1.) THREE YEAR OLDS! We had a wonderful time the week of Christmas in Portland with Sarah and David and their kids. Some things never change. . .like "olive fingernails" on three year olds!
2.) FUN PARTIES! David always makes sure everyone has the best time possible. Who else remembers "Toy Crackers" on Christmas Eve. ?
(I'll bet he has even more things up his sleeve for New Years Eve.!)
3.) FABULOUS FOOD! What's this? "Green eggs and ha. . ." turkey!? David (and his assistant chef) cooked a wonderful Christmas eve. dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes and he even made GREEN deviled eggs!
(I had to eat mine with my eyes closed so it didn't remind me of green frosting!)
4.) TREASURED TRADITIONS! It warms our hearts to know that our children carry on Christmas traditions that we started years ago. One of my favorites is the Christmas Eve. chandelier gifts. I wonder how many houses had gifts hanging from their chandeliers this year on Christmas Eve?
What? A picture of "Grandma"? This is NOT going to become a TRADITION! Three year old Katie wanted to take a picture of me. I HATE being on this side of the camera!
5.) TIME WITH FRIENDS. The day before we left for Portland we spent the day helping our friends Joan and Jean put up their Christmas tree. R.J. helped Joan cut a big spruce tree down on her own property and then we helped put the lights on.
This is how Christmas lights look when I have my glasses off. I love it!
R. J. and Jeff . . .wonderful little elves!
What makes us happier than putting a smile on the face of a friend?
Jean was very grateful!
R. J.'s roommate "Happy" just wanted to be an observer!
6.)TIME WITH FAMILY. While we were in Portland I took my very first "train ride"! We rode the "light rail" to downtown Portland . Here we are waiting for the train to arrive.
What a handsome bunch we are!
I don't know who was more excited the kids or Grandma.
(Yes I do...it was me!)
Downtown Portland is so beautiful, especially at Christmas.
7.) SMILES ON MY SWEETHEART'S FACE! Jeff has wanted to go to Portland's Powell's Books for many years. It is the largest bookstore "under one roof" in the entire world!
SOMEONE IS IN HEAVEN!
(I can't believe he only bought two magazines!!!?)
David and Sarah and the kids all had a wonderful time.
We are definitely going there again!
8.) CHILDREN'S FACES! When we were getting ready for Christmas Eve. dinner Katie wanted to help Grandma with the "primping process".
Mascara anyone?
My hair will never be the same! Who needs Jose' Eber?
A little hair dresser with an attitude!
Someone is very anxious for Santa to come!
How can Santa let these little cuties wait one extra minute?
(He didn't . . .they were up at 5:00 a.m. and he didn't disappoint them!)
For some the whole Christmas scene is very exhausting!
9.) MORE CHILDREN'S FACES! After a beautiful Christmas morning with Sarah's family we left about 11:00 am and drove south to Bandon to spend a beautiful Christmas evening with Wendy's family. Looks like Santa had been here too!
There were some other CHILDREN'S FACES we were badly missing. Amy Ruth sent us wonderful pictures of our "Texas Grandkids". Julie sent some of her little "Arizona Star" and our refrigerator is full of pictures of the other much missed loved ones! I am so grateful for pictures and e-mails and "Skype" moments. We felt "connected" in some way with all of our loved ones this holiday season. We feel so very blessed!
Tim and Katy sent us this little birdhouse. They think it looks just like our little
"Cottage by the sea".
10.) SILENTS NIGHTS! After all the fun is over, we are enjoying some quiet moments at home. I guess there is something to be said for "peace and quiet", but the laughter of grandchildren is still ringing in our ears and their smiling faces are still in our hearts!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!
John and Tiffany are expecting a baby boy in May and 
A HAPPY NEW YEAR in store for our family!
R. J. and Jeff . . .wonderful little elves!
What a handsome bunch we are!
I don't know who was more excited the kids or Grandma.
David and Sarah and the kids all had a wonderful time.
First of all, I must say that our tree looks so much prettier in person. I am not fond of our new camera! Also, this is a Pendleton Indian Blanket that we bought as our Christmas present to ourselves. It is also much, much deeper in color and beauty than this picture shows. It is also very w-a-r-m on our cold winter nights. We love it!!
It was difficult not to cry while I hung up the stockings. So many memories of the fun Santa had filling these year after year. Last night a friend told me she sent her children's christmas stockings to them . . .sorry guys, these are staying with me til the day I die.
Doesn't Hoover look festive?
The day we started decorating is was cold and rainy outside. It was perfect for feeling the Christmas excitement. It actually took us THREE DAYS to fininsh all of the decorating. Partly because all of the decorations were upstairs in our attic and we are both a bit slow on the stairs lately!!! We did some "careful selecting" and just put out what we loved the most. (Like our new ornament from the Bakers to remind us of our "Texas loved ones"!)
Of course our nativity set is our most treasured decoration of all.
The wise men had to be "traveling to the manger" this year.
We did not get to go down to "our dock" until the end of the day after we finished 
