Christmas Day, Maggie's 4th, and Special Moments

I am writing this from Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, the 2nd week off from school.  I meant to bring in my camera to download photos, but left it in the car!  So, these are some random thoughts and I will post Christmas day & Maggie's birthday photos later. 

Christmas morning started off by Clyde and I going over to Becky's to see the kids open presents and stay for breakfast.  They greeted us, very excitedly, at the door saying "Merry Christmas Nana" and they were very happy with all gifts from mom & dad and Santa.  We ate a good breakfast Becky cooked (Jason helped) of scrambled, cheesy eggs, sausage gravy & biscuits, and fried apples (she had dried this summer). 
I got home and was a bit behind so I quickly got busy.  However, the morning passed too fast and I didn't get it all complete until mom & Kent came over to play cards.  Clyde wound up staying at Becky's until around 2:00 and mom came around 2:30...so I was in a bit of a panic. 

I didn't get everything made, but we wound up with a pork loin, stuffed with spinach, jack cheese and sun-dried tomatoes.  For sides, I used the Taste of Home magazine my friend, Tricia, gave me for Christmas (a year subscription) and cooked the sweet carrot recipe as well as the brussel sprouts & cauliflower augratin out of it.  Note to self, do NOT cook loin too early.  It was dry:(  Made good barbecue the next day.

Well, my computer went out of power yesterday, so I am resuming this morning.  We got the kids last night and Becky & Jason are flying to Chicago this morning.  They drove to Louisville last night to fly out of there.  We are keeping the kiddos until tomorrow night (Fri) and handing them off to Greene & Jackie around six in Richmond.  Then we will meet them back on Sunday to keep them overnight and take the boys to school on Monday.  Becky & Jason are celebrating their 10th anniversary that is actually today, December 29th.

I haven't had them overnight for awhile so it is good to have them.  It is never easy keeping three to one adult, just have to keep  on my toes!  They brought lots to do, so we are good to go.  Love them.

Christmas morning "Merry Christmas Nana and Pap"!

MJ writing in her pad,  she loves writing her name.

Mom (mamaw) and MJ at our house on Christmas day, opening presents after dinner.

Wow!  Look guys what we got from mom & dad....Ipod Touch!

Maggie's birthday arts & crafts night....Matthew painting his canvas.

Some party guests starting the night off with markers & fancy scissors.  Then we had pizzas, veggies & dip, apples and more.  Then the canvas painting.

The color scheme was crayola colors and the cake was like a box of crayons.

Sweet Madeline G.  Just a precious girl.

Becky made everything look bright and colorful!  Dipped pretzels, rainbow colored cupcakes and this delicious strawberry cake Jackie made!

This bunkbed is one that Becky had as a little girl, now Maggie plays with it.  The blankets were long lost, so Michelle made these and each has a pillow!  She came and got the beds so she could match the size just perfect.  They are the best ever.  Thanks Michelle!!!

These are filled with skittles and m & m's.....rainbow cupcakes in the back on left, 1st photo. Second one is a pic of MJ's cake server set we got her for her first birthday.  She uses it each year on her birthday and when she gets married, hopefully it will be used for her wedding cake.  It is engraved with her name and birthdate.  We will have it engraved with her married name and wedding date one day!

My break has been busy, not real easy.  Some days have been relaxed and restful and for those I am thankful.  My favorite times from the holiday are:
Southern Lights-met Jason & family with Becky's family and had a great night.  We should have eaten first, like Jason Allen did.  However, the night was a perfect weather one and the kids LOVED feeding the animals.  A very good evening.
Christmas Eve-dinner at Longhorn,  service at SCC, then out to see lights.  Nice evening. 
Fire Station #20-always makes me happy seeing all those lights dance to the music. 
Movie-Clyde and I saw Courageous, which has been out for awhile.  We ate great popcorn and watched a very Godly movie.  I suggest it to any dad or dad to be!
Thomas' birthday-Monkey Joes, this was very fun.  I enjoyed seeing the kids jump and play so nicely.  We took the three of Becky's (they came and met us there) and they played so nice with Thomas.  We met some of Cassie's family and friends.  It was nice!
Lunch with Tricia-last week, the day before Christmas Eve (I think), we met at Hacienda (spelling?).  For some reason it was just laid back, quiet and enjoyable.  We got to chat and that is something we don't take time to do.
The times I just sat and looked at the tree were good.  It hasn't been fireplace weather, so we haven't had fires.  These are some of the nice things I did. 

Stinnett Christmas 2011

And then there were six....almost 10 years ago Jason and Becky married.  Four years later, along came Austin.  Next was Maggie and when Matthew needed a new home, he came into theirs.  The one with Briana's name is a sweet addition to their lives.  She came to them at the end of last school year; again, needing a new home and knowing and loving her from teaching her, Becky & Jason opened their door. 

Beverly, 2nd girl, Martha, 1st, momma, me, 3rd girl and Kent...finally a boy!

The whole clan.

Becky turned 32 this week, Clyde & I celebrated 39 years of marriage and Jason is 34.

My sister, Beverly's, family.  Front from left, Michael, Hayleigh, Alexa.

Back Mike (my nephew) & his wife Rebecca. (spelling of names may be wrong:(

Cousin Angie ( Bev's daughter), lucky Jason, and pretty Brittni (Angie's 18 yr. old daughter).
Sweet ladies!

Juliette, my sister Martha's youngest grand-daughter, my Maggie, who turns 4 this week, and Alexa.

