Fall Fun
On this snowy January day I am blogging about Fall...
and
a bit of winter too :)
My usual disclaimer of,
"If you want to stop right here I wouldn't blame you,"
still holds!
If not, grab a warm drink and blanket
(if you are reading this where winter has set in)
and
read to your hearts content!
We had THE perfect Fall this year.
And by perfect
I mean it was warm most days all the way up to Christmas!
Here we are near the end of September still swimming!
Vera does not want anything to do with a float.
She was all about wanting to swim on her own!
Kiely took her to swim lessons today as a matter of fact.
I'm so glad that she's not afraid of the water.
So cute!
Kiely is now teaching swimming lessons at the Fishers YMCA.
She is teaching a pre-school class :)
After she was done swimming
Vera gathered up rocks
and
put them in the watering can of course!
Here she is checking to see if they were in there...
...and they were!
Why was she doing this?
We'll never know
but,
Grammy Kay got her another can for her to fill up!
She was busy for hours! ha!
Last swimsuit picture of the season!
I look at this picture and cannot believe how much she has changed!
Pappy came home from work just in time to play!
Look at that brown little body :)
Back porch conversations with Grammy Kay :)
Such a sweet girl.
Another sweet girl is my Ashley.
I posted this on social media for her birthday.
No truer words!
Kisses for the Birthday girl, V?
Yum...CAKE!
But it would have to wait!
Before Evan took her out to brunch she opened up our gifts.
Polka Dotted Kate Spade thermal cup with straw,
and
Kate Spade organizer!
Melody had given Evan and Ashley this picture
and
I finally got a frame for it
and
gave that to her.
(it's only a year later, it's all good!)
Off they go to eat!
Well,
after E puts his shoes on!
Below is the card that I picked up for her sometime in June.
I had to get it for her because anybody that knows
Ashley
knows that she loves SHOES!!!!
We had a wedding to go to that day.
One of Todd's cousin's sons was the lucky groom!
Here we are killing time before the ceremony!ha!
Emma, Lily, Lindsay, and Greyson!
Graham was loving on his buddy while we were outside
waiting on the bride and groom to leave.
I looked around to see where the rest of the guys were
and
they were all over by Dave's new car!
Come on guys the bride a groom are leaving!
(in a really cool car too I might add)
Such a beautiful ceremony, music, and couple!
We made our way to the Country Club for the reception.
Here is a picture of Mammy and her grand kids :)
Emma and Graham catching up on life.
Todd is no doubt causing trouble with Aunt Nita and Uncle Stan.
The birthday girl!
Evan no doubt is talking politics/law
with Niki...her husband is a Judge!
I love how close they are :)
Todd talking with his Uncle Gerald and Aunt Cornelia.
Precious!
After dinner there was a lot of dancing!
Ashley and Graham.
Ashley and Evan.
I looked up and saw these two sitting alone talking.
If Evan and Ashley ever want to look up to a married couple
they needn't look far.
These two have been married for 65 sweet years!
Their anniversary date is
June 23, 1951 :)
He is a farmer in southern Indiana and she his helpmate
and
loves every minute of it!
#marriagegoals!
And then I look and see these two troublemakers! ha!
Aunt Nita is the biggest kid of them all
(out of 14 brothers and sisters!)
and
Barry
(Todd's cousin)
is the biggest kid out of all the literally hundreds of nieces and nephews! ha!
Todd's Uncle Charlie and Gerald...brothers.
Out of the fourteen kids twelve are still living
and
Uncle Gerald is the only one that lives out of the Richmond area.
When we got home late that night we finally had some cake!
But,
not before a wish was made
and
the candles were blown out!
It was a busy birthday but a really fun one!
The start of Football season always makes it feel like it's officially Fall!
I'm so glad that Todd was able to get season tickets!
Our seats are amazing!
He was her favorite player.
It was great seeing a lot of old teammates come out to support his legacy as a Colt!
The leaves in late September were also showing signs of Fall.
Back porch napping almost didn't happen
due to how beautiful that September blue sky was.
The colored tips against that sky was beautiful!
Nothing like it!
And there was nothing like seeing that red moon!
My pictures are HORRIBLE but I'll never forget that moon
and the way it lit up the sky and everything around it!
I didn't get to actually be with her but I posted this on social media.
No doubt about it
She's "my person"!
I spent that day putting out all things Fall.
I dressed up the mantle in the family room
and
kitchen.
I found this cute metal bowl at Homegoods and stuck these silk flowers in it
for
a centerpiece on top of the kitchen table.
I also filled up the nooks above the fridge and oven with pumpkins.
After I returned from Italy I found this faux Olive tree!
I put out some ceramic
"last year's Hobby Lobby purchase for PENNIES pumpkins"
and
a sign that I got from there this year that works for any season!
It was a drab day and decorating and smelling potato soup cooking on the stove
was good for the soul!
Tony and Todd would tell you that
Limoncello Creme'
is also good for the soul!
And,
they just might be right!
Here they are mixing some up.
It does make one feel all warm and fuzzy inside!
Kinda like
this sweet girl!
I was out running errands and just stopped in one afternoon to see Kiely and Vera.
Later that week we all went to the Pumpkin patch!
She's got her kicker's on and is ready to go!
Precious!
We took a hayride out to the pumpkin/Christmas tree field.
She was looking at the red tractor that was pulling us.
As you can see from what Kiely has on it was a warm and sunny day!
The perfect day to pick a pumpkin!
