New Year's Eve

The day was spent opening gifts in stockings and those brought for the exchange as well as the traditional extended family gathering at the Casselman to ring in the New Year - literally in our case.

 

The custom designed hangers for the new location for the stockings since we were at the Alvie House instead of at Mom & Dad's

 The kids opening their packages in front of Grandma and Pa

Chloe - the youngest

 

 

The portable stocking holder (1 of 2) making its way into the Game Room

 

Kendall enjoying the day

Music at The Casselman

I was the music holder for Rachel as she performed

 



'Tis the Season

The festivities just continue!

 

Piano Recitals and singing Christmas carols

Lots of food!

Laura at the pump organ (and piano)

Stockings found a new home this year.  Waiting to be opened later this morning.



The Alvie House

Enjoying Christmas with family at The Alvie House.

 

The welcoming house

'watching' football on Sunday

 

Dad's first deer wears a festive Santa hat and oversees the festivities in the game room

Watching the Poo-Poturri commercial

 

 Watching pool being played

Pool in the game room



Central Market - Lancaster

Torrie and I went to Market to grab some coffee and some yummy treats for breakfast while Kendall put up a new light in her dinning room.

 

 



Christmas

Christmas day was spent traveling from the warm southwest to the cold east coast.

 

So nice to have Urbane pick us up at the airport and then be able see their "new" home.  Then it was off to Pennsylvania and Christmas dinner with Torrie & Holden.

 

 



The Lights of Christmas

There is nothing like the beautiful lights of the Christmas season!  Last night we headed to downtown Glendale for Glendale Glitters.

 



We started with dinner at this great Italian restaurant that has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

 

 

 

After dinner we walked around the park that is all decked out for the holidays.

 

This morning there were more lights to love at church

The canopy of lights is so beautiful

They are up every year for the Festival of Lights and make the building so festive

 

After church we went to Kiss the Cook for a yummy brunch.  The plates were just for Christmas and made for a fun table.

 

 



And of course there are the beautiful lights at home that we get to enjoy every day...

 



Especially by Gracie who loves to look at the lights and enjoys napping by it.

Norfolk

A brief visit to Norfolk - if only it was for relaxation instead of many hours of work.

 



Thanksgiving

I'm a bit behind in Blogging - so much going on with various activities.  It was so nice to have Kendall's parents visit us for Thanksgiving this year.  We set them up at the cabin for some time to enjoy the peace and quite and then joined them for the holiday weekend.  We were also fortunate to have Uncle Bob feel well enough to bring Aunt Lola Faye to the cabin for some time visiting as well.

Thanksgiving dinner was just the four of us with the traditional menu.  The flowers were provided by Kendall's mom to brighten the table

 Friday and Saturday were spent playing games, relaxing and eating.

 

 I don't remember who won the game - I just know it wasn't me

 



Kendall, Bob, Larry

 Lola Faye showed up with a similar outfit to what Donna was already wearing. Sisters in sync!!

 

Gracie loves Christmas lights and enjoys sleeping in her bed by the tree - here at the cabin, but also at home

Dinner at the Prescott Brewing Company Saturday evening



Book Review

 

Book: The Governess of Highland Hall

Author: Carrie Turansky

Review: The setting of the story is in early in the 20^th century in England.  A young woman, Julia, has recently returned to England from India where she served as a missionary with her parents.  Her father’s ailing health required the attention of a physician in England, bringing her back to a place she had not been for 12 years.  Needing to support her parents, she finds employment as the governess at Highland Hall.  The position is a challenge with two young children of the widowed master of the estate and his two orphaned teenaged nieces. 

It is easy to see the inspiration for the author of the television series, Downton Abbey, in this book.  The story line is predictable in many places for the characters of the young governess and the widower, but I still recommend it as a light wholesome read.

Read an excerpt: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/SneakPeek_TheGovernessofHighland.pdf

Author’s website: http://carrieturansky.com/index.php/blog/

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

ABT

We are thankful to have Kendall's parents in Arizona for a few weeks over Thanksgiving.  On Saturday we enjoyed The Sound of Music at the Arizona Broadway [Dinner] Theater.  Great food, show and company!

 



Washington D.C.

I was able to travel to D.C. this week to catch a nurse staffing conference.  Several people that I have quoted in my doctoral work were presenters.

 

Me with Dr. Sean Clarke

 

I was asked at the last minute to fill in for someone and help Dr. Karlene Kerfoot, so I waited our turn to present to 700 attendees

An Emmy I won't get, but it was fun

 

But the best part was seeing Whitney, Blake, Karen, Urbane and Ben