Thurs., 12/16/21, Baked 2 batches of Christmas Cut Out cookies...Vikki, and the kids helped cut out, Then Kimmy and family helped decorate

60 degrees and beautiful today except wind was really strong

Peyton, Isaac and Nana

Isaac helping cut out cookies

Peyton helping cut out cookies

The decorating crew

Jacob, Adam, Eli, Peyton and Isaac

Christmas cookies all decorated! Thanks so much all you great helpers!

Got up early so I could get my reading done and do my devotion.  Bill had a meeting with Mike and Cheryl at 8:30.  I had my oatmeal and coffee, then made two batches of Grandma's Daisy's (my great grandma's) Christmas cookies.  I packed up a container for Melissa and family to decorate, then I texted Vikki to see if the kids wanted to come cut out the last few trays.  They did, so they came after school and did a great job helping.  They are very good at it.  Vikki gave them some cutting hints.  Peyton and Isaac had fun rollerblading in the basement.  After we were done baking the cookies, we talked to Kimmy and they all came over to help decorate.  I had made some noodle casserole to take to Sue and Charlie.  She just got home from the hospital today.  Vikki, Bill, Peyton and I had some.  I took the casserole, some butterhorns and some Christmas cookies to Charlie and Sue.  When I got home, Kimmy and family were there and all the kids were decorating.  Kimmy and Vikki were assisting by putting the decorated cookies on the table.  Jared and Kimmy had ate some noodle casserole, then I put pizza's in for the boys who all prefer pizza over noodle casserole.  What a great decorating team that made it go so fast.  Eli was our designer decorator.  He even decorated a horse and wrote Bo's name on it in decorations.  They all did such a wonderful job decorating.  Kimmy, Vikki and Jared helped clean up.  Such blessings!  I had been on my feet all day, so I was thinking I would just let the laundry go and fold it tomorrow.  I walked out in the utility room, and Bill had it all folded neatly.  I was so happy.  That's just what I needed at that moment.  I gave him a big kiss and then was able to sit and relax.  I watched Eli and Jacob's Christmas Band Concert as Kimmy sent them to my computer while she was here.  They did absolutely amazing.  The Concert was so good.  I will be watching it again!  The last song Jacob's band did was just wonderful.  It had to be a hard one to learn and it went really fast in parts.  I got my blog done after that. 

Wed., 12/15/21, Marie had aortic valve replacement, Sue had Ablation procedure..both went well, may come home tomorrow, made snowflakes with Vikki, Peyton and Isaac

Church pop up Christmas Card Carol sent me.  She sends a cute pop up card every year and I sure do look forward to getting them

Me making a snowflake

Me finishing my snowflake

Vikki and I with our snowflakes...this was so much fun!  Thanks Vikki!

Isaac and Peyton

Bill in his Marine Corp. Uniform

Ha ha Bruce eating one of the butterhorns I took him!  This is even funnier than last years picture!

Bill went to breakfast with Charlie.  Sue called Charlie and they wanted her to come in to the hospital.  They ended up doing the Ablation today.  All went well and she just has to stay the night to make sure all is good.  Great Advent devotion again today and great Scripture reading to go with it.  Roy called me and said Marie's aortic valve replacement went well.  She has to spend the night in the hospital.  We are praying she doesn't need a pacemaker put in tomorrow per Marie's request.  It's sad that Roy could only be on the surgical floor with her, then when they took her to a room, he couldn't go be with her.  That hospital, and the one Sue is are both filled.  Before Sue could be admitted, someone had to be sent home. I am praying for all of the medical staff.  This has to be so difficult and overwhelming.  Also praying because patients have to be alone without their loved ones by them.  After Bill got home, I put Christmas worship music on and then I made chocolate peppermint bark for Vikki and family.  It was ready when she got here.  She taught me how to make those beautiful snowflakes today.  It was fun learning how.  They turned out so good, and they don't take much time to make.  She made broccoli, cheese, and noodles  while she was here and it was so yummy.  After they left, Kimmy face timed me.  Vikki and I had tried to face time her, but not a good signal so couldn't.  I showed her the snowflakes in the family room. 