We also went on a weekday while kids were in school so we practically
had the place to ourselves.
She loved the straw...
...but,
she thought that the pumpkins were pretty neat too!
Love!
I took this picture for Tony...pumpkin blossoms!
While waiting for the others to return we tried to take Vera up to the tractor,
and she thought about it...
andthought some more,
and
decided against it!
She settled for crawling through tractor tires in the play area instead!
After a little play time we attempted to get some pictures
and
got this one and were off to see the farm animals!
Sweet bunnies,
hens, and goats!
It was a wonderful "making memories" kinda day :)
Such a great day and I thought that it was over
until
Graham and I decided to go out to eat later that evening
and
pulled up behind Alan and Kiely!
So we ate with them.
That's a great ending to a fun-filled day!
We ended another great day that month with friends at Bongee's and Matteo's.
Here we are "tailgating" at Bongee's.
People bring their own food and drinks and wait hours for their tables.
Only,
This particular evening all of the tables had been filled for the night and they just opened!
So,
we made reservations elsewhere and tailgated until it was closer to the time our
table was ready at Matteo's.
Me, Cindy, Chip,
Tony, Camille, John, Amy and Todd!
This is Chip checking out the inside of Bongee's.
He has been here twice now and still has not been able to eat here!
At least you got a little closer this time!
Third time will be a charm!
an authentic Italian restaurant in Noblesville,
I shot this picture.
I couldn't help to feel so happy for Tony that he
and
Camille just met a couple of months prior
and all seemed to be going great :)
Also,
I think Tony and Todd called each other and asked what each one was wearing...
OR
maybe they should've called each other! ha!
A morning October walk and the change in color is getting stronger.
I walked down to the lake to see if those leaves had changed much.
They were only starting to a little.
Back at the house Todd was getting ready to launch his two new toys
to see if they worked
before storing them away
for the winter.
The boys will have so much fun with these!
Me,
well...I have memories and they're not good one's soooo we'll see!
That evening I asked Todd if we could go out on the boat to see the Fall foliage
surrounding the lake!
It looks like a piece of candy corn!
You can see the leaves changing a little on this side of the lake!
We weren't out too long
because we were losing daylight.
The days were definitely getting shorter.
I love how the sun was reflecting off of the water.
The poodles were chillaxin' on the blanket!
As we were docking I was thinking to myself,
"The days are numbered and we will soon have to put the boat away for the winter too."
and
looked out to the lake and noticed all of the color from the sunset.
This is unusual since that's the eastern sky!
I knew that it was going to be a spectacular sunset
so
I grabbed my phone and headed to the water!
I swear I couldn't get there fast enough!
And look!
I didn't even have to edit these!!
I wish that I could've been out on the water to see the sun actually setting
but
this was just as good!
And just like that it was over.
But,
the leaves were just beginning!
I took this panoramic shot from the dinning room balcony in the back of our house.
And,
The ducks were starting down our way because of less boat traffic.
You can really start to see the leaves change.
Something else that's changed is the way Vera was eating her food
and
where she was eating it...not in her highchair!
Look at that big girl using her spoon all by herself at the table!
It was pretty yummy yogurt! ha!
I was watching her that day and it was way too pretty to be indoors
so
we headed to the park in her neighborhood!
It went everywhere she went!
We were headed back and stopped to talk about the ducks.
Look at those beautiful red leaves!!!
We grabbed some lunch before nap time.
Vera was "eating" a peanut butter sandwich
until
she saw my spaghetti I warmed up!
So I shared my lunch with her :)
She had to make sure every strand was on the plate!
I kept saying, "Don't you eat my spaghetti!" ha!
I love days with her
and
I never want to lay her down for her nap!
Other days that I love are the ones out on the water.
I knew when Todd said that he would take me out for one more sunset cruise
that those days were over for 2015.
So,
we bundled up and headed out.
These playful gulls kept following us.
I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves...
While we were heading back to our place
I saw all of these ducks migrating under the sunsets warmth.
Until next year!
What a great way to end boating season :)
That next day was spent with some of my favorite cousins!
We had lunch in downtown Indy and then went to a winery down the road.
Nothing says Indiana like a big ol' tenderloin!
This one was from
Nine Brothers Irish Pub in the Mass Ave District.
After our bellies were full we headed off to do some wine tasting.
The winery welcomed us with mums and pumpkins!
Such a cute place in the heart of a not-so-good section of Indy! ha!
Poor Sandy!
NEVER a dull moment with these two!
I only wish I knew how to post video's to my blog posts because the one taken out here
was a doozie!
It still makes me laugh just thinking about it! ha!!
Soon it was Art Retreat Weekend here at The Breakwater Retreat!
Look at the inspiration Tony had to look at for this weekend!
And the front was bursting with color!
Though with all that beauty comes hard work!
The guys were busy outside blowing the leaves
while
I was on the inside washing windows
and
Tony and Camille were cooking dinner for the first night of his
art retreat!
(It's a plus for us all to host a retreat!)
Clean windows!!!
We have so many spiders that make huge webs.
It's impossible to have clean windows in the Fall!
After all of that hard work we all sat down to a feast
and
the last of the Indiana tomatoes :(
We had pumpkin Zuppa Inglese for dessert.
And then just chilled out on the screened-in porch by the fire.
I spent most of the next morning outdoors soaking up the sun
and
all of the Fall color.
And spending time with the poodles
because the next day Mom, Kiely, Vera and I were headed to Florida
to see Becky graduate from Nursing School!
