Did You All Enjoy Your Christmas?

[Janet]

Ours was very nice. Christmas for us started on the Wednesday the 23rd. We went to my Mom's house. Ricky was a little late in getting there because he had to work. My two brothers and their families were there too. Mom was feeling really good so she sat on the floor (as usual) and passed out the gifts.

We don't usually take gifts to Mom's. We don't buy for my brothers or their families...just got too expensive and no one really wanted to draw names. So we all just buy for Mom, but since she spends Christmas Eve with us, we wait and give her ours on Christmas morning.

Seems Mom tells everyone she wants the same thing so she'll make sure she gets it....lolol. I already took my gifts back that I got for her, but my two brothers were 3 for 3 in getting her the same thing....LOL. At Mom's, I recieved two books that I wanted....'The Perfect Dog' by Cesear Milan and 'A Letter To My Daughter' by Maya Angelou. Can't wait to start reading them.

This morning was very nice. Mom and I laughed a lot...she can be really funny. I'm so happy that we are getting along so good now. I still see all the things that I tried to stay away from in her, but now...God has given me the patience and the ability to forgive her and not see it in the light as I did before. For this I am very grateful.

Ricky got me Taylor Swift's CD 'Fearless'. I love listening to her music. For such a young lady she sure has many musical talents. Rick got me an external hard drive, cross necklace and he and Ricky got me 'PhotoShop Elements 8' for my computer. Anxious to learn that too.

I sure missed seeing a little one open presents. Just not quite the same without a young one at Christmas time and all the wonder they bring to the celebration.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends.

[DianaB]

We had a nice Christmas too. Nate came over last night and with the snow drifting so badly he ended up spending the night in our guest room so we actually had him and Jaci this morning. We always fill the kids' stockings on Christmas Eve so Glen and I came up with some stuff to put in a stocking for him, several things made us all laugh!

The four of us opened our gifts together. Glen didn't get me any gifts this year since I bought myself some jewelry so I only got a few little things from Jaci. After lunch we opened gifts with the other kids and it's always so much fun seeing them open their gifts....the girls are always so excited about theirs!! I just love their laughter!!! Little Karlie was sooo much fun to watch as she exclaimed over each gift!!

Jaci and Dae Lynn always did something whenever it would snow together......they would run barefoot across the yard and back......so Jaci had Nate roll up his pant legs and all the time he was asking "Why?" She made him run across the yard with her in probably 8 inches of snow!!! They were both freezing by the time they got back inside!!! She'll probably still have him doing it even after they're married!!!!

Glen has an Aunt that's never been married and doesn't have a family of her own and when Glen found out that she didn't have any plans for today he went and got her and brought her out to our house so she could spend the day with us. She was so grateful that anytime she thanked us she had tears in her eyes. She's always been one that I enjoyed being around so I really didn't mind.

We all had such a good time. It's just always so short because some of the kids have to leave to go to other family gatherings. I understand but I hate to see them leave. All in all it was a good day!!

[Marilyn]

We had a very nice day. There were six of us for Christmas this year. One of the girls commented that we finally filled all the chairs at our table. Melissa and Garrett were here and left at 4 pm to go to Garrett's parents for Christmas and then they are leaving with his family for a week at Disney World tomorrow morning. We get to babysit their English bulldog, Mack for a week.

Karen and Carlton were here and left at 4 pm, too, to go to MeeMaw's (Carlton's grandmother's) to play football or something. One of Carlton's brothers (there are three boys total) is home from the Navy, too, and he hadn't been home in two years, so they are enjoying having their whole family together and having a new daughter-in-law. Carlton is the first to marry, so they have their first young lady in the family. I think his mother enjoyed buying girl things for Karen.

When the left, it was just us. Kinda weird. Karen hadn't had a boyfriend in quite a while that we saw her with, since this was a long distance relationship, to us, she went from single to married very quickly and it's taking a bit to adjust to.

We had a tradition of going to a movie late on Christmas afternoon, and this year, they aren't here to go. Rex has a bit of a cold, but told me if he's feeling okay, he'll take me to the movies tomorrow evening.

We went light on gifts this year, with the wedding and helping Melissa and Garrett with their mobile home. Rex and I are buying each other new office chairs for our home office, so we didn't exchange gifts today, just with the kids. I got a very nice new cutting board from Karen and Carlton, and two books from Melissa and Garrett.

It was a very nice Christmas!!! Our turkey dinner turned out really good, and we had everyone together. What more can you ask?

[Blueyes]

I'm so glad you both had a good day!! Diana, if I had snow... and Janet, if I only had my mother... Well, I am so blessed in so many other ways:)

We had Christmas with my brothers and their families yesterday. Michael and his family got here Wednesday and will stay until Sunday. We all got up at 5:00 AM today and opened presents. The little boys got new bicycles, and SO DID I, lol!! It was a really cold, but beautiful day, so we got to go outside to play:D

You know, I would never have believed I could make such good friends with a bunch of people online. I talk about you all to my family, and they know you by name, lol!! I love you ladies!!

[Janet]

We love you too Betsi....very much. You know, I hadn't posted very much recently and the reason......because I when I need someone....you're all here and I feel so much warmth that I start crying and then can't finish the post.

I wish we could all be able to meet in one place and that it wouldn't be a financial burden to anyone.

[Blueyes]

Surely we can meet someplace and come up with something that wouldn't cost too much. I've never been to Indiana;)

I was so glad you had fun with your mom, Janet. I know how much you needed it. A fun, relaxing day can go a long way to ease stress between people. You take care of yourself, and know that we are here for you!!

