Christmas 2023

Out tree with some of our gifts.  Most of the gifts are in guest room.  We needed room to walk. Especially when you buy gifts are 20 immediate family members.

This is Clifford’s ornament.  Can’t wait to buy ornaments for each child of their current favorite.

My gift's from Mr. C

Some of the gifts from kids.  One of the Amazon gift cards for $100 is from Mr. C  I was so blessed this year.  Loved all my gifts.   There have been years I only got a few gifts and some I was blessed beyond measure.  I am always grateful just to spend time with my love ones.  I will always remember the reason we celebrate Christmas. 

 

Blake and Jessica’s children.

Brooks and Hattie

Brooks

Hattie

Logan, Brooks, Hattie

Love all the photo’s Jessica has taken of the kiddo’s.  These babies are so photogenic.  I normally will save photos off of Facebook and print them.  I have a family wall where I will hang them. 

Christmas is such a magical holiday. 

 

Chickasha Festival of Lights

Michelle called and asked if I wanted to go see the lights in Chickasha.  Yes! Yes! I was so excited to go with the grandchildren and Michelle.  I haven’t been to the lights in several years.  This year will be the first that I have actually walked thru the lights.  

Seeing the lights reflect off the water was so beautiful. Am glad my camera picked up the reflection as well as it did.  People from everywhere come to see these lights.

Baby Max and I.  He is my youngest grandson. 

Had to take a photo on the bridge with all the lights.  I felt like the bridge area was enchanted with all the fairy lights. The workers didn’t give us much time to take any pictures. 

Wesley and Angel.

The photo of Michelle and kids.  Didn’t turn out the best.  Am glad I snapped it anyways. So glad Michelle thought about me and invited me along.  Making memories with my grandchildren is very important to me. 

 

Journal pages

I enjoy writing in journals. My favorite book is composition notebook.  I normally glue 2 or 3 pages together to give the page more stability.  

My pages are normally simple. At least I am making progress in writing something everyday. 

 

Hattie turns 1

Hattie’s 1st birthday party.

Jessica trying to get Hattie to eat her cake.  

Lots of great food.  

Grannie with Brooks.  The party turned out really well.  Lots of laughter and fun.  Was nice to see everyone.   

 

Girl’s Day out

Cherrie and I had a much needed girls day out.  We went shopping and ate.  As always I spent way too much money.  But am trying to get Christmas gifts bought. 

Who can resist a margarita?   It’s my favorite drink to order in a restaurant. The chances of them messing it up is close to impossible.

Cherrie had a decent outing as well.  Sure glad we take time to go out for outings.  Sometimes we wait many months before we make a date. 

Texas Roadhouse is always so yummy.  Although I think we were more excited about the adult beverages. 

 

Pedi day

Meet Shelby and Whitney at Pro Nails.  I so needed the pedicure my feet was so rough.  This is not my regular nail technician.  She really hurt my cuticles.  I never had this issue at Jon’s shop.  I think for me I am used to how Jon and his team take care of my feet and me. 

 

Went with a brown fall color for toes.  Went outside my comfort zone.  I tend to stick to pinks.

Pro Nails was so busy Saturday.  Our appointments was at noon.  I waited 45 minutes before they got me in a chair.  Wasn’t mad about wait as we talked and cut up during the wait time.

Tell me that I am not the only one who can’t handle the cheese grater on the soles of the feet.  It literally takes my breath away when they start scrubbing the bottoms of my feet. 

Was nice to hang with the girls outside of work.  Even if I’m the Nana.  Hope we will try to do this monthly.  Would give me something to look forward to on weekends.

 

1st day of school 2023

These kiddos are growing up right before my eyes!  

Wesley,Angel and Clifford. 

 

Kyndall came to visit.

Kyndall is growing up way too fast.  Her Moma and her are staying the weekend with us.  Anytime I get with her makes me so happy.  Our little bench is about to be way small for her.  Will use it till our littles outgrow it.  Love using it for photo prop.  

This fall I will decorate it with a couple of fall mums and such.

I really need to take the wreath down and redo it.  Am leaning towards colorful birds and butterfly’s.  Need to be more creative. 

Love the personalized blankets and gifts.  Am thinking it would be good gifts for the 10 grandchildren. More for birthday gifts.  Need to do some research on them. 

Kyndall was still sleepy this morning .  So I let her sleep as long as wanted.  Although I wanted to squeeze in as much time with her as possible. 

 

Nikki’s baby shower

Nikki and me

Lots of food and fun.  The street tacos were a huge hit. I would say we had lots of food for any age. We had several young ones who loved the hot dogs.

My friends Mindy and Nikki

Nikki and Sam got so many baby items.  Was a great baby shower.

I worked with Nikki for a few months.  She has the kindest sweetest personality I have ever met.  Sure missed her once she left.  Was nice to catch up with her as well meeting her family.

 

Kiddie Land

Michelle called and asked if I would meet them at Kiddie Land in Duncan Okla tonight.  So I could watch baby Max.  That way Wesley and Clifford could ride rides. Michelle could ride some rides with them as well.  

Aaron and Angel came for about a hour.  She had a softball game at 7pm.  Our weather was hot about 90 degrees this afternoon. So not ready for the summer to be here.  The heat always gets me.

Baby Max trying to figure out what Nana is doing with him in the park.  

How cute is Max?  He is very much loved by his siblings and the rest of us.   I hadn’t been to Kiddie Land in years.  Brought back memories of when I took my boys.  Am glad I could watch these grandkids enjoy the same park as their dad did when he was a young boy. 

 

5 year award at work.

I can not tell you how much this award means to me.  When I started working here I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it the first month.  So many elements to this call center.

I knew I needed this opportunity for the benefits.  Especially a steady paycheck,  which I was not getting at flower shop.   

I would like to remain here for a few more years.  The company has been good to me.  Our upper management team works for us.  Not all businesses  can say the same. 

 

Hattie

Ms. Hattie is full of life.  She is beautiful and so sweet.  She does like bothering her brother Brooks.  She does have her older brother Logan wrapped around her finger.  

Jessica and Blake always have the kids dressed nicely. This baby girl looks so much like her daddy.  Although looking at pictures of Jessica I see a lot of her in Hattie.  Love baby girl’s smile and the way her eyes sparkle.

I love how important pictures are to Jessica.  I have always loved taking pictures and keeping them for memories.  I have way too many photos, but do not plan on getting rid of any of them.  Currently am working on putting pictures in photo albums for each of my boy’s family.  

 

Pasta Salads

Pasta Salads are now my main go to for my work lunches.  Am not sure why I haven’t made many of them    thru the years.  For one I think my taste buds have changed over the last several years.  I am finding many foods I did not like I’m currently eating more of them.  I was never a big fan of fruits and vegetables growing up.  I didn’t take my health very serious.  Here I am 56 years old and need to loose weight. I am going to Doctor more this past year.  So am doing some much needed self care.

The diced up food I’m putting in todays pasta salad.  Will take this in my lunch several days this week.  I like that I don’t have to heat it up and can ear right at my desk.  Mr. C. did state he did not want cucumbers in his pasta salad.  So going forward I will chop cucumbers up and put in a container so I can add them to my salad.  

Do you have a favorite pasta recipe that you want to share with me?  I am always looking for fast and easy recipes.  We tend to stay in a rut when it cooks to what foods we cook.