I took one last picture of all the views around me
because
I figured all of the leaves would be gone when I got home.
Ahhh...
Good bye Indiana!
Oh my goodness,
this sign says it all!
We left at O' dark hundred the next day.
Baby supplies, food, and luggage packed!
We're off!
It was a yucky day of travel!
Here we are stretching our legs at a rest stop!
We ended up spending the night in Tennessee.
She ate her dinner, took a shower and was off to bed!
The next morning she woke up SUPER early...poor Kiely!
Here she is snacking on some cereal before we got dressed and went to breakfast.
The cereal
must have given her plenty of energy because here
she is cleaning the bathroom!
As you can see she already used all of the facial tissue
so she finished off the toilet paper roll!
She's handing it to Grammy Kay to throw away.
I walked in and said, "What's going on in here?!"
That little laugh and smile says it all!
Alan and Kiely...you're in trouble with a capital T! ha!
That and...
not getting any sleep on the car ride the day before,
and
not sleeping much the night before in the hotel room
I'm sure were contributing factors ;)
She did so good!
I loved being her back seat buddy :)
We made it!!
Becky and her dad came out to welcome us.
Chad came in later from work.
Vera wasn't too sure about it all just yet.
Kiely and Alan, who joined us the next day,
stayed with Chad and Becky
and
Mom and I stayed at the Naval Lodge.
We woke up the next morning to this view!
You don't even know how hard Becky fought to get us this room!
Thank you, Becky!
Of course
I grabbed my phone and started taking sunrise pictures...EVERY morning!
Mom joined me with coffee in hand!
AHHH...!
Becky let me use her car so later that morning went back to their house
which is just minutes from the base.
Vera was busy with puzzles.
Look at poor Deebo, Kiely!
He just wants some attention :(
Vera gave him some...and a pumpkin too!
The paparazzi!!
It soon was time for the reason we went to FL!
Look at that beautiful RN!
Here she is getting her class picture taken.
I love how Vera is looking at her.
We took turns watching Vera until the program started.
It was nearing her bedtime and she was being so good!
Family picture!
(I melt...)
I love them.
Here we are inside waiting for the ceremony to begin.
There she is!!
Here she is getting her pin.
I am so proud of you, Becky!
Big smiles!!
Grandma Kay is one proud Grandma!
Two RN's in the family!!
Got this one in before Vera ran off!
Super proud Papa!!
And how sweet of her neighbors to be there for her!
I told her she has her own "Tom and Karen!"
So, so happy that she had more behind her than in front of her.
Now she only had to pass state boards...which she did with ease!
Ummm...
I noticed after this picture was taken
that I had one of Vera's stickers on me that said,
"Trick or Treat" on it.
Yep, see it
on the section of my body that should never have such a sticker on it!! HA!
I can't complain as I was the one who introduced her to stickers just months prior.
What a great picture!
The next day was Vera's first beach day!
After that gorgeous sunrise it was time to hit the beach.
Momma and Daddy getting pictures of this first time she was in the sand.
First time in the ocean!
She absolutely LOVED it!!
She kept wanting to get in but Kiely didn't have her suit on yet.
Pictures with Daddy's hat on :)
Now she's ready to get wet!
And make sandcastles with Papa Don!
Soon Chad was able to join us!
Grammy Kay played in the water too!
Chasing seagulls...my sister's heart would be bursting.
I want to believe that that seagull was her right there with them :)
I feel so blessed
that I was able to experience the first time at the beach with her :)
That night we grilled out at the beach and took some family pictures.
Be still my heart...
I took this picture as I helped move the food over to our room.
We didn't realize that the pavilion we were grilling in
was going to be used in a few hours for a wedding reception!
It was way too nice to sit inside and eat so we set up the chairs on the patio.
We sat out there and ate and laughed.
I love nights like that.
The next day mom and I woke up super early
because a glass plate slid off of the counter top in the kitchen
in the wee hours of the morning
and scared us to death!
It hit the tile and shards of glass were everywhere!
We cleaned it all up
and
I thought...
...as long as I'm up I'll take pictures of the sunrise!
(I know you're shocked!)
I felt like I was in Tuscany looking at a sunset in this picture.
Morning silhouettes of palms.
And that mylar looking sky!!!!
It doesn't even look real!
Mom spotted Chad's ship coming in to port!
He of course was not on it at the time
but
it was the one that he was deployed on all Spring and Summer.
You remember, the one on which he broke his foot!
We all were able to go tour it that afternoon!
Another proud Grandma Kay moment!!
Chad is signing us in.
This young man said the nicest things about Chad.
It was nice that Chad was able to see his past shipmates.
This is was Chad's bunk room.
There is NO WAY I could be a sailor!
Flight deck.
Some more Shipmates :)
The gentlemen holding the food was Chad's best friend while on the ship.
I took this picture and the one's below to give you a perspective of how
tight the hallways
and
stairways...or should I say ladders are.
Grandma handled them like a Champ!
She was not going to let anything get in her way of seeing where her beloved
grandson spent his days at sea!
This is Chad reenacting the way he broke his foot
when he was showing Alan and Kiely around the ship.
OUCH!
This is where the helicopter pilots ate their meals.
It houses Jason Dunham's,
whom the ship is named after,
uniform, medal, sword etc.
He lost his life for his squad in Iraq.
A true American hero!
Here we are at the top of the ship where the captain and co-captain sit.
The Captains Chair.
His viewpoint.
Kiely waving down at us during her tour.
