Visitors!

Yeah, Allegiant, the airline which brings Helen and William non-stop from Nashville to Richmond. Helen says that it is so much better. But the flights only go on Thursdays and Sundays so the visit is going to be short. Here they are though!

We were sure that they were hungry so suggested lunch at Olive Garden. It was very nice.

In the evening Papa and Omi remembered the routine ... bath time ... reading time ... good times!

Friday December 28 ~ The weather is not so nice. James thinks William would enjoy the science museum and of course he was right. William loves it.

Sarah and Co had left Wednesday to visit the other grandparents and relatives. They planned on coming back on Friday. It's quite a drive and they can't be home before 4 pm. Both older boys kept asking when they might see their cousin. I volunteered to bring dinner for us all. Taco Salad is so easy and everybody seems to enjoy it. William was happy to help us with the preparations. He cut all the tomatoes.

Ahhh, what a good time we had all together. Helen always can take perfect selfies.

William was invited to spend the night with Caleb. He brought his PJs. 

Saturday: Sarah sent us photos. The four cousins!

We were there about 10:30 am. What a glorious day. The sun was shining. The children were playing out in the yard.

Yes, Papa is a pusher. For his grandsons he can even be a push-over.

The plan was to go to the River City 3 Railers Holiday Train Display at the Great Big Greenhouse which is active on weekends during this season. Of course the boys (well, we all) enjoyed that.

Ha-ha, the blue sign says: "Unattended children will be given an espresso & a free puppy."

We called a lunch order in to Panera Co. and as we were driving with two cars, Papa and I picked it up to take back to the house. The boys wanted a picnic outside. Great choice.

We all kept saying what a difference the new addition to their house makes (the stairs down from the screened patio). It was so worth Wade and Sarah's effort. I think all their changes to their house have proven to be brilliant, making it so much more efficient and comfortable. Ha-ha, Sarah and I are addicted to HGTV.

Back inside when it turned colder and the twins needed their nap, Wade and Sarah and Helen took the two older boys bowling. James and I happily stayed behind with the nappers. They came back happy about how much fun they had.

Then I was not allowed in the kitchen because Caleb and William helped Sarah decorating "something".

We ordered pizza for dinner and then I received a "surprise".

VIDEO 1   (0:23)

VIDEO 2   (0:20)

A little more play and when it was the twins bedtime it was our time to leave too. Helen had to think of packing again. Some washing etc.

The cousins good-bye-ing was dramatic. They hugged and didn't want to let go. It does a grandparent's heart good. But still ...

Sunday morning Papa had to serve at church and I drove to the airport. I had packed some birthday cookie provisions for William to put into his backpack. When I came home I sat down with a piece and the cup (with coffee) William had made for me a few years ago.

Sigh.

Birthday time

2nd Day of Christmas.
Yes, the great 7 0  ~  Yes, I turned seventy. And I don't feel a bit different then the day before.
The weather was perfect. Sunny! A bit crisp but one can bundle up.
James always wants to know what I would like to do. I would like to take a little walk. We decided on Echo Lake. Really close.

Almost didn't see the fella.

Yes, a selfie.

We decided to go out for lunch. I had been at Travinia with friends at the beginning of December and thought James would like it too. Willow Lawn location was convenient since I wanted to pop into JoAnn afterwards for some sample color swatches. 

We splurged. Crab cakes as appetizers. A local beer for James, a chianti for me.

A second chianti glass later James decided that we should also share a dessert. 

Wow, we spent a lot of time in this place. We had a lot of fun. Talk talk talk. 

At home we put the last touches on the rearranged guest room. And we finally got night stands. Helen and William are coming tomorrow. Something we were looking forward too. And Caleb keeps asking WHEN he was going to see his cousin.

But I can't have a birthday without thinking of my father. Vati would have turned 99 years this day.
Sure miss him.

Advent and Christmas time

Monday December 17 Sarah came over with the twins. Caleb was in school. Owen found the hedgehog which normally "lives" in the sunroom. A lacemaking friend had gifted it to me many years ago. He was fascinated by it and tried to carry it around. He kept saying that it "prickles". The twins are trying to talk now and it is so much fun.

 He even kissed it which is not such a good idea. Not easy to dust a hedgehog.

Sarah suggested a little walk which was a good idea. She took this photo walking behind us.

Tuesday the 18th we had to split up. James went to Caleb's school program which was in the evening.

I went to the church ladies' Christmas party which was at the same time. It was very nice though.

With some caroling.

Yup, I did some baking. The one in front is a German recipe from my sister. She had mentioned that she  had baked it which reminded me that I had not done it in a long time. Promptly I forgot to brush the glaze on when it was still warm. It's tasting good anyway. Just need to do it again though. It freezes well.

Ah, Helen shared that William had received awards in school. He was the only one to get these. Proud of him!

On Friday December 21 we went to a wedding at St. Mark's Episcopal Church which was very uplifting. 

Next day Saturday we were invited to Sarah and Co to meet the new family member. This is Stella, a two month old English Springer Spaniel puppy. She is cute, no doubt about it.

Christmas Eve was a bit unusual. We had decided to go to church twice. James and I always like to go to the "Midnight Mass", which starts for us at 10:30 pm with the choir caroling and then the service at 11 pm. 

Sarah and Wade wanted to take the children to their church which is very close to their house. The family service started at 4:30 pm. We went to their house in good time because Sarah said we should be at the church no later then 4 because it would be full. It is not easy with three young children and it got later. James and I were there first and tried to find seats but there wasn't even standing room any more. 

Not a problem for Sarah. She quickly decided that we should go to our church where the family service starts at 5 pm. We were there on time and found good seats. 

The church was full too with a good bunch of children. Our three were all going forward for the children's sermon and then marched out with all the other children to the Sunday school rooms. I decided since I am going to another service anyway to give Sarah an easy mind and went with them. It really would not have been necessary. They had fun. 

After the sermon for the adults the children join the service again and our three were very good even at the altar rail for communion. Of course Caleb is used to that anyway. The service closes with all of us lighting candles and holding them in our hands while we sing "Silent Night". The children each had one too. Owen sat on Papa's lap and blew his out right away. When Papa told him not to blow it out he said "it is my birthday candle". That's how he knows candles. We thought it was so funny.

And then there was Jesus' birthday cake in the Parish Hall. No objection from our three.

Sarah had to hurry because she had to get on her way to work. She works nights 9 pm to 7:30 am for 7 days. This night she went one hour earlier so she could get home one hour earlier Christmas morning.

Since Sarah has to sleep (after some Christmas morning time with her family) James and I went to join Wade and the children. 

When we arrived sometime between 10 and 11 they were outside and we all went for a walk.

It was a very nice day (for being winter) and the walk was fun. 

VIDEO 1     (0:43) at the end they got a bit tired.

VIDEO 2     (0:35)

Around 1 pm Wade's uncle Jon, Carolyn and her parents and Cooper came. Of course the children were excited too. Everybody had a lot of fun playing. 

After Jon and family had left, the twins went for a nap and it got quiet for a while. 

When Sarah woke up she and Wade set up his Christmas present.

Except Caleb thinks it should be his. Daddy and son time.

More playtime until it was time for James and me to leave too. 

It had been a busy day and little children always make Christmas even more special.