Christmas 2023

Goodness, here it is almost February 2024, so here's a photo dump from Christmas past.

Mark painted the front door black for me.

those sweet grandbabies so grown up!

Rachel looking like she's aging in reverse <3

Christmas in the New Year

 Christmas got postponed because we all took turns getting sick!  We're finally all on the mend and got to spend some time together today.  It was a good Sunday!  And in the next couple weeks, their birthdays 💗

Christmas 2022

Jennifer sent this pic of their Christmas morning in California.  She surfed in the ocean and Oceanna played in the sand on the beach.  The RV park pool was open too!  I love the pic, the tree, the presents, and the scene out the window of palm trees and mountains and picnic tables.  

Our Christmas here was quiet.  Betsy & Kyle had a combo of strep and covid, so we still have presents to open with them.  Rachel's birthday is coming up quick, Jan 5th, so maybe we'll do a shared Christmas and birthday dinner.

I made a few desserts, these were my favorite.  Sugar cookie bars from Carolyn's All Day I Dream About Food.

Mark bought me a new light ring that has a little remote to take pictures with the phone.  Now that's a handy gizmo!

Seven years keto :)

Mark is on a new medicine for the Waldenstrom's.  Hoping it will work well with few side effects.

That little remote, along with a lot of treats, helped get some sweet pictures of Murphy and Skye.

And oh yes, that cute little Cali girl turned three!

 

Oceanna is 3!

Three years old!  And an artist already :)

We love her skirt!

One of the latest to go to Petals.

We wrapped presents today.  This might be the earliest I've ever wrapped! It's usually Christmas Eve before I get myself to do it.

Found this little tag from Judson and Rachel in among the wrapping paper <3

 

It's Almost Christmas!

One of the wreaths that went to Petals

My Christmas cactus bloomed so pretty!

The front door for this Christmas.  The swag stayed for a while, but the birds moved in again.  They like to hide in it, and then when we open the door, they fly inside.  It's an exciting time catching it and getting it back out of the house.  So the swag is inside now.

Front pot

Mark with Murphy at dock diving class

He is Mark's dog

Little Miss Oceanna girl

Mama's snow woman with her babies got dressed up this year

 

Merry Christmas 2021

Murphy was so good, I couldn't believe it.  He's so sweet 90% of the time, but he has moments when his 9-month-old puppy energy takes over.  When he went for a bath a few weeks ago, his groomer commented that his behavior was "better than most".  We laughed and laughed at that.  I figure it was a little like a C in conduct on an elementary school report card?   But for this Christmas night, we couldn't have asked for better behavior from him.  

Not my skinniest Christmas but not anywhere near my heaviest of pre-keto years.  We are still keto strong and thankful for the health benefits.  Mark starts treatment for Waldenstroms right after the New Year.

We had lasagna, beautiful strawberries, green beans, salad for our dinner.  And a slew of keto cookies and fudge.

My friend Cathy sent me this cute little charcuterie tray.

Mark fried chicken for our Christmas eve dinner.  Not really traditional, but it was amazing :)

I always like going back and seeing pictures from Christmas in years past.  Next year I won't remember that cute little tray that Cathy sent me until I come back here and check in.  This blog is going on 17 years old.  Seventeen years, wow!

December 2021

The big Santa swag didn't get to stay.  

It's too tempting for the birds and then they fly in the house as we open the door!

Centerpiece from last year, it still looks good.

The little nativity scene is the last ornament that I bought at The Farm.  I knew when I saw it that it needed to be in a wreath.

A little fancy for the season