The Jason Dunham
Mom, Becky and I were entertaining Vera.
If you look to your right you can see a porpoise!
They were swimming everywhere!
Uncle Chad's the best!
Someday soon I hope that these two can start their family :)
She looks pretty good in your arms, Chad!
Ok,
enough shameless plugs for you to start a family! ;)
We went back to Chad and Becky's to eat lunch and let Vera take her nap.
While she was napping Kiely and Chad went kayaking.
I took these pictures from Chad and Becky's backyard.
Here comes Alan on the paddle board!
That night was Halloween!
Vera went as a dalmatian doggie!
This is her coming out to show us.
What a doll!
We went with her over to Chad and Becky's neighbor's house.
As soon as she got there she sat down and wasn't going to go any further!
Momma picked her up and took her inside to get her treat.
In FL one uses a sand bucket for their candy!
We only took her to the one house.
And then we were off to get Navy shirts!
Here,
Becky is posing for me as I send pictures to the boys to see which style they wanted.
Of course,
Graham wanted this one! ha!
Sorry Buddy, that one's for Vera!
(Becky, you're so fine!)
And just like that our trip down south was already over.
I hate goodbyes :(
Though,
I think Deebo will be glad to have his Daddy's lap back! ha!
We left early that next day...after I took one more sunrise picture!
We stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch.
We made it to North Carolina and stopped for the night.
After we put Vera down we ate all of Gma's Milk Duds while watching
the first Christmas Hallmark Movie!
We also watched Ashley's YouTube tutorial on how to "pancake" a braid!
I did Kiely's hair!
That night was so much fun!
While on the last leg home we stopped at Chick-fil-a
and
were ready to pull out and noticed Gma's cup on the car!
Indiana!
Home at last!
Honestly,
The leaves were prettier here than in the mountains!
I was so glad that there were some still left on the trees!
That evening I walked down to the lake.
It was a "cotton candy" sunset!
The end of that week Mammy came to stay for a couple nights.
I went walking early Friday morning
and
it was like I was walking through a fairy tale!
The sun was trying to pop out!
I showered and we met Todd and Evan for lunch.
Mammy trying Sushi for the first time!
That next day Graham ran in his first half marathon.
The Monumental Run in Indy.
He ran with a good friend Maddie that also goes to Butler and also went to PHHS.
She graduated a year behind Graham.
Ashley and I tried to be there at the finish line
but didn't make it in time
so
we met them in Broad Ripple to get refueled!
Great job you two!
Evan was helping Todd blow leaves when we got home.
Ornery!
That next day Todd got suite tickets from 5/3
so
the boys used our two tickets and we went to see
the
Cotls Vs. Bronco's!
I always love this part!
The roof was wide open on this beautiful NOVEMBER Sunday afternoon!
Alan and Kiely were sitting right down from the boys!
Such a cute picture!
These two...;)
This was so true of our Fall!
Progression of the changing colors.
I took these that Monday morning before the rains came and took most of the leaves down.
Even the Oak leaf Hydrangea's were in full color!
And my Rhododendron's were blooming again because it had been so warm.
November 9 marked 57 years of marriage for
Mom and Dad.
This picture was taken the year before at Evan and Ashely's wedding.
Here's to MANY more!
On November 13 Todd and I went with Tony and Camille,
Camille's friend and her husband Susan and Mark,
and
Tony's sister, Judy
and
Zenephia
(whom met us there)
to
Lebanon, IN
for
"Rock the Manger"!
Here we are on the car ride there.
We had dinner and while everyone was eating
those who wanted to
could put down a bid on a nativity scene that was up for auction.
The nativity's had been given to St. Joseph's Catholic Church
(where Tony used to be a priest)
for many years from missionaries all over the world!
They had been sitting in a closet all boxed up.
One of the patrons came up with an idea to have an auction
and
use the money raised to send the youth to
Krakow Poland.
I thought that it was a wonderful idea!
Judy, Camille and Tony
Me and Todd right before we hit the dance floor!
The Flying Toasters.
If they are ever at a venue near you
GO!
Zenephia and Tony dancing.
Camille and Tony.
What a fun night!
Great band, food and fun
all for a good cause!
Something else that is great fun,
for Graham anyway,
is to visit
Justin at his art studio.
This is a post on IG that Justin posted.
Graham posted this one.
It's so good to see Graham loving school, running in marathon's and painting.
He is so happy and it truly shows.
He's a different kid from this time last year!
Something else that is different is Amy's parents lake home...
or should I say,
lack thereof!
This beautiful Indiana sunset is on Bass Lake.
Isn't it gorgeous!
Amy and I went to surprise Julie
in Plymouth
where she was working at her sister's store.
It was her sister's
Christmas Open House.
As the afternoon wore on
Amy asked if we minded going to the lake to see the progress
on her parents lake home.
They were just in the beginning stages of tearing it down.
Of course we didn't mind
and
of course we hurried there to capture the sun setting!
Our selfie...missing Kimmie :(
So,
this is the empty lot with only the newly constructed two story garage in the distance.
The new home is going to be fabulous!
Before we left we went into the garage to use the restroom.
While I was waiting on the others I was looking at all of the pictures.
What sweet memories Amy's mom, Amy,
and now her children, and brother's children will continue to have.
I didn't want to leave that fire-in-the-sky sunset
but
we were hungry and food trumps nature! ha!
I am looking forward to the finished product!
Something else I always look forward to are my play dates with Greyson!
This day he was so much fun.
We were outside most of the two hours he was here.
