On Into December

In reading different blogs today, I definitely see that we are now into the Christmas mood. I am just a tad behind as we just celebrated our Thanksgiving on Saturday. We have done it that way for years as it allows our children to celebrate Thanksgivings with their in-laws and families. My folks always did it that way and we have followed their lead.

It was truly a gorgeous, warm day filled with many wonderful memories. We have been so very blessed in our lives and it is nice to pause and show appreciation for all that we have been given.

Three of the grandchildren came over to help me set up and do a little prep work. It was wonderful to have them help. They have really become good helpers over the years and now see what needs to be done. Of course that was all lost once the babies started arriving. Somehow those precious little individuals were much more interesting.

An added Thanksgiving decoration made by the grands with styrofoam balls.

Ms. M and A playing with A.J.

A.J. cleaned tray after his turkey dinner. He doesn't miss a meal.

Loved this "little boy" picture with a car tucked in his pocket! Don't let anyone ever tell you there is no difference between boys and girls at this young age.

Ms. A and the newest grandson. The shirt has a turkey on it which says "I'm stuffed." From the looks of those cheeks, I'd have to agree.

This is our family - our children and their children.

#3 son, his wife, daughter and #2 son's wife.

#4 son's wife, #4 son, my mother, #1 son's wife

The guys retiring after dinner for a little football.

Mr. J,B and P decorating my metal tree with magnets. I'm thinking it might work for a Christmas tree instead of the partridge and pears that I normally put on it. What do you think?

# 2 son and his wife.

Girls entertaining Great Grandma.

Thanksgiving day we watched four of our grandchildren while their parents ran a 5K race to provide funds for a local CHP officer who was struck by a driver last December. The kids (both males and females) love to use the sewing machines while they are here and asked if they could make some Christmas gifts. My granddaughter informed me that my sewing room was "full of wonders." I couldn't agree more. I'm glad she also feels that way.

Ms. M

Mr. N (also known as Mr. Tech-y). He can thread the machine faster than I can and loves all the computerized buttons.

The weekend was simply gorgeous as far as the weather was concerned. Yesterday the space shuttle landing was cancelled in Florida due to weather and sent to the desert in California. Edwards Air Force base is about an hour from us and with proper advance knowledge, one can go and watch the shuttle's return to earth. Such was the opportunity yesterday. Our #3 son took all of his children out to watch it land. It was a picture perfect day for it with temps in the upper 80s and crystal clear. Everyone loved it. I was so glad that it was a day when there was no work and no school for the kids to experience it. There was a time after September 11th that the base was closed to all visitors which was disappointing.





We always have the sonic booms here about 20 minutes before touchdown. Yesterday was no different. Although we were expecting them, the sound always startles me. The whole house shakes with two rapid, thunderous sounds. The indoor birds go crazy, the dogs bark and my heart skips a beat each time.





I took all of my children out for the very first landing -- way back in the "old" days. It was such a fabulous experience and to this day I am amazed when I see it land with such precision. To think of where it has been and realize that it can land on a sand runway in the middle of a desert, millions of miles from where it started still awes me. Since the Columbia was the first shuttle that we saw land, we took it's disaster even harder.





I have to share one more thing before I put you all to sleep. I have a dear friend, L, who is a graphic artist. Her rep recently had a piece put into a tapestry and L sent one to me. I have it hanging on the wall in my living room and absolutely love it. The colors are perfect and it is such a wonderful reminder of all the special moments that we have enjoyed together.











Now.....onto decorating for Christmas or at least getting my Thanksgiving things down and packed away. I will probably not start decorating until the end of the week when the painter finishes up. Meanwhile, I will check out all of your blogs and get in the mood. Have a wonderful week.