happy new year 12/31/23

That's a cool date: 123123

And we were here, having a pleasantly boring New Year's Eve, spent in a warm, quiet house with people I love.

Happy New Year, you guys.

Love you like crazy,  MOM
 

happy birthday

It was a great day for a birthday party.

They were setting off confetti blasters out in the yard.

Happy birthday, beautiful boy.

Thank you for all the happiness you've brought us.

In the whole world there's nobody else who could ever be you.

Lucky little old us.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa and Everybody
 

saturday night

Earlier today I realized we had a quiet Saturday night ahead of us and thought maybe some people I know would like to be rid of their kids and go out to dinner.

So  I called, and they were definitely happy to do that.

So we had these guys here for supper. Grandpa made pancakes and sausage, hash browns and scrambled eggs, and a couple hours went by very fast.

I love you all. Thanks for making this a very nice Saturday night.

Love, Grandma aka MOM
 

christmas day

Mark and Barb hosted again, and it is always a laid back afternoon, feast and fun.

The kids all gathered to open this huge ball of saran wrap embedded with gifts and gift cards.

They were enthusiastic about the game, had a blast, loved the gifts they'd wrapped all up in here.

Thank you again for having all of us and making Christmas Day special.

Love always, Val and Jay and Everybody
 

christmas eve

Pam and Paul had covid in their house, so the Christmas Eve party was postponed.

Everyone had to find other ways to celebrate that evening. Many had other parties to go to already, and the rest of us improvised. 

We teamed up with Heidi's family for an evening of pizza and crafts, movies.

Also games--we played Yahtzee and Monopoly Jr, which is pretty exciting with these people. They're into it.

She's working on a coloring project:

Later in the evening we had our usual Midnight Santa, which is a sweet and pleasant tradition that emerged as the kids got older.

None of us want to be up early. We have way more energy late than any of us will in the morning.

Anyway, it was a lovely way to end the evening.

Merry Christmas all of you.

Love you so, Val, aka Grandma, aka MOM

family christmas party

 

This is something about Pokemon:

A lovely nap in the spare bedroom:

Merry Christmas and so much love, MOM