A couple more things

In December, I also made Aubrey a dress and Ellie Mumme.  Then I made 51 Christmas ornaments and 2 stockings. This is Aubrey.  I don't have a picture of Ellie. Also don't have a picture of the stockings.

Christmas Eve and Day

Allison and Chris left early Christmas Eve morning..They had been here since Thursday and went home to celebrate with Chris's family. Emily and family, Aubrey and family and Louise and Al came over in the afternoon. We ate an early supper and then all went their ways to different churches. Except Aubrey and girls , who go with us.  It was the children's program and this was the first year Alair had actual lines. She did great....they all did. Afterward Aubrey and girls went to Troy's. After Emily and family were done with their church, they headed to Indiana to see Andy's mom. We just went home. The next day it was just us again, and kind of nice. I love having everyone here, but I get tired! Alair got sick the next day and continued to have a fever until the 31st. She has a slight cough yet and is stuffy. Some of the kids were here New Year's Eve and Day. I made it to midnight....Most of the kids not so much.  School starts tomorrow and we can get back to normal....whatever that is.

Christmas Weekend

In September, we decided to take as many family members to see a play and out for dinner. We had done this quite a bit when the first five were younger. So where to go and take a lot of pre-schoolers. We really liked taking Alair to The Children's Theatre Company. It's very kid friendly and not as expensive as other places. How The Grinch Stole Christmas would be playing in December. I called all the kids to see if they wanted to go and when it would work for most.  December 23rd was the date.  Andy and Christine decided not to go as Brandon wouldn't sit....at all.  I ordered 17 tickets, for Troy, Carson and Adam also.  We got lap passes for Mila, Dannie,and Corinne. So 20 people in all. It was great! The show was 75 minutes without an intermission, and was just right. We then went for dinner, and that was great also. By the way, this was their Christmas present from us. I think sometimes it's more important to make memories than buy things. This is some of the kids.

Catering

The Tuesday after the bake sale, I catered the Christmas party for the Red Hat Ladies of Elysian.  It was a hoot. Kim helped and Aubrey got Alair after school.  We served Stuffed Chicken Breast, Carrots, Cheesy Potatoes, Dinner Rolls, Tossed Salad and two desserts: Pumpkin Pie Shooters and Scandinavian Red Velvet Cake with Caramel Ganache and old fashioned cooked frosting. It went very well and was a lot of fun. I have some pictures, but for some reason I can't get them. Oh, well.

Year's End 2012

December was a crazy month.  I was on the committee for ladies aide and we put on the Christmas party, I had to bake 20 dozen Christmas cookies the same week for a bake sale at Alair's school. I would make something for the meeting and call others to make the other food.  The other co-chair was to call the rest and get helpers and decorations. I wasn't going as there are only four families at Alair's school to bake for the sale.  The night before the party she called and her daughter had blown out her knee at the basketball game the night before. She had to take her to a specialist the next day and didn't know when she would be back. Her husband would bring in her food, but she couldn't get a hold of most of the others....they didn't call her back when she left a message. Also no decorations.  Soooooo I loaded up some of my decorations sitting around and my dish and went and stayed, served and cleaned up. Not upset with the co-chair because things happen, but frustrated with the other ladies.  Oh well.  Got my cookies baked and we raisd a surprising amount of money, considering the number of bake sales in the area that day.

German

The kids at Alair's school have been learning German this year.  The teacher from CVLHS comes over twice a week.  They are doing great. CVLHS has a German Fest every fall with great food and a church service. This year Alair's school mates participated by saying the common table prayer in German and introduced themselves in German. They were fed a different meal,though. The traditional German food was wonderful. This is Mrs. Cram, Mrs. Bill and the students in Alair's school.

Thanksgiving 2012

Since Aubrey and Troy have been dating, it's hard to get everyone together. We usually do Thanksgiving on Saturday or Sunday and the kids can go to the inlaws on Thursday. Alec has the girls from Wed. to Friday. We  this year we also have Troy's kids to schedule around. I decided to have dinner here on Saturday and invited Troy's parents and his sister and family. Ruth, his mom, said sure as long as we had dinner at their house on Thursday. It was fun, but quiet, as most of the kids were gone. Here are a couple pictures from Saturday.