Sat., 12/31/22, Happy New Year

                                                                                    

                                                                                     

Fun celebrating Christmas at our house and then going to Vikki's in the evening and celebrating New Years.  Lots of good food, lots of family time and lots of fun playing games.

Friday, 12/30/22, Prepared for our family Christmas Celebration tomorrow.

Evan last night when Melissa was going to read him a bedtime story

Banana Cream pies were made today

Got up at 2:30 and added the water and yeast to the bread makers and started the dough cycle.  When I got up in the morning they were ready to shape into rolls and let rise again, then bake.  Made a chocolate banana pie, two banana cream pies and got the apple pie thawed and ready to heat up.  Made the cheesy potatoes for tomorrow, got the ham in the crock pot ready to heat up tomorrow, and in the evening got the potatoes peeled.  I made ham roll ups for at Vikki's tomorrow night for her New Year's Eve party.

Bill and I hauled the presents down from upstairs and put them under the tree.  He brought in the tables we will need for tomorrow and set up the one in the family room.  He brought up the roaster oven for me from the basement too.  It was a day of preparation for our special celebration of the birth of Jesus tomorrow.  We are so looking forward to all of us being able to be together.  

In the evening, we went to Pat and Rich's 55th anniversary party.  We sat with Dennis and Amy which we had planned to do a month ago.  It was so much fun getting to hang out with them.  Pat and Rich shared their testimony of how God has blessed their marriage and helped them through many trials and sicknesses.  He did so many miracles for Rich when he was dealing with cancer.  The doctors here said there was no hope, but the doctors at U of M prayed for him and so did the nurses.  He had chemo, radiation, and surgery.  It was such an amazing miracle, and they gave God all the glory for what He did!  Very touching!  He keeps going back for check ups and getting the all clear great report.  Del Bedford, their brother in law and an amazing man of God who once led worship and gave his amazing testimony at a men's breakfast we had at our house.  I listened to the tape of it afterwards many times and it was amazing.  What a huge blessing to see him and be encouraged that the Lord is coming soon!  We also talked to Lisa who is the head of His Restoration and her husband Sam.  It is amazing how God uses people to touch so many lives!  

I am looking forward to having everyone here tomorrow morning.  Can't wait!

 

Thurs., 12/29/22, Celebrated Christmas at Melissa and Bruce's

Christmas at Melissa and Bruce's this morning

Bruce, Evan and Jack

Max opening gifts

Max found the tape in his present.  Melissa had wondered where it went lol.

 

Melissa helping Jack and Evan with a special light

 

Max loved this Snack and Play tray for when he plays games.  The cup holder keeps your drink level.  Nice place for snacks and a charging station.  Very cool

 

Evan in his Guinea pig costume holding his guinea pig pillow and 2
stuffed guinea pigs

We ate a huge delicious breakfast Bruce made after gift opening

 

Abby with her new blanket

Hailey opening her gifts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evan, Hailey and I playing Jack and Evan's new game

Hailey in her new Central Michigan Stuff

Abby always comes and joins in when she sees them playing a game.  She actually watches the cards.  What a dog!

We did our morning routine, then at 10 went to Bruce and Melissa's to celebrate Christmas with their family.  We had huge homemade cinnamon rolls Bruce made.  Super fantastic!! Then the kids took turns opening their gifts first. Melissa and Bruce went next, then dad an I went last.  Jack and Evan shopped at their school themselves with school helpers.  Evan got me a pretty dove ornament.  The dove has an olive branch in it's mouth.  Really cute!  Jack got me a cute picture frame the size I needed.  Hailey got me a good smelling Evergreen candle.  Max got me six soft grey washcloths.  Such nice gifts.  Bill got a picture of a buck from Evan (the kind he wants to get when he hunts lol), and sandwich grillers for camping from Jack and Max. Thank you for the nice things kiddos.

Bruce made the absolute best and most delicious breakfast for us.  2 egg casseroles and scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, blueberry pancakes, french toast, potato casserole, hash browns with onions, regular fried potatoes, biscuits like at KFC, fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee.  This is a tradition now, and we sure love it.  Thank you Bruce!

We took a picture by the tree, than came home.  I talked to Kimmy, Vikki and Sue.  Face timed with Vikki too.  Adam sent me a cute cartoon this morning that made me laugh.  It was about the wrapper being left on the cheese in a sandwich.  Claire did that when she came up to the camper this summer.  We all got a good laugh and we do tease her still.  Bill and I watched another family rated Christmas movie.