Before we had our prayer for dinner, we held hands and Becky read the story of the Nativity from the Bible.  Larry led in prayer.  This was daddy's honor for many years.
Off the top of my head, I counted around 37 there last night.  I may have left out a few!  Several nephews were working or out of town.  We have this dinner most years at mom's church.  This year, Becky & Jason opened their home and we all celebrated family there. Merry Christmas all!

Becky's Birthday

The boys made momma a chocolate cake today.  They both broke one egg each and added the oil & water.  Matthew started the mixer to blend the batter then Austin mixed for two minutes.  Matthew is watching the timer closely!

Austin is writing a letter to mom for her birthday.  Matthew used the PC and I will add that photo below.  They both worked hard on the letter and added a clipart.

The pictures below will be from the Horse Park, Southern Lights. The weather was perfect for walking around and riding the ponies.

Cassie's son, Thomas...he will turn 6 this week.  He is a very sweet kid!

The very best thing we do is feed the animals.  The kids love this as well as the adults!

The adults get into feeding time at the zoo as well! 

Thomas was really loving the pony ride.

Another one of the things the kids love are the model trains.

To close the night, we went to eat at Cracker Barrel.  It was too late and everyone was tired and hungry!  Looking back, we should have eaten at home first, then go through the lights.  However, all in all, it was a very fun night.

Baker Christmas 2011

Before we ate, we held hands and Becky read the Christmas story. 

A photo with a wonderful niece, Erin!  She's awesome and we are so proud of her.

Steven (nephew), Clyde and brother Vernon.

Jason taking time out to talk to granny.

Daddy and his sweet girl.

This is the tree in the FR. 

This was the sweetest thing I have seen for some time.  Granny is 84 soon to be 85.  She made homemade rolls for each and every one of us.  She had to get up at 4:00 in the morning to get them made.  She lives alone, in a senior citizen home.  She called each name and had us come up to get them.  She gave each grandkid money.  Her kids adore her as well as her grandkids.  Thanks granny!

We play dirty santa and this was in one of the UK theme gifts. 

The party is over and as we picked up coats, this is how we found Austin.  He said earlier his neck was hurting...precious child! 

Last night was Baker Christmas at Becky & Jason's new house.  Each sibling of Clyde's take a year for Christmas and Thanksgiving.  My turn this year was Thanksgiving, next year is Christmas for me.  I prefer Christmas to Thanksgiving for sure!  We have a full blown meal at T and bring heavy appetizers for Christmas.  When Becky bought their house on Sunny Slope (before this one), she got in the rotation.  Her new house looks amazing and she had it decked out.  It has a great flow to it so many people can move around easily but yet all be close enough to visit.  The photos I will post will be at this party.  

Maggie's Christmas Program

 Tonight was Maggie's day care Christmas pageant.  Maggie represented Sweden.

 Austin & Matthew waiting for the program to begin.

 Ms. Judy likes having a candlelight service at Christmas. 

 Izzy on the left is a year younger than Maggie.

 Hard to get a picture of these three, standing straight and smiling at the camera...with six eyes opened!

 Cara, who played Mary, is Maggie's bestie:)

As we (Clyde and I) were leaving, the kids got to open presents and Maggie brought mom & dad

scarves.  We enjoyed a big meal after the program.  Becky brought homemade meatballs and a huge ceasar salad and I added monster cookies.  Lots of other food to share.  This is a wonderful group of people.  Ms. Judy & Mr. Bruce are Christians and share the story of Christ's birth with all.

Mom's 85th birthday and Christmas party weekend

 Michael & Hayleigh two of my sister Beverly's grandkids.

 Mom's first grandchild, Lisa and Becky (mom's namesake:). 

Miss Maggie Jane Keith....will turn four on Dec. 28th! 

 My sister's lasagna was a huge HIT.  Someone said they loved the ham (I did as well) and I made more green beans and hash brown casseroles (4 large ones) than we could eat!

 Mom's two youngest grand-girls, Dana & Becky.  Juliette & Maggie with baby boy on the way.

 Lisa Ann made the sheet cake.  One half chocolate and one yellow.  it was yummy!!

 Mom (birthday girll) and her friend Elsie.

 Don and Lillie Crutcher, long time Eastland friends.

 Austin Porter & Matthew both were very good at today's party!

 My sister's boy Michael, his beautiful wife, Rebecca and her daughter, Alexa.

 More friends from Eastland.  So happy they came!

The photos above are from today, Sunday Dec. 11th.  Mom turned 85 on the 9th with the party today at her church.  The sisters and I pitched in and cooked the food.  We planned for 50 to 60 and had way too much food.  We did a basic table setting with real pretty vases of flowers on each table.  Everyone said the food was good and they seem to enjoy the chatting.  I think mom enjoyed it as well!  She teared up once and patted the chair next to her, saying this was daddy's seat.

The photos below are from our class Christmas party at the Chop House.  It is always good to gather together and share a meal and a time for catching up. 

 Beautiful ladies...Teresa N. and Kathy B.

Bruce, Jack & Marcia! 

 Marcia, Kathy C., Michelle & me.

Herman, Ingrid, Janet & Cheryl.....

Our final weekend party was last night.  We call it our "friends progressive dinner".  For many years we have a time for casual dining and try to relax and go from appetizer to dessert.  It's not so relaxing for the hostess' but we do enjoy having everyone at our houses!

 Appetizers were at Vickie Meenachs beautiful house...I didn't stay long and didn't get a picture. I had the second part, soup & salads.  Then we went to Tricia's house for dessert.  I made two batches of toffee and handed out little jars of it to wish my besties a very Merry Christmas!

All our men.  I appreciate mine more than I can say.  I did the cooking, he cleaned all the dishes (photo below)!!    Thanks babe!