Family Fun

The photos are from several happenings...JR holding an icicle, Jon David trying to work magic with a Fugi ball, the cousins in their new "headphone" jackets, and Allie & Paige during out CHristmas lunch at the Blue Talon in Williamsburg.

Of course, our big Christmas dinner was postponed until yesterday because of the big SNOW! It was worth the wait though....lots of fun, food and laughter with Jon, Elaine, Jennifer, Lizzy, Jeff, Allie JR & I. While we were together, we called Aunt Janet and made plans for all of us to go to Martinsville for a big family time.

I am so looking forward to 2011........

It's Been Forever!!!

Goodness....the last time I wrote was right after Donk's! So many events have happened!

Allie has been working steady for Colonial Hgts Schools until Christmas break. We were able to shop together one day altho I had gotten most of my Christmas done early.

Paul, Allie & I went to Busch Christmastown one evening and it was perfect. Took in most of the shows....rode the train around the park and saw thousands of Christmas trees....

I finished my 16 minute film for John's children for Christmas and mailed it just in time.

The snow storm hit Christmas day and we lost electricity briefly. Al and I made an emergency trip to Walmart and we thought we might have to put the turkey out of the refrigerator out into the snow. Jon and his gang from NC and Jeff with his gang from Newport News were put on hold. I think they will come tomorrow and we'll celebrate and eat. I think that's been the hardest part.....missing their visit!

John has gone to the mall to walk since the golf course is closed. Me? I'm curled up with a couple of new books. Tim called from England and we chatted quite awhile. Paige called and we made plans to meet at the Blue Talon on Thursday for lunch.

I'm basically being a slug until the onslaught of workcamp applications begins.....

I hope the snow melts off the roads....but not off th trees....it's so BEAUTIFUL!!!

The Fun Never Ends!!!

It's a rollercoaster Christmas! On one hand, there is so much laughter & fun....and on the other hand there are so many memories. I am so glad that the laughter outweighs the melancholy!

Last night the Scudders, Al and I joined up with Brooke & her brood for the Donk's Christmas Show in Mathews, Virginia.

It's one of the best signs that Christmas is here! The photos are from last night. (Yep, that's "Jeffrey Claus"). Lots of good music and the theater was packed! Didn't get home to well after midnight, but it was worth it.
Wouldn't u know during the coldest part of the year, our heat in the living part of the house went kaput! We huddled last week in the back section where the bedrooms are because that heat was working. Thank goodness we have the wood stove in the living room or it would have been totally unbearable! The repairman is supposed to come tomorrow (fingers crossed!).
Night before last I journeyed to Gloucester for a Class of 1970 get together. There were only 15 of us, but it was wonderful. It was at my girlfriend, Pam's new home (a mansion), and it was layed back. Good food, drink and conversation about the old days! I got to visit Pam's parents that live next door....hadn't seen them in probably 30 years????
This week is nose to the grindstone. Drain the pool lines, wrap presents and some preparations for the upcoming tsunami of workcamp applications!
We are hoping to go down to Busch Gardens Christmastown. Allie will find out from her interview at the Montessori School tomorrow. JR got a clean bill of health from the doctor. Lost hunting dogs are roaming out back driving Will nuts!
Ho, Ho, Ho!!!

Whirlwind!

Guess I'll start now and work backwards! Al is heading out on her first Colonial Heights Schools substitute job...and then an interview at 4pm at Richmond Montessori School.

The tree is up all all the Christmas decorations up. I love putting out our things because each of them has a memory.

Will, our dog, is running around in a Hanakkua tshirt because it's SO cold up here! I have gotten a good start on looking at homes for camp. Tomorrow is am so excited to head to Gloucester for another Class of 1970 gathering. There's a big bonfire at a friends house...smaller group, but still lots of fun and memories. Then the next night is the big Donk's Christmas show. The Scudders are heading down to Mathews with us.

John has been asked to speak at Prince George Christian Church the day after Christmas.....Jon and family and Jeff with his gang will be up that day also for our family time and dinner.

We're also hoping to head down the Busch Gardens Christmas Town for one evening.

OK....I'm stalling....I need to go out into the cold for errands. Brrrr!

The pictures are from the Prince George Christmas Parade....can't start the season without that!!

Happy final day of Hanakkuh!

Hanukkah

Well, ever since my cousin in London had his Y-DNA tested and we turned out to be Haplogroup, J2, we made plans to light a menorah during this season. Allie bought one in Richmond, brought it down and she looked up how to light it and what to say. This is probably what my ancesters did (unless they were Syrian) so we thought we would honor them.

Soooo....Happy Hanukkah to all the J2s out there! I hope we find a surname this year to make it all complete!

Hot & Cold

I really can't believe it's December! This month is going to be SO full, but that's another thing I love about the holidays. The photo is of Jennifer, Allie & Lizzy. They are cousins....Jon David's daughters. Allie & I took off for NC for the day to visit. Jon was hunting, so it was all day gabbing with just us girls! So much fun! And yes, that's a big boar's head on the wall...it chased Jon in NC on a dirt road and it took 5 shots to stop him!

An update on some workcampers. Debra Bailey's married kids are both expecting at the same time. Eason & his wife Sara and Jessica & Matt are both expecting next July. Matt & Lindsay are expecting in May. Looking forward to lots of new little workcampers! Prayers please for MaryBeth Coleman....she is in the hospital for the second time this week with a diagnoses of menangitis. Scary....

I am meeting Allie & Paul in Richmond tonight for a Hanukkah celebration at temple. My first time worshipping in a synagogue. Wonder if I can photograph?????

We are definitely going to a parade this weekend....just need to decide which one. We haven't been to the big Richmond parade since Al was little, so we're considering it. If not, we'll definitely go to the Prince George parade that afternoon.

On Friday, Dec 10th the Gloucester H.S. Class of 1970 is getting together again. The group will be much smaller, but a classmate is hosting a bonfire at her home.....I can't wait! I love the people I went to high school with. The next night is the Donk's Christmas Show and we have a small group heading down there!

We also want to go to Busch Christmastown again because we had such a terrific time last year. I hope to get our tree today and JR helped me get "Christmas" out of the attic last night. JR has been asked to speak at Prince George Christian Church the day after Christmas. That's also the same day Jeff, Jon and all their gang come up for Christmas and a big meal. I know I'm forgetting something....