a "grand" weekend

C.W. came to call this weekend.

We played Sorry and Uno and Guess Who.

We bounced on our mini-trampoline 

and blew bubbles...

and of course, we played with cars and trucks!

I bought that map when he was about 2 years old.

At 7, he still plays with it every time he comes.

We also went to Chuck E Cheese, Bass Pro Shop,

the movies to see Frozen and Pet Smart.

If you've never been to a Bass Pro Shop...it is quite an adventure.

It is huge and the decor is really elaborate...bears, fish,

ducks, pheasants, turkeys, beavers... everywhere.

Boats and piers mounted on the wall,

water wheels and "horse-drawn" wagons at the front door!

Oh, and Little E joined us for Pet Smart...

bouncing...

and bubbles!

It was a "grand" weekend for sure! :-)

free flicks!

I have seen three good movies in the last month...

must be a record or something!

First...

Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks were great

and it gives you a new perspective

on the "Mary Poppins" story and movie.

A REALLY good movie!

Second...

Now, I never saw the original so

I can't make a comparison, but I really

thought this one was entertaining.

Ben Stiller is great and it has a 

sweet ending.

Third...

Just saw this today with C.W.

Beautiful animation, nice story.

Unusual to have so many good, clean movies

available at the same time...a real treat!

And part of our Christmas gift from the Doc

was a gift card to the theater...so I get to go for FREE!!

Thanks for all the kind comments about my 

quilting attempts. You are an encouragement to me!!

q is for "quicker" quilting

It's late so this will be short and sweet!

But I did want to share pictures of my

second completed quilt.

They aren't the best because I forgot

to take any until after the recipient had opened it,

So, they were done hurriedly as we were headed to dinner.

Her favorite color is green and she loves hot tea, so 

(it's hard to tell but) the floral fabric has a green background

with tea pots and cups on it.

That was my "inspiration" fabric.

Then I chose 6 other fabrics to co-ordinate.

My machine is digital and has some decorative stictches

programmed into it...helpful

for beginners like me!

My Friend, Kandi, with her birthday gift.

She loved it and I loved making it for her! :-)

Now, for all the "real" quilters out there...

I know this does not compare with the time and skill 

that you put into your pieced and hand quilted

masterpieces. But this is about as complicated as

I can handle. I don't have the patience or the know-how

to do what you do!

So, please know that you will always have my sincerest respect

and I hope it doesn't offend you that I have the audacity

to call my little creations...quilts! :-)

dinner, anyone?

Some of you may remember that each year

we have a Ladies Christmas Dinner

at our church.

Individuals agree to decorate tables,

a program is planned, tickets are sold,

and...voila! you've got a party!!

I volunteered to be responsible for a table

again this year.

We used this blue fabric at my daughter's wedding reception in 2010...

so glad I kept it!

 

The angel ornament was a favor for the guests at my table.

 

The white cloth napkins were my mom's.

Here are a few of the more than 20 other beautiful tables.

It's interesting to see how each person's personality

is reflected in their choice of decorations.

I was happy to have some of my very favorite people

join me for the evening...

my Miss Sally, my other mother...

my sweet daughter...

and my forever friend, Danna!

 

 It was a lovely evening. We had a delicious meal,

our speaker was funny and encouraging,

and the opportunity to spend time with

people I love was a blessing.

So glad our church does this...

it really is a special event!

 

pink or blue?

OK, the other big event from December

was finding out whether our

son and daughter-in-law in Tenn were having

a boy or a girl in May.

They already have the two girls.

Well...

It's a BOY!!!

(The balloons had blue confetti in them)

They are thrilled, the girls are thrilled,

and the rest of the family is petty happy, too!

You should have heard all the squealing and seen all the hugging!

We have 4 granddaughters and when this little guy

gets here, we will have 3 grandsons.

The boys are catching up!!

We can't wait to see his sweet face!!

our littlest man

Our newest grandson is here...

 ....sweet Little C was born on Dec. 21!

He weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.

Daddy getting to know his son!

 

If we look tired, it's because none of us got much

sleep the night before!

But, who cares when a baby is on the way!

I had a turn admiring him and so did...

Nana, our son-in-law's mom.

Mom and Dad... so happy that he is here and healthy!

 

Chief saying hello to our littlest man.

 

He looks content to me!

I love this picture...

Little E meeting her baby "brudder"

for the first time.

Two and a half weeks later...he's gained

1 1/2 lbs and has grown 3/4 in!

Mama's milk does a body good!! :-)

He looks pretty happy about it!

 

We are so grateful for this precious gift from

God to our family and

 look forward to watching him grow.

Our prayer is that he will

"love the Lord with all his heart

soul, mind and strength",

that his life will be a testimony

of the goodness and faithfulness of 

his Heavenly Father, and that

Jesus will be his best friend.

We love you, Little C!!