The Busiest of Decembers

This year I had planned to cut back on activities, do less shopping, and make the Christmas season, a quieter and more peaceful time for the family. I did all that, but I can't believe how the whole month flew by and how hectic each week was even though I passed on a great number of activities that I usually participate in. Oh well, must be part of getting older!!! Remember, I turned the big 60 this year.



My friend, Rosa and I made out annual journey downtown to the Adolphus Christmas Parade the first Saturday. The parade was so great---new floats and new balloons this year. We talked about how much better this is than a small parade. Afterwards, we went over to the market to smell the greens and eat Mexican at a favorite restaurant that we found one year long ago.










This jumprope group was unbelievable. I could have watched them for awhile.





Lots of cartoon characters riding in the parade.

Luncheon

Several of my girlfriends and I attended the Friends of the Library Christmas luncheon in Rockwall. Linda, Rosa, Janice, Jan, and Earlene. What a great meal and fun time looking at all the decorated tables.








Businesses or members volunteer to decorate a table with their own Christmas dishes and elaborate decorations. A great opportunity to get decorating ideas.






One of my favorites--these glasses were beautiful!!

Meredith's Party

Meredith, my best friend's daughter, had a cookie decorating party for kids at her house. Stacey and I went over to watch the kids. What a great party watching all the kids decorate, do their crafts, and getting to hold the babies. Meredith's house was decorated so beautifully--here is her tree with Stacey holding Kenslea.







We all wore Christmas aprons and Santa hats. Here Meredith is reading to the guests to quieten them after all the sugar!!!




This little girl was so cute. She decorated so neatly--the little artist--and then turned to Mom and asked did they have to dry so here she is waiting on them to dry. She is probably the only one who took any home as the others ate them as fast as they decorated.




A reindeer with 5 EYES!!!!

I gave the kids their Christmas gifts after the party. Kenslea (14 months) got a baby stroller. She was so excited to push her baby around. She kept pulling the sunshade back to look down and see if the baby was there.









Such a cute little mother!!!




Cade (3 years, 9 months) who is really into trucks got a garbage truck that is a front loader.


What fun to watch their eyes light up and watch them play!! This brings back lots of memories of the good old days when John was younger.

Ornament Party

My annual ornament party for my neighbors was the week before Christmas. We enjoyed visiting, eating goodies that everyone brought, and playing games before we exchanged the ornaments.







Hard at work playing games.




Jan eyes the good food. Everyone outdoes themselves with the Christmas treats.




The whole bunch in front of the tree. (Earlene, Norma, Priscilla, Jan, Nancy, Marilyn, Caryn, Louann, Debbie, Deb---front row, Casey, Kellie, and Janice