New Year's Eve 2022

It is the last day of 2022.  Tonight, the year will come to a close and we will begin a new year.  Tonight is a good time to reflect on this past year.  I will be taking time alone for reflection and prayer.  Journal some thoughts from the year.  Maybe you will want to do the same.

Thank you, Lord, for another year of life.  Thank you for the blessings and even the hardships of this past year.  You are always good.

Christmas Day 2022

The tree Christmas morning 2022.

Since Christmas fell on a Sunday, we went to the service at 10am.  After church, we opened our gifts.  Captain Jack was fine to just lie in the middle of the commotion. 

Sierra-15 and me

Addie-19, Autumn-17, and Summer-12

Miss Fig's 2nd Christmas 

We don't know how old Captain Jack is but it is his 1st Christmas with us. :)

The girls went together and got me gifts for my stocking.  They said that I always make stockings for them but no one ever makes one for me.  What a sweet gesture!

Of course, teenagers will eat Flaming Hot Cheetos anytime!

The funniest thing was Sierra and Autumn went together and got me this shelving unit.  It is neat!  But the funniest thing is they made this "shrine".  Since I told them my crush was Uncle Jesse when I was young, they did a shrine to him.  Ha!  They are so funny!

Goofy girls!!

Autumn also got me this beautiful calendar with Scripture.  A special collector's edition by Thomas Kinkade.  The theme is Hometown Memories which is neat, isn't it?  I can't wait to put it up for

 the new year.  It also comes with this beautiful print as well.

Addie got me this beautiful pillow and I just love this saying...always have!

The hubby got me new Airpods.  We snagged a great deal on them and I really needed a new pair.  I use them to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, etc.

This was what was inside my stocking...fuzzy Pooh slippers, Ghirardelli and Dove chocolate, Orbit sweet mint gum, and Queen Anne chocolates - all my favorites!

Summer got me a basket, made me a homemade card, and got this book to go with the Laura Ingalls Wilder books that I collect.  I love that my girls know me so well!

Addie also got me this cute tote bag for library books, etc. with a cat and a book on it.

Summer also got me this very nice candle - Joanna Gaines' line from Target.  It is different - it has a cement-like base.  Fun!  

Eric also got me this gray shirt and a beautiful puffy vest with a hood.  Cute!

Addie got us this puzzle for our family.  It is fun to work on a puzzle together during our break from school.

Jack opening up his gift from Summer.

Rachel tried her hand at a charcuterie board - it was very pretty and so tasty!

This was our menu this year.

Ham

Mashed potatoes and noodle gravy

Mac and cheese

7 layer salad

Cornbread corn

Deviled eggs

Pickle rolls

Charcuterie board

Shrimp cocktail

Cheddar biscuits

Dessert:

Apple pie

Avocado pie

Chocolate Delight

Peanut butter pie

Autumn did the table settings.  The napkins were ones she made for her sewing project.  Aren't they cute?

The family.  

Addie-19, Autumn-17, Kylee-16, Sierra-15, Evan-14, Summer-12, Jack-11.

Christmas 2022

Adam, Rachel, and Jack left but Kylee and Evan stayed to play some games.

That's a wrap for Christmas 2022!

Christmas Eve 2022

Christmas Eve day...I spent cooking and cleaning.  I mean, what else do moms do on holidays???

Addie and Autumn both worked that day.

In the evening at 4:30pm, we attended the Christmas Eve candlelight service at Grace Baptist Church.  My sister and her family attended with us.

After the service, Eric and I made our Christmas Eve dinner.  Steaks with sauteed mushrooms, garlic, and onions

Parmesan-garlic asparagus

Roasted red potatoes

Caesar salad

After dinner, we met up with the family.  Addie drove all the cousins in their van and the four adults went in our vehicle.  We drove around to look at the lights.

The cousins.