Christmas!

 My Momma sitting in her comfy chair on Christmas morning.

 Dave and Sasha.  My mom made Sasha the beautiful quilt.  Sasha also received pearl earrings and a necklace from my sister and her husband. 

 Rex and my Mom

 Rex, Granny, Sasha, and Jayson !

What a great looking group of folks.

 

Dave and I.  We actually took a good picture together.  

 

Our family:  Jayson, Dave, Sasha and Me.  Sarah didn't come over, so she was missing. 

  

Me, Rex, my sister Pam, and Mom

     We had a great Christmas this year.  We had the Mathison clan over on Christmas Eve.  It was a lot of fun.  Alice, Ken, Debbie, Trevor, Brianna, Don, Liza, Rosemary, Billy ( Rose's boyfriend) and our family was all there.  We ate prime rib, mashed potatoes, sweet carrots, fruit salad, and these amazing rolls.

     On Christmas morning, we opened our presents then visited our friends the Hoeppner's for about 45 minutes.  Then we headed off to my mom's house for the day and dinner.  It was a great time there too.  Dinner was delicious.  I always love spending time with the family.  

 

Ramblings and such

      I am officially on vacation mode even though I am not taking time off until the 23rd.  I don't know why I feel different, but I do.  I have too many things to do on my "to do" list, but after they are all done, I will feel totally ready to be "Christmas Ready".  I know, it shouldn't be hard to enjoy the real reason for the season. Christ is who I adore, and celebrating his birth, even though it didn't actually happen on December 25, is really a fun time.  I love the Carols and hymns  that help me feel the Spirit. I went to two concerts this week.  Jayson had his band concert on Wednesday and Sasha had her choir concert last night ( Thursday).
     Jayson's band concert was amazing. Those kids have such talent.  Most have only been performing a year or less.  They are proud of themselves and they have more courage than I ever did at their age.  Their teacher expects them to be in small groups to perform small musical numbers.   Like I would have ever though of doing that when I was in 7th grade.  Those kids eat it up.   And they are actually good.  Jayson is playing Baritone this year so it is like he is a beginning student.  The only difference is that he knows how to read music, but just has to learn the fingerings for the Baritone because he decided to learn the bass cleff version instead of the treble cleff version. 
     Sasha is an amazing singer.  She sings alto and I love to hear her talented harmonic voice.  She can hear harmonies even if there aren't any...she puts them in anyway and I LOVE it. They sang many Christmas carols.  I love that he choir director believes in Christmas and isn't afraid to have the kids sing those songs. 
     I am blessed to have music in my life.  Without it....my happiness would be less ...happy!

We have Christmas Lights!!

For the first time in several years, we have Christmas lights. Dave and Jayson surprised me a few days ago and this is what they did. We even put blue lights up in honor of the 4 Police from Lakewood that died a year ago. Doesn't it look nice?

Christmas at Granny's house

My Mom, Linda, at her table getting ready for Christmas dinner.

Matthew, Ryley, Stephanie, and Hannah Hughes, Andrew Hoffman, Sarah, Jayson and Sasha Mathison at Granny's house in front of the Christmas tree.

Granny and Stephanie getting ready to make crescent rolls

Sarah and Ryley

Pam, Mom ( Granny) and Me

We went to my Mom's house for Christmas dinner. We also went there on Christmas Eve so that we could see my sister Pam and her family. It was wonderful seeing everyone. We were all together for Christmas. My Mom was so happy to have all of her "people" there at the same time. Even Stephanie from Texas and Andrew who is in the Coast Guard was there. It was great. Family is the best part of Christmas.

Christmas Morning 2009

Dave and his newest videos: Star Trek and Young Frankenstein

Andrea and her new counter top convection oven

Jayson, Sarah, and Sasha

Jayson, Sarah, Andrea and Sasha with the kids' stockings

Jayson, Sarah, and Sasha

Christmas this year was quiet and nice. Everyone was home, with the exception of Heather and Mike. Sarah was supposed to go to Oklahoma to see Rick and his family, but because of the blizzards in Midwest, her flights were canceled two days in a row. She was bummed big time over that. The good thing for us was that she was able to spend it with us. We went to Dave's sister's house on Christmas Eve for dinner and presents, then on Christmas day, we went to my mom's house for a mid afternoon dinner of prime rib. It was super. I love Christmas!