ball and stand for my garden, from Caroline and family. My Hubby was shocked and thrilled to get a beautiful DAD ring from Caroline and Frank, it took his breath away when he opened it. This afternoon we took it to the store for a free sizing to his sausage size fingers! Can you believe he measured a HUGE size 15-1/2 ring size!

I took video of the whole opening process, but forgot to grab my still camera until after the presents were opened. My hubby did a little trick to slow the opening process of the kids by , one at a time, having one of them bring up 3 presents from their pile and asking them if they wanted to open gift number 1, gift number 2, or gift number 3.... they then could open only the one they picked, in front of him and all of us, and put the other two gifts back in the pile. He did this with each kid, one at a time, and this slowed the rush to open them faster. This way we all got to see the joy in their face as they opened each gift. Now that the kids are older, he doesn't dress in his Santa suit and play POPPA CLAUSE as he used to.. but he still enjoys controlling the mayhem that can happen if the kids just torn into them!

The dinner of stuffed cabbage, turned out great and there was NO leftovers after everyone got their fill. Even my Aunt and Uncle and Cousin really enjoyed their selves.



This is Wendy and Mark and the grandkids, Sarah and Matthew, Happy kids!










This is Caroline, with Frank, and with Grandkids, Amber and Darin. Amber is holding her new electric guitar in the box, Darin got one too.
I think everyone looks very happy this Christmas.

Cookies, Cookies, EVERYWHERE!

Due to popular request, and pleadings from my other half, I have just finished baking Cookies, and MORE Cookies until my arms are falling off!! And he has been SHOVELING them in his stomach as fast as he can! He comes home from work, or in the morning with his coffee, and eats a big handfull armed with a big glass of milk and his plate full of cookies. At this rate, I wonder if any will make it to serve my guests during the Christmas Day festivities!

I made the popular peanut butter cookie, the Oatmeal raisin, the Thumbprint with raspberry preserves on top, the sugar cookie rollouts, hand cut with my varied cookie cutters by me and my granddaughter, with icing and sprinkles, the date cookies rolled in a a delicate dough like a pinwheel, and the ever favorite, Chocolate chip, some with nuts, and some without!

This morning, at the end of washing all the pans and bowls, and getting the kitchen cleaned up, I look at all the storage containers filled with the cookies, and I wonder, how long will they last at the pace my Hubby is consuming them. Already the Oatmeal and chocolate chips are going fast, and he's made a big dent in the Sugar cookies last night, (He couldn't wait to hit those). I sit here with sore back and arms that I can barely hold upright, wondering if it was worth the trouble. I say SURE! It's worth it to see the delight in my Hubby's eyes and smile as he devours another piece, but I just hope I can keep a few to display, and offer for the rest of the family and my Aunt and Uncle who are coming for dinner on Christmas day!

Actually, this is the only time of the year that I do this much baking, and with me being sick and in the hospital from Thanksgiving through the end of January last year, my Hubby and my family missed out on all the goodies all through the holidays last year. Our favorite Christmas Dinner is Galumpky, or stuffed cabbage, and we plan to make it this year with the help of my Caroline. Last year, Caroline tried to keep up the tradition, and she made the stuffed cabbage herself for the first time, and she did a great job (the family liked it). She even brought a plate to me in the hospital, but at that time it didn't go well on my stomach, with all the pain pills and medication I was on, but it had a nice taste anyway.

I recently discovered another lump on my jaw, smaller than the tumor that was taken off back in June, but the doctor that operated on me before is trying to get it down with antibiotics, if it does not go down, (which so far it hasn't) then he might have to operate on me again to get it out. Hopefully, he won't have to cut me so much, this time. But, that will be After I enjoy the Holidays with all my family again. Let's hope that the New Year brings better health and happiness to me, my family, and to ALL MY FRIENDS in the Blog world! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF YOU!

Decorated and Ready for Santa

This is my singing dolls for me and the grandkids to play with

My little blue tree in the dining room and a look at the mirrored wall of the entire dining room...









This is the big red and white tree in the game room, right next to the family room. Note part of the table with a big checkerboard on it in the corner of the pic. Getting ready for Santa now.