Family Day

Every December 24th, Jim and I, along with the kids and grandkids, spend the entire christmas eve day all together as one big happy family. I look forward to this one particular day all year long as it is the only day during the holiday season that I get my family all to myself. Selfish as that sounds, I wouldn't trade it for anything..... I love that day. I would love it even more if ALL of my kids and grandkids could be here. How I miss my children who do not live nearby!

This year we started out in Coronado at a little cafe, that turned out to be just a little bit smaller than we had thought. When we called the cafe to make our reservations, we thought we were making our reservations at the same cafe that we had eaten at a couple of years ago. Wrong! When Jim dropped me off out front, I went inside to let them know we were there.... slight problem, that cafe wasn't expecting us. Upon looking at the address of the cafe that we HAD made reservations at, we realized that that cafe was located further down the street. When we finally arrived at the right cafe, we nearly choked. It was the smallest cafe you could image and they were turning people away so that all of us could fit inside. Below is a picture of the outside and then of the inside. There truly was no room for anyone else but us!





Lindsey had a big bowl of oatmeal.



After breakfast, it was time to drive over to the Hotel Del. (One of these days I'm going to stay there!!) It was a beautiful day and the kids loved being near the ocean. Inside the Del, there was the coolest candy shop that all of the kids felt a need to go into. Keira LOVED the big glass dog that was right inside the door. She was constantly hugging him.



The kids know that Auntie Becka is one big sucker and that she will always keep them supplied with candy!



John and Christopher were worse than the kids!!



But then you had Casey.... ;-)



Michael and Casey are still our little honeymooners.



After Coronado, most of the guys decided to go and hang out on the Midway while the rest of us went over to Horton Plaza. The guys had a great time thanks to Aaron sharing his tickets.



Once the guys were done at the Midway, we all met up at Seaport Village. It was the most gorgeous day!! Here's a couple of my favorite pics. Thanks everyone!!

Roseville once again..

I'm back home in Alpine but I did want to share a couple of the houses in my son's neighborhood. I realize that it isn't the best of times to share these pictures as it is wintertime in Roseville and everything looks rather dead... but I still like the looks of these homes. The first one is my favorite. In the spring, the wisteria hangs down though the roof of the porch... it is simply stunning when in bloom. This house sits on a large, corner lot with a huge driveway to one side. On the other side of the house, which you can barely see to the right, a charming guest home is snuggled in quite nicely within the fence border. Out back there is a beautiful, large pool... that I'm sure the neighbors envy in the summertime. I especially love the balcony that sits above the porch roof. A great place to loose oneself in a good book don't you think? Click on the picture for even a better view!



This next house is much smaller but very typical of the other houses in the surrounding area. (Don't you just love that white picket fence?? Several of the houses had that same type of fence surrounding their homes. I thought it made each house quite homey looking!) Many of these houses had either a table with chairs sitting out on the front porch, or a couple of wooden chairs, or my favorite... big, old, wooden rocking chairs. I was ready to walk up and sit in one but I thought that might be incredibly rude.. especially if the home owner were to find a strange woman sitting out front. (It was very difficult to restrain myself from this temptation. ) ;-) On a side note: many of the homes in the area are for sale. I was saddened to see just how many.



The next picture shows the movie theatre in downtown Roseville. You got a small peek of downtown Roseville in my last post when I shared a picture of Main St with you. I would be remiss if I failed to share this picture as well. I thought it was a rather cool looking movie house.



And last.... but definitely not least.. I just had to share a picture of two of my granddaughters.... what kind of grandma would I be if I didn't share one of the best pictures that I had? Here is Miss Ashlynn and Miss Reilly looking lovely as always.

Roseville

I'm still here in Roseville, and I just had to share some pictures with you so that you could see the quaintness of the neighborhood that my son lives in. First stop... my son's house. I just love it! It is quite old and lovely with a full basement below where my son shoots most of his photography sessions.



The house across the street was a high school project many, many years ago. I can't even imagine the sense of accomplishment the students must have felt once the house was completed. Talk about homey!



Once you leave the neighborhood you need to cross this cute, little, crooked bridge; which runs over the train tracks...



...then turn right onto Main Street where one can continue their journey into a time long forgotten... pretty cool huh? This is the route I take each time that I take the girls to gymnastics.



At night you can hear the train as it travels lazily by on the tracks not far from the house. For reasons that I cannot explain the sound of that train is incredibly comforting to me and I love listening for it. The station is small but very sweet and is a great place to take a photograph or two.



I'll share some houses later.... Time to go to sleep.

Happy New Year!

