Happy Holidays to all!! Wow! 2008 already?? I hope this coming year finds your life filled with God's BEST!! Here are a few reflections of my December... lots of smiles and warm memories.
The main reason for my big smile?? Just look at the photo below... two of the greatest "treasures" in my life... my lovely daughters... truly two of my best friends... I am humbled by their love for me, am so very proud of the women they have become and I'm so grateful for all that they bring into my life.
My youngest daughter was the "Ideal Hostess"... watch out Martha Stewart!! It took very little effort for older sis Becca and me to help, and there's no place we would rather be than all together!! What FUN!!
I have to mention my son-in-law as well... he treats me like a queen... who wouldn't love that? A young man of strong character & integrity... plus he puts up with all of us women! ha!!
Shall we sing? These photos are the reason for our "gathering"... the annual Christmas party!! The pianist was hired and I was recruited to lead Christmas Carols... we had a blast!! Over 50 people enjoyed the festivities, including neighbors, family & friends... it was fantastic!! "Jingle Bells" was a favorite with the kids!!
Joe & Emma start off the "kids" portion of the party downstairs! It was crazy!! They all had so much fun, but we definitely will have someone assigned to "kid duty" next year! Toddlers, kids and boys, boys, boys everywhere!! Ha!
Auntie Becca & "Cassie" (her alias!) sported a new fashion in the kitchen! Too funny! Another generation of
jokesters!! I LOVE it!! Can you ever laugh too much??
Michigan grand babies in their new Christmas dresses.... does it get any cuter??
A highlight of our visit in MI?... a trip to
Frankenmuth, where we visited the largest Christmas store in the U.S... It was freezing cold outside, but we had a ball anyway!! I picked up a few new ornaments that reflect some of the special places I've traveled this year. And in this little town?? Jesus is alive and well and they are proud to display the "Good News" everywhere! And how happy was I to be surrounded by grand babies?? I was in "
Nonnie Heaven"! grin!
Back in NJ, Becca, Joe, Emma and I took the train into NYC.... look out Big Apple... here we come!!! Becca is my "energizer bunny" girl and we always do NYC in a BIG way when she comes to visit! Thanks to her I'm ready for "willing and able" (ha!) visitors who are anxious to enjoy the City!...
Baby Emma was all smiles taking in the sights and sounds of the city... it was pretty special too to put on
Nonnies fur hat, but I think she still wonders if
Nonnie is a little "nutty"... ha!!
Dinner in Time Square at
Bubba Gumps, the beautiful tree and decorations at Rockefeller Center, window treats at Macy's and Saks... it was magical!! Joe walked for hours without a word about being tired... what a trooper! But by the end of the night we were all ready for a "long winter's nap"!! Happy New Year everyone!!
The main reason for my big smile?? Just look at the photo below... two of the greatest "treasures" in my life... my lovely daughters... truly two of my best friends... I am humbled by their love for me, am so very proud of the women they have become and I'm so grateful for all that they bring into my life.
My youngest daughter was the "Ideal Hostess"... watch out Martha Stewart!! It took very little effort for older sis Becca and me to help, and there's no place we would rather be than all together!! What FUN!!
I have to mention my son-in-law as well... he treats me like a queen... who wouldn't love that? A young man of strong character & integrity... plus he puts up with all of us women! ha!!
Shall we sing? These photos are the reason for our "gathering"... the annual Christmas party!! The pianist was hired and I was recruited to lead Christmas Carols... we had a blast!! Over 50 people enjoyed the festivities, including neighbors, family & friends... it was fantastic!! "Jingle Bells" was a favorite with the kids!!
Joe & Emma start off the "kids" portion of the party downstairs! It was crazy!! They all had so much fun, but we definitely will have someone assigned to "kid duty" next year! Toddlers, kids and boys, boys, boys everywhere!! Ha!
Auntie Becca & "Cassie" (her alias!) sported a new fashion in the kitchen! Too funny! Another generation of jokesters!! I LOVE it!! Can you ever laugh too much??
Michigan grand babies in their new Christmas dresses.... does it get any cuter??
A highlight of our visit in MI?... a trip to Frankenmuth, where we visited the largest Christmas store in the U.S... It was freezing cold outside, but we had a ball anyway!! I picked up a few new ornaments that reflect some of the special places I've traveled this year. And in this little town?? Jesus is alive and well and they are proud to display the "Good News" everywhere! And how happy was I to be surrounded by grand babies?? I was in "Nonnie Heaven"! grin!
Back in NJ, Becca, Joe, Emma and I took the train into NYC.... look out Big Apple... here we come!!! Becca is my "energizer bunny" girl and we always do NYC in a BIG way when she comes to visit! Thanks to her I'm ready for "willing and able" (ha!) visitors who are anxious to enjoy the City!... 
Baby Emma was all smiles taking in the sights and sounds of the city... it was pretty special too to put on Nonnies fur hat, but I think she still wonders if Nonnie is a little "nutty"... ha!!
Dinner in Time Square at Bubba Gumps, the beautiful tree and decorations at Rockefeller Center, window treats at Macy's and Saks... it was magical!! Joe walked for hours without a word about being tired... what a trooper! But by the end of the night we were all ready for a "long winter's nap"!! Happy New Year everyone!! 