We found walking sticks, splashed in puddles,
and walked to the lake and threw pine cones and rocks into the water!
We did come inside for a little bit and he loved playing in the workout room!
Lindsay said he was worn out when he got home.
Love!
Speaking of love...
Evan's good friend Mitchell got married to the love of his life!
This picture was taken at Evan's wedding.
I teased Mitchell's mom then and said that he was going to be next!
It was a beautiful wedding and reception.
I had started painting the family room the day before the wedding
so
I was anxious to get back home and finish it.
It used to be a brick red.
I didn't really mind the color, but I was ready to try something new.
So,
Friday afternoon after Greyson left
I painted it this grey
and
I liked the color
but,
not with the brick
and
not with the color I had just painted in the kitchen and hallways!
So,
I went to bed! ha!
The next day I ran to the basement
and
pulled a can of paint that held the color that I used in the media room down there.
After painting a section in areas around the room
I was sold!
We stopped by Lowes after the wedding
so I could grab some paint.
I came home, changed my clothes, turned on Hallmark Christmas movies,
and
painted in to the wee hours of the morning!
Love it!
That's more what I had in mind!
While I was busy painting upstairs
Graham was busy in the basement
assembling
Vera's Christmas gift from all of us.
Adding his artwork to her fridge chalkboard!
He did a great job!
This thing had a million and one pieces and he had it put together in an hour and a half!
Something that took me more like a year and a half was filling this huge cabinet.
I knew that I wanted it to be my "wedding cabinet"
but
I am the worst when it comes to framing pictures!
I've had all of the frames and pictures
but
no time to actually sit down and make it happen!
It also inspired me to finally frame and hang the original pencil drawings
Todd's cousin Monte sketched
for our change of address cards
two years ago!
I loved how they turned out!
I purchased the reclaimed frames
when we had our Fripp home thinking I would use them there.
I love the way they match the reclaimed wood used on the cocktail table.
After I hung the pictures I decided to go ahead and decorate for Christmas.
At the time I thought that I would be hosting Thanksgiving
so I was trying to knock things out.
(mom ended up hosting)
So happy with the color!
(picture by Ashley)
Hers
and
his
stockings.
(picture by Ashely)
(picture by Ashley)
(picture by Ashley)
(picture by Ashley)
(picture by Ashley)
(picture by Ashley)
(picture by Ashley)
Most all of my decorations I purchased last year
However,
I had to go to one of my favorite Christmas stores,
Macnemara Floral!
I saw these carolers
and
this
HOPE "nativity scene"
and loved the colors and knew right where I wanted to place them.
Todd has now banned me from that store! ha!
I also went to the basement
and
brought out an old sled that we had gotten the boys when they were small,
my old ice skates,
and an old wreath to decorate the front porch.
I had gotten the pine cone trees, pillows, and blankets last year.
To finish the look I
brought around some chairs that were sitting on a patio in the back.
Todd, Tom and I worked and worked
to get the landscape lights cleaned and all working.
I love the way these light up this Sycamore tree!
That night I collapsed and finally sat down
and
just stared at the lights while everyone was sleeping.
I felt ready for the holiday fun to start!
Nothing says fun like Glen and Ginny Cleland!
They are our neighbors.
(Ginny is pictured in the center)
The night before Thanksgiving Todd and I went over to Ginny and Glen's for pizza.
An old girlfriend of hers and her boyfriend happened to stop in and stayed for the evening.
How we ended up in Ginny's closet taking selfies
and
trying on her fur coats is beyond me!
(ps. her ring is real...mine is NOT! ha!)
She is a nut!
They are in Florida for the winter
and
I do miss them!
I was reluctant to meet new neighbors when we moved here...
but
I'm so glad that Todd encouraged me to do so!
We hope to visit them down south for a few days next month!
Todd, Me, Tony and Camille layered up and went to
Purdue for the
Old Oaken Bucket game against IU.
It was and ugly game!
Purdue lost :(
We had a great time
and
a fantastic dinner on the way home!
We stopped at Stookey's Bar and Grill in Thorntown, IN.
Best. Steak. Ever!
And just like that it's December!
This Friday Graham went as Santa
to the Jingle Bell Bash party at his fraternity house.
December 6 brought these visitors to my house
to wish me a happy birthday :)
I was busy cleaning and getting ready for a surprise party
Todd was giving me.
That is all that he would tell me.
Clean the house
because some people might want to come over after we go out.
I had NO idea that the surprise party
was with most all of my favorite people all in one place!
I was sad that a few college friends couldn't make it.
Todd did such a great job!
Amy M., Amy G.. Tina, me, Sandy, Kimmie, Gretchen
(not pictured were Julie, Eileen, Dawn, and Kitty)
He knows me too well!
A party/overnight with my girls was the best surprise!
He even got my favorite cake from my favorite bakery!
And my favorite chef
Tony
made Mama Levi's gravy
and
Camille helped too!
Todd hired Wine and Canvas
to come in and teach us how to paint a
Tuscan themed painting!
I wasn't in this conversation
but
I imagine Todd is telling the artist that Tony is Italian
and
we were all just in Tuscany together in the Spring. :)
(the artist studied in Florence!)
While they were setting things up
these two stole my phone and started acting up! ha!
It's a good thing I love these two!
We were ready to get started!
They brought a big speaker for music and everything!
This is what our painting will look like when we're finished...right?!
Meanwhile,
all I can look at in this photo
is the chocolate bread that Tony made!!
