Christmas

Christmas Eve we continued our annual tradition of Samantha being an angel at mass. pictured David, Madison, Abigail, Samantha and Allison

very late Christmas Eve (I think 11:30) Samantha throws reindeer food so Santa can find his way....

Christmas morning came all too quickly

I guess you know who found the pickle present...

Sam and Grace at Christmas Day dinner... one of my favorites

Cookie Decorating Party

Since I went to Puerto Rico I was feeling slightly guilty for not taking Samantha so I had her invite a few friends over for a little cooking decorating party. It was so cute to see Samantha host her first girlfriend party. They decorated cookies, had hot chocolate and some healthy snacks (thought that would be helpful before they ingested all that sugar) and then we took some time to make ornaments and magnets - It was so fun! Samantha told me I was the best mommy ever (what mom doesn't love hearing that!).Decorating begins...

Samantha

Molly

Emily

Allison

some healthy snacks

the decorating table

some of the results

Puerto Rico

I took a long weekend and headed to the sunny island of Puerto Rico for a little belated 40th celebration. So fun! 88 and sunny every day! It was hard to come back. I only took these photos from my room.

Happy 90 Birthday Auntue Ruthie!

My family celebrated my Great Auntie Ruth's 90 birthday. It was fun to spend that day with her on her actually birthday and to see all the second cousins and meet their children - our family is just so big it's a rare occurrence (everyone grows up so fast - I didn't recognize some, I know sad, but I'm getting old too.....) Auntie Ruth still loves to play bingo and go to the casino with the "girls" any chance she gets.... so cute and spry - she can't possible by 90!!


Nana, Auntie Ruthie, Samantha and myself (4 generations).Auntie Ruth and her goddaughter, my Auntie Barbara