Kimmy sent me a video and Eli sure does amazing riding Bo bareback.  Bill and I watched Homeless for the Holidays, a favorite movie of ours with a great message.   Bill's sister messaged me for prayer.  They are having awful winds in Kansas, 100 mph recorded in Russell where she lives, and Bill's other sister lives not far from her.  Nieces and nephews are there too.  She said many homes were burning and the firefighters couldn't get them under control because of the winds.  There are grass fires too.  I put it on our church prayer page.  Praying for all there to be safe and no tornados.     

 

Tues., 12/14/21, Went to Colonial Villa for Breakfast, Kenzie came over to bake butter horns, went shopping, intercessory prayer at church

Kenzie did such a great job helping make butterhorns today

Kenzie had a cup of Starbuck's hot chocolate with a  cocoa/latte spoon to stir it with

I should have taken a picture of them after we took them off the wax paper and they looked nice and neat

Hailey when I dropped off some butterhorns for Bruce...I am sure he will share

Evan loves doing puzzles!

Evan with the puzzle finished

Our giving tree at church!

We got up early to leave for Colonial Villa to go to the Veterans breakfast.  There were very many there.  They had to go boxes.  Breakfast was super good...eggs, corned beef hash, bacon, sausage and ham.  We got home just as Kenzie got to our house.  I made her some cocoa and she sampled some of the Christmas treats I made.  She liked them too.  I sent some with her for Travis and his brother.  Kenzie is amazing at helping me with butterhorns.  She has done this with me since she was little is such a huge help.  We made two batches.  While they were raising, we went shopping at 5 Below, Bath and Body Works and Barnes and Noble.  She got some Christmas shopping done and so did I.  She surprised me and bought me a journal at Barnes and Noble, while I was saving a spot in the line.  I was so happy because of her thoughtfulness and the beautiful gift, but I told her to give it to me for Christmas since it's such a great gift.  She has gotten me journals before and I am using the last one right now.  We had fun shopping and spending the day together.  We got back, and baked and frosted the butterhorns.  Then we made Little Caesars individual pizzas.  She loved the pizza too.  She had to make a couple of stops before going home, so she left when the butterhorns were done.  I sent some home with her, took some to Bruce and Melissa, and dropped some off to Pastor Ken and Joan's.  Joan was so happy, she texted me right away when she got them and found out they were butterhorns.  She and pastor both love butterhorns!  I was going to take some to Charlie and Sue, but she had to go to the ER.  Found out later she will be having an ablation procedure for her heart done on Thurs.  Please pray for all to go well.  Our friend, Marie, will be having an aortic valve replaced tomorrow, so please pray for her also.   In the evening, I went to intercessory prayer.  We worshipped, then prayed for those affected by the tornados, needs in our congregation, others in the community and whatever the Holy Spirit brought to mind.  We each wrote down the name of a person we have been praying for on a card and what to pray for.  Then we drew a card and our gift will be to pray everyday for the rest of the month for that person.  I came home and texted with Vikki and Adam.  I texted Hailey to let her know I am praying she does great on her exam tomorrow.  Vikki made some beautiful snowflakes and is coming to show me how to make them tomorrow.  I am looking forward to it.  Melissa called me and showed me Evan's puzzle he put together.  He loves puzzles too.  I texted him good job, and he texted me,  "thank you, I love you. From Evan."  So sweet.    

Monday, 12/13/21, Did laundry, put bird feeders back out after being in because of wind, Kimmy and family and Vikki and the twins came over

 

Melissa sent me pictures of Max making the "smooches" as Vikki calls them. He loved them last night and wanted more.

Kimmy made these beautiful bags to put the yarn balls she made for a lady at Vikki's work

Peyton eating an apple in the basement

Eli and Isaac rollerblading in the basement

Isaac rollerblading in the basement

Love this beautiful picture of Eli riding Bo bareback

Jared, Adam, Jacob and Bill getting the snowblower on the tractor.  They were amazing workers.