Tina and I took the table closest to the door because we were so hot!
We also were trying to copy off of Kim's picture because hers was so good! ha!
So intense!
Ginny joined us!
Lookin' good!
I'm tellin' ya
sitting the two Amy's beside each other spells
nothing
but
TROUBLE!
This is when it was time to paint the Cyprus Trees!
I was practicing on paper
and
even trying to channel my inner Bob Ross
to help me start painting "a happy little tree" riiight there!
Everyone is just going to town on their trees!
And,
they look great!
I finally put the paint brush on the canvas and did my trees.
And the two Amy's...
They just went rouge with their brushes! ha!
Ta Da!!
Great job everyone!
(remnants of the party)
Thank you, Todd
for making me feel like I was turning fifteen instead of fifty!
This girl acts like she's fifteen in these pictures! ha!
Ha!
Kiely and I took her shopping that morning
for her Christmas dress
to wear at our Christmas get together.
I told Kiely last year that I want to buy her Christmas dress every year
even when it's her Christmas Dance dress when she IS fifteen!
Star Wars Night!
I took this picture of the sky right before I left to watch Vera while
Alan and Kiely,
and
Evan and Ashley went to IMAX
for the much anticipated Star Wars movie!
Obviously it was a pink and grey kinda night!
Vera and I cuddled down and watched a Christmas Paw Patrol movie.
With Mercedes of course!
I think that I got the better end of the deal!
At this point I think Vera is questioning the
"Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
part! ha!
Santa came to Kiely's neighborhood to their community building
so they took Vera there to see him...maybe next year will be better!
One thing that will make her smile is
cookie day!!
It was a gorgeous morning!
I took some
"before the cookie mess"
pictures of the kitchen!
All set and ready to make a mess!
Ashley,
thank you for taking these pictures on my phone!
They're here!
Pictures around the tree before cookie baking time.
And some coloring while we set everything up.
Her first cookie!
I loved how she smashed the sugar container down on the cookie :)
Ready to bake!
Look at those sweet bare feet!
Graham decided to color in Vera's book when he woke up.
On to the next tray!
This was the tray where Grammy taught Vera the best part of cookie day,
how to eat the dough!!!
And,
cheering on the Colts!
Graham decorates the best cookies!
Vera loves all of my birds on the tree.
Here she is saying, "Pat, pat, pat" while petting the bird :)
She also loves playing with Vladimir and his ball!
It's usually the first thing she does when she comes over.
Here she is dancing on the table saying, "Yee-haw!"
I love all of the pink and purple on Ashley's cookies :)
She was supposed to have the whole day with us but it ended up
she had to go in to work :(
And,
Vera had to go home with Daddy and take her nap.
We didn't knock out as many different kinds of cookies and fudge as we used to.
We are all older
and
we all want to just play with Vera!
I see nothing wrong with that!
These were some of Graham's masterpieces!
The following day was
"A Christmas Carole"
and
the Colts were playing for a spot in the playoffs.
The boys went down to Indy early for the game and met us at the theatre
which left room for all of us to go together...
which came in handy later!
Camille and Tony
and
Tom and Karen
joined us this year.
I didn't get their picture by the IRT tree
because of the boys coming in late from the game.
So I took this one at Harry and Izzy's.
What I didn't know was how bad my Evan was feeling.
I will get to that in a minute but would like to take this time
to call attention to the back of Ashely's dress!
And,
to the three stooges!
He tried to tuff it out but he and Graham ended up leaving us because
he had food poisoning!!!!
(he got it that early afternoon at Yatz)
Just that week Ashley had food poisoning from the chicken noodle soup at Panera Bread.
Which explains why she almost inhaled her french onion soup!
And
her dessert!! ha!
I love Indianapolis anytime of the year
but
at Christmastime it's magic. :)
Ashley and Camille
Ashley had planned on riding with the boys back home
but
had to endure riding with us old folks!
We brought some steak home for Graham
and
he gave the bone to Doug first.
Don't feel bad for V.
He later took it from him and gnawed it down to nothing!
I always love this night.
However,
I think that we are going to plan something else to do as a family for next year.
We will probably want to go back
and
take Vera when she is older
or
when we have a grandchild to take :)
New traditions are never a bad idea!
A new tradition I would like to have EVERY December 22
is a picnic in the park like we had this year for Tina!
Tina and I setting up for her lunch on her lunch break from work.
If I look like, "Ahhh, I don't know what I'm doing!"
it's because I didn't!
I was going to capture this moment though!
We had Mama Bear's for lunch
and
Amy stopped and picked up some cupcakes for dessert!
I love these two to pieces!
I'm so glad that we met over 18 years ago!
I texted Tina the night before our get together
and typed,
"We'll just do it in the park!"
Ummm...that came out wrong! ha!
So, I was just following through with the silliness!
Saying our good-byes and wishing one another Merry Christmas!
It was one of the best hours in 2015 hands down.
When I got home I let out the dogs to play!
It was so gorgeous!!
You can barely see Doug to the left of the tree in the center
and
V sitting in the shadow of it.
They are both
waiting on the squirrel that climbed way up to the top.
Todd was even inspired to finish cleaning the rest of the garage!
Tom is no longer allowed in there! ha!
Though, with all of that beautiful weather
came the dreaded December storms!
In a matter of seconds it came and went!
We had a huge tree
that was uprooted in the back and fortunately fell towards the woods
and
not the house!
Look at that root ball!
Simultaneously,
out in the front our huge old oak tree fell.
