Tis the Season....for family!

The first thing that we did this month was to have a birthday party with the Michael family, for Grandma Etta, at my house on the 12th. Gary, Judy, Ron and I took her to Charleston for dinner and then we took Gary and Judy home. We acted like we had to get something for Ronnie before we took her home. We drove to our house and Ronnie's family was there, and then little by little the other family members came by. Etta said, "It looks like a party!" Then, when Gary and Judy walked in with the ice cream and I brought out the cake, she finally realized that it was a party for her. I had told it was just a coincidence that everyone just happened to be dropping by. It was really fun for her. Thanks to all the Michael's that came and helped make her birthday bright! It sure was great to see all of you. We need to do it every year and combine it with a Christmas party.

Wow! What a busy Christmas! On the 18th we had a Longhurst Christmas party. We had crafts for the kids, a talent show, and of course yummy food! The kids exchanged white elephant gifts and then the adults played the white elephant gift exchange game. It was a lot of fun! It's great to have such a wonderful family and that we can all get together. We missed all of those that couldn't come. We hope that we can all be together someday!
During the week I had a Scavenger hunt with all of my grandkids at my house before Christmas. There was a gingerbread house at the end for the younger ones that they could color and play in. The big boys got swords that they played with. We made cookies and decorated them...then they were gone! Hmmm....I wonder where they went?

Christmas Eve we had a Mexican Fiesta at my house. A lot of yummy food! Thanks to everyone that brought the enchilada's, taquito's, beans, tamales', cheese dip, and of course Matta's chips and salsa! YUM! YUM! Then, all of the grandkids opened up their Christmas Pajama's to wear before bed time. Christopher and Bailey went and bought some toys and gift cards for a family that had nothing and came back and wrapped them. I know that made someones Christmas bright! Thanks to my dear husband who cleaned the kitchen and to Becky Porter for taking a family picture for us.

On Christmas morning Ron went and got my mom for me and then Heather's family came over and opened all of their gifts here! It was fun watching them and all of their reactions! Ronnie and Christopher's families then came over. We had Belgium Waffles with strawberries and whip cream, bacon, eggs, and juice for breakfast. Then we opened presents again! I got a beautiful necklace from Christopher and Bailey and the boys. It had the word grandma imprinted on it and has my birthstone on it. It's really cool! Heather made some blocks with all of my grandchildren's pictures on them and four that spelled out Love. They stack on top of each other. It's a really cool idea and I'm so proud of her for making them. She was very crafty this year. She made her nieces and nephew these wooden boxes with their names on them and put little gifts inside of them. They were really cute too! Ronnie and Aleia gave me a cool door mat and pictures of Faith and Jaylee that were (of course) beautiful! I got some running shoes, two sweaters, knife set, Ninja blender, and gift cards from my hubby. Two shirts and some $ from my mother-in-law. A dip set from Eileen and a 5 in 1 blender from Connie. Wow ! Do I have a lot of sweet love ones in my life! We then had ham, potatoes, rolls, corn, and fruit salad for our dinner. Yum! If anyone was hungry it sure wasn't my fault! I'm stuffed!!! Thanks to all of you and all that you did to make Christmas so fun! A special thanks to Bailey...she did dishes several times throughout the day! I really, really, I mean really, thank you!!!! That was one of my best gifts! I am truly blessed with the best family in the world. I love each and everyone of you with all of my heart! Thanks for making the holidays bright! It was great having all of my family together this year! Love you guys!!!

I am so thankful for my Savior and his life here upon this earth. He gave us the greatest gift of all! Thank you!