Seasonal Celebrations

 We packed this past weekend full of activities & celebrations. 

Friday evening was our granddaughter Avery's first school Christmas program. Somehow the Kindergarten class always manages to steal the show, and this year was no exception. We are especially proud of Avery because 2 months ago she confided in me that she had devised a plan of practicing for the program to fool her teacher, with secret intentions of refusing to participate the night of. However, her stage presence showed up and she performed flawlessly in front of the packed auditorium.       

Wyatt was recently diagnosed with esotropia [lazy eye] in both eyes, so he's sporting his new specs these days. He is too cute in baby glasses! If this is successful, he can avoid surgery.

Early the next morning, we traveled "over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house". For Christmas with my family. Avery was going to go with us, so I was disappointed when she chose a pajama party at her church over Christmas with Grammy.  

We were in charge this year. All the planning paid off in good food...

gift giving...

slideshows from us international travelers this past year... 

(we traveled to Europe, India and Greece in a single afternoon without any jet lag.) 

but we ran out of time to play the games I had prepared. Bummer. 

Sunday was my dad's 80th birthday, which was the whole reason for celebrating Christmas a week early. After church, then gathered together for a lunch of soup & salad at my parents' house again. It was the perfect menu for the day after a big Christmas feast. Of course, one can't try just one kind of soup; all 3 were delicious.   

Then my SILs & I set up a charcuterie spread for dad's birthday party. 

Surprise! 

We invited mom & dad's siblings for the celebration. This is my dad with his 2 brothers.  

A gift from his brothers & sisters. 

Not many 80 yr olds get to have their mother at their birthday party!! Grandma turned 100 this fall and is still doing well enough to come out for the occasion.

Most of the guests we invited came and it was fun catching up with aunts & uncles. (We also did a card shower, so he is getting lots of cards right now.) 

I'd say the party was a great success! The enormous amount of work I put in it was worth it. Right after we came home from Europe, I was super busy with pulling off Jeremy's party, then anniversary and Thanksgiving, then planning Christmas & this party. Now it feels like I can sit back and coast for the rest of the year! 😊