Finally - Christmas with our kids and grands!!

Our daughter, son-in-law and two youngest grands arrived on December 26 in time for a Chicky (Chick-fil-A) lunch. I had PT that morning and stopped and picked it up on the way home and they were there when I arrived.

Before they arrived, I had wrapped the two cute gifts below. My sister sent me some money to buy gift for our three granddaughters. I put a little money with her money and bought some extras -- like the bags. Oldest granddaughter loves pink. Middle granddaughter's favorite color is purple sparkly. I ordered purple and it was delayed so I bought a cheaper version at a local store and wrapped it. Luckily, the purple bag arrived while we were having Christmas!!

Look at this little cutie. She is 9 months old and she is so tall already. Her mommy is 5' 11" (ish) so she may end up being tall like her mommy.

She can roll over but hasn't quite figured out how to crawl but can maneuver herself across the rug in some form or fashion. She was born prematurely back in March so we aren't worried, nor is her pediatrician, about these milestones.

Laura had asked us to order the Pottery Barn chairs for her two girls.

She was excited!

We bought a sewing machine for our oldest granddaughter. There is a store in town that I frequented all of the time when our kids were babies and I was smocking and sewing. The name of the shop is The Smocking Bird and they sell Janome machines. I bought her the basic model. I didn't want to waste the money on a kid's sewing machine. 

Our son had to try out the chair . . .

I also gave the two oldest girls a Snoopy mug. Our daughter was sad because I didn't have one for her. Isn't this the cutest picture - her ruffle bottom jeans, sitting in her purple chair, pretending to drink from her Snoopy mug.

She had to try out her chair, too!!

Our daughter and her family are living temporarily with her in-laws so the chairs ended up staying at our house until they move into their own house.

I bought some cute clay kits from a girl at church and granddaughter #2s imagination was at work. Success!

Couch/blanket forts were made. Barbies were played. Crafts were made.

Sitting up was practiced and new toys were examined.

Floor sitting and floor laying was common.

High chair sitting and eating happened.

There was even some TV watching -- not much, but a little.

After the kids opened their presents and we ate dinner (roast beef, baked potatoes, copper pennies, and baby limas, and rolls), our son and daughter-in-law and "adopted son" went home but they left our oldest graneddaughter with us. We had all three granddaughters in our house for 24 hours. It was chaotic and lovely. I actually started coming down with a cold during the night and I fell asleep in my recliner at some point. I'm glad there were other adults around!! Our daughter and I were able to run to TJ Maxx and Homegoods just to see what was in the store! I bought some Turkish figs for Mark!

After they left, we immediately started taking down Christmas decorations. I have weeded out and made a give-away box and wiped down the outside of the tubs and I have labeled all of them. I actually had not packed away my Thanksgiving decorations so I did that, too.

Here we are on the cusp of a New Year - 2025. Wow. 2024 was a crazy year.