The branches just missed our new neighbors new fence! whew!
Debris blocked the golf cart path to the lake.
It literally split in two.
This is another section of it blocking our drive.
And the other section.
If you look at our neighbors house down the street
(white house)
and
to the right
you can see how the straight line winds knocked their big pine to the ground.
The oak also took out this smaller tree.
What a mess!
So,
the boys spent Christmas Eve helping Cruz and his crew clean up
so
that people could make it in to our drive Christmas Day.
We celebrated our Christmas
Christmas Eve.
Evan and Ashley go to her Dad's Christmas morning and
by the time they return and get ready our families are strolling in.
And,
I really don't mind when we celebrate.
Just as long as we all can sometime as a family.
Graham opening up Evan and Ashley's gift.
It's a brush for his long hair!
Evan opened up one of Ashley's gifts.
It said
Season's greetings from the Skywalker's! ha!
Graham got Ashley a dog...sorta!
He did get her a lip color she hasn't been able to find!
Evan checking out some new boots Dad and I got him.
Graham is wearing the hat that Ashley made him while opening up another gift.
and
that Todd thought was a bra! ha!
Doug chewing on his new chew toy!
Evan trying on the raincoat Ashley got for him.
He actually liked it!
Yay!
One never knows with him :)
It looks very nice!
Graham opening up one of Ashley and Evan's gifts to him.
Vladimir just wants the ribbon!
It was cologne.
Ashely opening up the gift from Todd and I.
Since she has started her own You Tube and blog she has been
wanting a camera/video recorder!
She was so happy!
And,
this boy is so happy to finally have some chords!
So happy in fact that he stripped down right there and tried them on!
Christmas Day!
We had Todd's mom and her friend Jim here
along with my side of the family
(excluding Tyler, Chad and Becky).
We brought up Vera's kitchen
and
Grammy and Pappy put the chair that they got her next to it.
There was no need trying to wrap this or keep it from her.
I couldn't wait until she saw it!
We all ate in the kitchen.
jWe have a dining room
but
I wanted everyone to sit together.
Momma's food always looks better!
After we ate we gathered in the family room to open presents.
My family drew names this year.
Each person spent up to OR no more than $50.00.
In the recent past we stopped doing presents but bought for Vera last year.
It IS NOT what Christmas is about,
but
it was nice opening a little something from each other :)
Vera played with the poodles while
Uncle Troy was passing out the gifts.
We wanted Vera to go first.
Deebo doggie from Uncle Troy and Aunt Ellen.
Speaking of dogs!
They all
(including Trixie, Mammy's dog)
gathered over by Gma Kay!
A book from Aunt Ellen and Uncle Troy.
And Minnie Mouse that sang,
"Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog!"
You should've seen her light up when that came on.
Vera loves that song!
Mammy got her this toy.
It cracked me up that she wanted to play with each toy before moving on.
She figured this one out in no time!
Grammy and Pappy got her some dishes for her kitchen!
Bangin' on the pots and pans is always fun!
Graham drew Kiely and he got her some frames from
Chip and Joanna Gains store,
Magnolia!
Jim and Mammy opened up our gifts to them.
We got them both a new laptop computer.
Well,
Jim opened his up all the way
but,
Mammy was going to wait until she got home!
Next,
Dad opened up his gift from Ashley
with help from Vera!
It was an IU jacket.
Mom opened up my gift to her.
It was a cashmere cardigan sweater.
Ashley opening up Gma Kay's gift to her
this was a rose gold Kate Spade bracelet
and
the cutest domed ring holder from Pottery Barn.
Evan opened up his gift from Gpa.
A new sweater.
And,
Alan opened up his gift from Evan.
A new Star Wars game!
Not pictured opening up each others gifts was Todd and Troy's gift to each other.
They both got each other Lowes gift cards!
I opened up a snow globe, and bath and bodyworks goodies from Ellen.
And,
Ellen unwrapped a T-shirt, and autographed picture from Chip and JoAnna
given to her by Kiely.
Pictures before everyone leaves!
I love the way Vera is looking at Uncle Todd here!
Pappy and Grammy!
Graham and Vera
She was enjoying her new chair with her drink from a special old cup.
I remember watching my great-grandmother,
my Nana
fill this up and take it to bed with her.
When my grandma moved out of her condo
and
in to assisted living
my mom lined her belongings up on the floor for anyone to take
and
this was still sitting there when I went to see if there was something I wanted!
She will be making all sorts of make believe meals for a long time :)
I can't wait to go and play with her!
And while I'm on the subject of making things...
Look at these cute hats that Ashley made for her girls at work!
She gave them their hats at their Christmas party :)
She is still managing the Greenwood Dottie store and as I previously stated
she has created her own You Tube page for all things fashion and braid tutorials!
Every Thursday she Styles the hair at the Dottie shoots.
Here is just a sample of what she does.
What a talent!
(picture taken by Ashley)
When she's not busy taking pictures/video for her blog
she's taking pictures of things around the house
(pictures that I tagged her in on this post)
or
of Evan, Lehe and Kevin racing!
Lehe was at The Citadel with Evan
and
is now attending Virginia Tech for graduate school.
He came to Indiana to not only see Evan but to also ski.
But,
at the time it was too warm to even make fake snow last.
So they settled for racing!
Great shot of the flag and Evan winning!
It was time to clean up the screened in porch from the December storms.
I always hate covering everything up :(
Until next year...
Alan and Kiely had a gift card to eat out that was going to expire soon
so I hurried up and went over there after cleaning up the porch.
