Already a New Year! Let's Make it Great!

    I would have blogged sooner, but I was having technical difficulties! It is a wonder what restarting your computer can do!
    Well, because my husband and I are getting very close to being empty nesters and our children are mostly all adults.  We are in a transition period when it comes to the holidays.  This Christmas, there was only one tiny child with us, Baby Adrian.  He was a joy! Our other grandchildren are still in Kansas with their parents and they enjoyed a cold Christmas in Topeka! We missed them and our traditions were very different than the ones we have honored over the past 35 years.  But we still had a wonderful time.  Here is a picture story about our holiday fun. (At least the parts we remembered to photograph!)

Our tree. I always love the glow. Not as many little kids here, not as many gifts under it, but still beautiful. Every Christmas Eve, we all gather around it and sing carols. We call it "singing to the tree" because our oldest coined that phrase when he was very young. I think we are starting to sound pretty good!

    Because there was no one to wake us up before the crack of dawn, we slept in until 7:00.  As everyone made their way to our house from theirs, my husband said he was hungry, so we ate breakfast before opening gifts! Wow! That has never happened before! (Well, maybe once) It was really nice though. (I can't believe I posted a picture of myself in my Santa PJs  on here!) We all had fun together and look at Little Adrian, he is so adorable.  You don't think his grandpa likes him at all, do you?  Jessica on the couch is expecting grandchild #7!

     Lindsey and Austin demonstrate that stockings are still a big part of our traditions around here.  You will notice everyone sitting on the floor because we are remodeling and got rid of our living room furniture. Everyone came in with their hot orange punch or hot apple cider.  Believe it or not, it was actually a bit chilly in Phoenix this Christmas!

     Look at that face! He loves his Daniel Tiger! 

    The Sunday after Christmas we gathered with Glen's siblings to continue the celebration. It was fun to see my great-nephew playing with my grandson. And look at my beautiful great-niece! We shared Cocoa Bombs with everyone of course!  The following photos will show my children doing their Cocoa Bomb commercials! (They are a little bit crazy, but I love them.)

     You will probably be thrilled to know that we forgot to take pictures of my anniversary, my son's birthday and of New Years Eve and New Years Day. I guess you can probably see that we didn't get much rest during the Holiday Break from school.  I did remember to make sure that pictures were taken of my girls, son-in-law and grandson before they left.  I hated to see them go. Here they are:

     Well, mostly of Little Adrian.  He is such a doll baby. 

    We are so blessed.  My New Year Resolution is to be thankful everyday for these blessings in my life.  I will try my hardest to complain a little less and to love a little more.  I will give thanks to my Heavenly Father unceasingly because I know that it is from Him that my blessings come.  Love is the best gift of all.  Happy New Year everyone!
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