Jacob, Eli and Adam

Cute selfie Jacob took by our snowman and sent to me

I did some laundry, then made my coffee and read my Bible and did my devotion for Advent.  Bill had to go to therapy in the morning.  Kimmy texted me and said they were coming over so the boys could help Bill get the snowblower on.  I told her I would make Little Caesar's pizza's since I have kits I got from Peyton and Isaac.  Vikki and the kids came over after school.  It was nice getting to visit with Vikki and the kids had fun in the basement.  I finished making banana pudding dessert for us to eat.  Kimmy and family came around 4.  I had them try the "Smooches".  They all loved them, especially Eli.  I had Kimmy and Vikki sample some of the chocolate bark with peppermint on top too, and they like that.  Kimmy and I made the pizzas once the guys were done working on the tractor.  I had burger, pepperoni, olives, and onions for each person to choose what they wanted on their pizzas.  We had the banana cream dessert afterward.  Jacob worked on homework upstairs while they were here, but came down when he was finished.  The guys were all on their phones in the family room, according to Eli, while Kimmy, Vikki and I talked to Melissa on my phone in the dining room.  Vikki and the kids left to go home and have her yummy scalloped potatoes and ham she had to warm up.  I tried to take her into eating here. Kimmy and family left a little while after Vikki.  Jacob ran and took a selfie by our snowman, so I told him to send it to me.  We had so much fun hanging out together and getting to talk to Melissa too.  I talked to Kenzie a few times.  She is coming tomorrow to make butter horns with me.  I made the dough tonight as it has to be in the refrigerator overnight.  I am looking forward to spending the day with her tomorrow.  

Sunday, 12/12/21, Went to prayer before church, went to Hailey's Christmas Concert, Bill went to CMA Leadership Christmas, Watched The Chosen Christmas

 

Holy Cross Lutheran Church where the Christmas Concert was held

Hailey on the left of the cross, second row

                                    The golden voice choir Hailey is in sang beautifully!

Hailey and Ally

CMA leadership Christmas Party...Sandy, Jerry, Al, Lucy, and Bill

Bill, Ron and Ziggy

My gifts were two jars of Jam....read these ingredients....I had Melissa ask Bruce if he would try the Tomato kind....he is going to

Bill looks pretty excited about the Jam

Julie and Phil..We are going to be riding to Iowa with them again in January

They played the game where you can take someone's gift...my vase Kimmy made and sign from the Gift shop kept getting picked.  No one picked the Jam and tried to take it. Hum!!!

Evan with pretzel treats he helped make

Jack sampling a pretzel treat.  He helped too.

Jack came out to say hi with his pizza in hand

Hailey eating breadsticks while she's waiting for me to airdrop videos of the concert to her.  Melissa was out talking to us too.  It was warm at first, but then got cold.

Got ready and read my Bible.  Went to prayer and then church service.  Amazing worship and great message.  Bill went to the CMA Leadership Christmas Party.  I went to Hailey's Christmas Concert.  I made meatballs and also banana cream pudding dessert for Bill to take.  He took a beautiful Kimmy/Jared mug for his guy gift, and I took a beautiful Kimmy vase and a "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" decorative board.  Good finds at the Store Kimmy and Jared's pottery is in.  Peyton wanted to come with me, so I picked her up.  She just signed up to be in a choir.  I wish I could have videoed the whole thing.  The first small choir was amazing.  Two of the girls in the choir took turns playing the piano too.  The Golden Voice choir did amazing too.  Great job Hailey and everyone.  We sure enjoyed this amazing concert.  Such great talent and voices.  Jesus was glorified for sure.  Peyton and I went to McDonalds afterward and got burgers, fries and shakes (me a frappe').  Peyton saw Vikki and Isaac pull in to McDonalds.  She was getting Isaac a shake and her ice tea.  We called and asked them if they were at McDonalds.  Then we told them we were in the parking lot.  I took Peyton home after Vikki and Isaac left to go home.  Rody put a new screen saver on my watch.  My other one sure lasted a long time.  Thanks, Kimmy, for telling us to get this kind.  Vikki and Melissa and kids all made the pretzel treats tonight.  They didn't even know the other one was doing it.  They all had fun and everyone loved the treats.  I went to Melissa's and air dropped the videos from the concert to Hailey.  One was too big, so I had to send it in two parts to her when I got home. Melissa visited with us while we did it and showed me the new Mary Free Bed Facility.  Bill and I watched the Chosen Christmas.  It was so good and such great worship.  Emmanuel....God with Us!  We are blessed!