I'm glad that they could have an afternoon lunch...just the two of them :)
Well,
would you look at those cute little pony tails!!
She looks like she's five!
She was watching a show and looked at me and said Paw Paw?
Which means Paw Patrol.
I kept trying to get it on the TV
and
she kept repeating Paw, Paw...Paw, Paw with her hand out.
I saw this later and had to laugh.
I was like sure I can figure this out hold on a minute, no problem!
Well,
I did figure it out eventually but it took way more than a minute! ha!
We went down to the basement to play with her new toys.
And,
with some of her old one's too :)
She was all set up!
We baked yummy cupcakes...
...and made some chili!
Next it was time to go to the store.
We needed to gas up the car though...
I know what we can use Vera!
Daddy's bicycle tire pump ;)
She thought that that was a great idea!
Ha!
She wanted the air to blow in her face!
All done!
It was time to put her down for her nap so she would be able to celebrate
New Years Eve that evening!
We had a very low key get together.
A pizza, some wings, and a little bubbly to toast in the new year.
This is always what was on our table in Italy.
One drinks just a little before dinner to cleanse the pallet.
It's like two dollars a bottle in Italy compared to twelve dollars a bottle here
in the states.
Vera played with her stickers while watching Paw Patrol
and
Kiely and I sipped on some
Prosecco.
Vera had a snack
and
the poodles suddenly became very interested in what she was doing!
She remembered coloring on my calendar at Christmas
and
went to my office to get it!
Eating her apple and getting sleepy.
Got a group shot before they all headed back to Alan and Kiley's
to put Vera to bed and continue the party.
Graham stayed the night over there and I picked these two up after midnight.
It was such a nice evening.
The next day brought New Year's Day
and
Tony's birthday!
The top left picture Tony is reenacting the scene of him and I eating affragoto's in Italy.
The second one is of me and Camille whom I am so glad to know!
Then it's us and Judy, Tony's sister...love her!
And
the last one is two of Tony's favorite things...Truffles (mushrooms) and Camille :)
Two of my favorite things are in this picture...
no, not the bread sticks and salad!
Vera and the birthday girl,
my sweet nice, Kiely!
I told her I would take her anywhere and she chose
Olive Garden!
Vera loved the cake!
She's saying
peace and trying to hold up two fingers like the peace sign!
Uncle Todd taught her that! ha!
It was a quick lunch but I'm so glad we did it!
The cleanup is still continuing.
It took them two days to get this tree cut up in to pieces they could handle.
As you can see by the dusting of snow it was getting colder.
They finished just in time before the first snow arrived.
I ran over to my mom and dad's that evening to pick up some of my Nana's china.
My mom was needing the room in her china cabinet for some new china
she has wanted since the day she got married!
She found it on a website and it will be here soon.
I can't wait to see it!
I was thrilled to take this china home with me.
My Nana used to work at Rosenbaum's Jewelry store
in Anderson late 1940's-50's.
It's not a whole set
but
the pieces that I do have I will cherish!
I remember eating all of our holiday meals on this china over at my grandma's house :)
I hope to pass it on when the time presents itself.
I would like to pass this snow on!!
Though,
I have to admit...there is just something about that first snow of the year!
It hung on the branches like that for days!
Daytime into the evening it was so pretty to look at.
The next morning's sunrise just stood out and had the same glow as the street light.
I can take the snow if there is sunshine!
It doesn't necessarily make it warmer out
but
it's so bright when it hits that white snow.
BRRRRR...it is soooo cold outside!
That's why
if you need me I'll be upstairs sitting on the new window seat!
This used to be a study area which is great if you have four kids
which the original owners who built this house did.
To me it was just wasted space.
I knew that this is one of the sunniest spots in the house
and
I could just imagine sitting in this sun-filled space
reading to Vera, napping, or just hanging out.
So in the summer we had someone come in and convert it into a window seat!
I had him make new desks tops on either side so that there would still be some work space.
I am so happy with how it turned out!
Before,
during,
during,
(seat cushion fabric and labor was custom made at Calico Corners)
and
after!
I covered that pumpkin colored paint
which filled this room and both hallways upstairs with darkness.
And,
lightened it up using the trim color for the walls in the window seat area
so it would balance out the
white bookshelves across from it.
In the hallways
I continued right up both staircases with the hallway/kitchen color from downstairs.
Before,
after a little organizing!
I had gone to Pottery Barn outlet in OH this past summer
and
found these chairs for the kitchen balcony.
I was wanting to bring them in to store them for the winter
and
then it hit me...
use them upstairs!
I purchased these topiaries from Homegoods and they seemed too plain.
So I added the chevron burlap ribbon
and
plain burlap to make them more interesting.
The wire tennis shoe,
which is rather interesting,
was made by Graham in a 3D Art class when he was at Wabash.
He couldn't believe it made the cut! ha!
I found this storage bench at Homegoods along with the tray
and topiary which is smaller in size compared to the ones on the shelves.
I went to the basement and pulled out the blue and white china dish
my parents got me on a trip,
and
a candle that I had tucked away.
Last but not least my friend Kim made my window treatment.
I purchased the fabric at Hobby Lobby for the laundry room downstairs
but
changed my mind immediately when Todd gave the "go ahead" for this space!
We are half way through January already!
Thank goodness!!!
I am thinking of warmer days and the amazing year that lies ahead!
So many exciting things on the horizon that I will share with you in the next post!
I hope that you all...
