Jingle Bell Rock

A kick line and some dancing along with Gran...

And the dancing Santa on her table.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is always a busy day for some reason.

Yesterday I woke up and went for a jog, and then started my Christmas baking.  Four hours of Christmas baking.


Running clothes still on.
With my Christmas apron.
And my cap turned around... because that's when you know the baking has gotten serious. ;)

I appreciate that Jason documented this snazzy look.

Caroline started running a fever that afternoon.  :(  Jason stayed home with her while Sarah and Jack went with me to church for our Christmas Eve service.

While we were gone, Gran came to visit Caroline and gave her an early Christmas gift to cheer her up.  It's no fun being sick on Christmas Eve.

Thank you, Gran! :)

Our weekend

This weekend Jason took the kids to the farm to see Gran, Aunt Kim, and Uncle Brian.

Here they are... Loaded up and ready to have some fun!!

Then at the farm. 

Snacks...
I just noticed that this appears to be chocolate cake with white icing.  MMMMM.  I'm jealous!

Flying kites...

Roasting hot dogs for dinner and s'mores for dessert...

They drove the golf cart, the little Jeep, played on the swing set, took "baths" in the hot tub, played with the dogs....

They came home exhausted but telling me TONS of stories of all the fun they had.  They kept telling me it was a GREAT weekend!!

.........

And in case you're wondering if I had a great weekend too...
I did. :)

I tried to alternate between one thing I had to do and one thing I wanted to do.  For example, I cleaned the house; then I went shopping.  I slept in, but then I went to the grocery store. By the time everyone came home today, the house was clean, laundry was done, and groceries were bought and put away.

I had dinner both nights with Mom (and Dad on Saturday).  Last night the 3 of us played board games, which was a good time. 

I think the best parts of having the kids gone for the weekend-- (a) I enjoyed sleeping late and (b) watching what I wanted to watch on the big TV in the den. It's the little things that bring me joy.  :)

Jim (and the festival in Meridian)

Today they got MRI results back and Jim's tumor has grown more. On Tuesday, the doctor has requested that all immediate family members meet with him to discuss some things. I don't know what "some things" include but we're assuming timeline, keeping Jim comfortable, and letting Jim know that the tumor has grown. Thus far no one has ever told Jim the gravity of the situation. He has never heard that he's not expected to live much longer. Jason thinks that on Tuesday he'll finally found out. So if you could keep Jim, Jason, Kim, and Paulette in your prayers, I'd appreciate it so much.

.......

A few weeks ago when Jason was at the farm, the community had a big get together. Jim really wanted to attend. It was apparently very windy and, unfortunately, not as many people showed up as they had hoped. But I thought I'd post the pics that Jason took.

They loaded up the golf cart so that Jim wouldn't have to do much walking at the festival.

Then they headed out for some fun, food, and socializin'.

I don't really know if it was a celebration of heritage or the founding of the town. There were teepees and chuckwagons. So I'm not really sure.

And one of the funniest things is that in Bosque County (Meridian, being the county seat) prisoners actually wear striped uniforms and have to work around town, like at the food pantry. Or picking up trash.

Then there was literally a dog and pony show. Both animals apparently did tricks. It was a hit!

I'm so glad that Jim had a good day and Jason was taking pictures.