snow

It's been dark, short days, long nights, no snow, gloomy.

It is December, no big surprise, but it is surprising how much snow brightens things up, reflects light.

Even all the lights strung, lights in the house, twinkle lights everywhere, still feels like night all the time.

 

Presents are wrapped, and the last orders were delivered yesterday.  Only a few more days now until Christmas.

So much  love, Val

baby smiles

It was fun on a dark afternoon.

He is SMILING!

We watched Jingle All the Way, and they liked it.

 

Love, Grandma

holiday events

The Nutcracker, well done.

Basketball, some intense games:

Christmas program at church with Santa and a craft sale, pizza for lunch afterward:

More basketball:

A beautiful choir concert, first event we've been to at the new school. The choir director is a saint, and the girls sang so beautifully.

At the same time this kid had a choir concert across town, and Jay went to that.  He said it was very nice, and our guy even had a speaking role.

Kari and Julia went to the orchestra concert of the other kids--three occasions in one night!   No pics, Julia said they were experiencing the moment, and it did sound fun.  The other grandparents were there and the kids are getting good at their instruments.

We're down to the last few days before Christmas now.

Love you all, Grandma

 

annual santa picture

It's getting late and it took so long to load all the pictures, so this is it for tonight:

The annual Santa picture.

Christmas 2024, you're looking real good.

Love, Grandma, aka MOM
 

a secure animal

We bought these security cameras at Costco last week.   They weren't too expensive, don't have doorbells or do anything special except keep an eye on the doors.

We did this because Elin always wants to be outside, loves her back steps,  and she persistently sneaks herself outside even when its too cold. Then she realizes, and hopefully one of us hear her banging on the door and let her back in again.

But when it is as cold as today its kind of dangerous.  She could potentially end up stuck outside for hours, maybe even freeze to death.  That's terrifying.

Anyway.

The camera notifies our cell phones if people or animals go past the cameras.

It identifies Elin as Animal.

Seriously.

I admit I was a little shocked by this, a tad bit startled because I don't think of her as an ANIMAL.

ANIMAL?

Please.
 

I told her about this, "Darling they call you an animal!" and I swear she snickered.  I kissed the side of her velvety face and she kissed me back.

Animal. 

Love, Mom

babysitting monday

He's just not comfortable with these insane toys, but he is intrigued.

We were successful.  Food was eaten, naps were taken, all good.

Love you all so very much, MOM, aka Grandma

basketball pics

While we were baking cookies Jay was at basketball.

He took quite a few nice pics and had a really good time.

Love you all so, Grandma
 

frosting and a christmas program

Christmas program at church this morning, always beautiful.

Then these kids were able to come home with us for the afternoon to help decorate cookies and hang out for a while.   That was an unexpected and happy surprise!

The kids at home were surprised too.

And this guy came over to eat tater tot casserole and help decorate.  He seemed quite pleased about it all.

This picture is quite funny--our faces!

What a perfect Sunday.

Love you all like crazy, Mom, aka Grandma