No pictures this time around.... a good imagination will just have to do. I'm back up here in Roseville taking care of my granddaughters while my son and his wife are attending a seminar in San Diego. Since my trips up here are so rare, I soon forget the richness of the surrounding neighborhood that my son and his family live in. It's like lifting a thin veil and then stepping back into a time long forgotten. The streets are lined with trees that are now void of any foliage. The houses, some built with stone, others with brick, and many more having a combination of both wood siding with brick and/or stone, are warm and cozy looking. Most have those wonderful big, old porches with a couple of oversized chairs facing the street bidding one to stop and sit awhile. As a quilter, I can easily imagine women in years past, sitting out on those big, beautiful porches, hand quilting and chatting easily with one another about their children, their husbands' jobs, their joys, their concerns, and maybe even sharing a recipe or two.
The way I see it, we seem to have forgotten how to slow down and 'sit a spell' with the people that the Lord brings into our lives on a regular basis. I know in my last post, I reveled in the smells, colors, and sounds of christmas, but in my mind up here in Roseville, the smells, colors, and sounds that quickly overtake my mind are those of times past. Listening to my mom and aunts discussing not only different recipes, meals, and sewing, but also talking about their many plants that each had nurtured and cared for in their yards as well as in their homes. ( I will cherish those missed conversations forever.) I will also consider the screaming voices of the neighborhood children while they played and laughed with each other outside as something truly incredible.. instead of the annoyance I once thought it was.
The smell of biscuits and goulash cooking on the stove, or the aroma of cornbread and beans that my aunt used to make is also something I will never forget! Yumm! And how can one ever forget the delight in seeing pieces of leftover fabric or cut up, worn out clothing sewn into a beloved handmade quilt? I used to pour over those quilts looking for those little swatches that once were mine. Loved it... miss it.
With all of these thoughts in mind, it is my deepest wish and desire that everyone will experience, as I pray that I will too, the richness of family, the closeness of friends, and the ability and willingness to stop....... truly stop... and enjoy the many blessings that the Lord would love to bestow on each of us His children, in this bright and hopefully happy new year.

"Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat....."

At Christmastime around here, our home is filled with lots of music. The kids used to get so mad at me because I would want to start playing christmas music by the end of September or October. My reasoning never made sense to them but I am hoping that as they have grown older themselves, that they now understand why I love it so. I not only love the music (it's just not fair to only get three weeks of enjoyment over the most beautiful music ever written),but I also love the decorations, the smells, the sounds, the weather, hot chocolate by the fire, decorating the house, surprises, the memories, but best of all I love celebrating the incredible birth of Jesus Christ. It just cannot get any better than that. We are truly blessed aren't we? And one cannot forget all of the christmas programs and movies....... Again... I love this time of year. Hopefully you do too.

I have also been sewing like crazy to get the gifts done that I will be giving away this year. I am only sharing a few pictures at this time because I have already given these away. Tea towels. Everybody needs them and this waffle weave fabric is great. I buy it by the bolt out of New York and then cut it up for towels or even children's jackets. It is wonderful to work with and washes beautifully. Below are the towels along with a couple of jackets that I have made in the past. I have thrown in a few christmas stockings as well. The pink one is for my niece's new little one and the other two are for my daughter and son-in-law.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

The Case of the Missing Reindeer

I'm sorry.... I couldn't resist. I mean, he was just sitting there so innocently... right next to the one antler... and well.... I just had to put it on his sweet little head and take a picture. Now mind you, I always thought that those old ladies with a plethora of pictures of their grandkids were a little over the top. In fact... it drove me crazy. It was so nauseating to see just how many pictures they actually had of each child! (Probably more than they ever had of their own children.) "I will NEVER be like those women!" I told myself that very line every time that I was confronted with yet another album. And now look at me... it's pathetic! Here I am taking pictures of my sweet grandson with one antler on his head while his parents are at Disneyland with his sister. Well you know what son? That's what you get for leaving him with me. He just kind of brings out this awful side of me. Psssst... he's pretty cute though don't you think?

Merry Christmas... Happy Birthday!

December! This is always such a busy month for all of us isn't it??? But it is such a great month as well! In December we take time out to celebrate the birth of our wonderful Saviour and our soon & coming King. Talk about a gift.. how truly glorious that gift is and continues to be. It is truthfully the gift that just keeps giving. I must constantly remind myself to slow down and enjoy Him every moment of every day.... not just this month alone, but always.

For me, I also get the privilege of celebrating just a few more birthdays in the month of December that I want to acknowledge and make sure that they know I haven't forgotten them in all the hustle and bustle of this holiday season.

First: my daughter-in-law Lindsey. Today, December 9 is her day.. Happy Birthday Lindsey! How happy we are that you are part of this family. You have brought us so much joy! Have a great day at Disneyland today. Smooches.




Second: my mom. Her day is on the 15. We have had a wonderful time with her and dad living with us. You're the best mom ever! Happy birthday mom!!! Hugs and kisses. (I'm already missing you and you haven't even left yet!!)



Third: my twin boys. You two will always be my 'little' boys. I can never thank God enough for sending you guys to dad and me. You guys made our family complete. Happy Birthday guys!! Love you, mom



Fourth: my daughter Elizabeth. You were and always will be our 'little bit'. I miss you and the kids so much, you'll never know!!! (You too Ran-man) ;-) I can't stand the fact that you live so far away. (Tell your husband that I still haven't forgiven him!) Have a fun day Elizabeth. Love to you too, mom



I tried to make this blog short so that I wouldn't cry. I could have written on and on about each of you but I don't think there would have been enough room. I love you all!