[gja1000]

HI Everyone! What a wonderful thread to read the day after Christmas!!! I love you all too, and I talk about you all to my family also. We will figure out a way to meet up someday, I just know we will!

Since we are all traveling right after Christmas (more on that later), we opted to not cook for Christmas this year. So, we ate dinner together Christmas eve at Mimi's cafe. It was really good, and we had a great time together. We let Abigail and Emma open one gift at the restaurant and they were both please about that.

After dinner we went to my daughter's and we played Skip-Bo (card game) till it was time to go home. My daughter has been knitting scarves and her husband got a loom and has been making knit stocking caps - I've posted pictures below of the snowmen hats he made for Emma and another little boy. Anyway, they were working on the caps/scarves all the while we were playing cards. My daughter knitted a scarf for Gary while we were all playing cards and he didn't even know it was for him till she finished! Bryan made him a hat also at the same time.

We opened our presents at my daughter's Christmas morning at about 7:30. I got some New Mexico Indian pottery, a necklace, purse, and an iron (my request). It was so much fun to watch the grandkids open their presents.

After presents I fixed breakfast. Next, it was time for the kids to get ready to leave for Colorado.

Gary and I went home to get packed to leave for Oklahoma today. BUT........ Oklahoma has a gigantic snow storm (14 inches and 60 miles an hour wind) on Christmas eve, so we were iffy about going today. However, we have found the main roads are clear, so we plan to go.

However, my daughter and her family are not so lucky. They are stuck in the Texas panhandle due to icy roads, and I'm not sure whether they are going to continue on to Colorado or not. I'm waiting to hear. They only found a hotel room last night because they had kids with them. The hotel was turning everyone away because the rooms were not cleaned - housekeeping had not been able to get there yesterday), but when the manager found out my daughter and sil had kids with them, they cleaned a room for them. They are still there and I am waiting to see if they decide to go on or come back home. They are with friends who have a time share and it ends on Wednesday, so if it takes them too long to get there, they won't have much time to ski/play. We'll see.

I've posted some pictures from this LENGTHY story!!!

1. Snowmen hats my sil knitted from a loom
2. Emma wearing her snowman hat
3. Gary in the hat my sil knitted on the loom and the scarf my daughter knitted for him while we were playing cards.
4. Ice on the road in the Texas panhandle where my daughter and family are stranded right now!

[Janet]

Gayle those hats are adorable!!! Do they use patterns? I don't know much about looms, but they did a great job. I may have to google info about this, looks like something I would like to learn how to do.

That snow doesn't look good at all...so I hope everyone stays safe. We had lots of rain Christmas eve so when we woke up the snow was all gone except for very VERY small patches. This morning we woke up to the ground covered with snow again. The weather guy says we are to have more accumulation tomorrow. Grrrr...as you know...I'm not a big fan of snow...or the cold so I'm on a countdown to spring....lolol

[lynne b]

sounds like everyone had a good Christmas, I think everyone decided it's not the amount of money spent or number of presents gotten, but the time spent with family & friends that was more important this year, which is what X-mas is suppose to be all about. I know i stress out really bad at X-mas because it is the only time i really go all out for the kids & g-kids but seems the past couple of years i have had to cut back alot, the g-kids are getting older and really do seem to understand.
I have one more get together with the g-daughters today due to them having to split the day between mom & dad for the 1st time, made for a sad day for my daughter.

OMG Gayle those hats are so cute the snow not so cute!!!! Hope everyone that is traveling arrives safely to whever they are going, seems so strange that some of the place's are getting such bad storms, I hope we can avoid any of that this winter.

Hope everyone has a wonderful New year!!!!

[Lindsey]

Those snowman hats are adorable!

I had a really good Christmas! The little girls were so excited that Santa came and that he (I) wrote them a letter thanking them for the delicious cookies and the reindeer food! It took a LONG time to open presents since the girls got so much! Everyone loved the gifts I got them which made me really happy. My mom absolutely loved the bentwood rocker!

I got some little things like hair products, box of chocolates, and gift certificates. My parents also got me an electric skillet which I really needed for my kitchen, and a Magic Bullet. From the little girls, I got this gorgeous huge framed print of Marilyn Monroe from Playboy. I have attached the image below.

Last night Scott came back and brought presents from his parents. There were a few little things like dead sea mineral hand lotion and nail care stuff, and a cute little jacket! Scott ran to our room and said "There's one more thing!" and he gave me an evelope. Inside were tickets to the world junior hockey championship SEMI-FINALS!!! Those tickets are $150 each so I was shocked. He said don't worry about that, he actually WON them at work in a draw! Out of 600 people, HE won! So I'm really excited for that! My dad is taking me to two games this week, including the Canada-USA game on New Years Eve!

Now we're off to go boxing day shopping!

[DIANE W]

Hi - Its lovely to read all your Christmas day stories.

After a hectic Christmas Eve, Dave got up at 7am (he cant sleep in, he is just so used to getting up early for work), i didnt get up until about 9am, then Kayley too got up when she heard me up.

We had a cup of tea, and bacon sandwiches, while we opened our presents, i got a leather bag ( told you i am obsessed with handbags), dvd, and some money off Dave, money off Aunt & Uncle (i wanted money because we are going away on 10th Jan), off Kayley i got, hat, scarf, gloves, a long cardigan, and perfume, off my in laws i got some wine glasses, and money again, my friends bought me, slippers, and purse, and some Bailys Irish Cream.

After we opened our gifts, we got dinner organised, it was a lovely day, with no disasters, except people came half an hour early (which really stressed me as i was still in PJ's - had done my hair and showered, but thought i would change just before they arrived, with cooking etc.

People left at around 9pm - when we just collapsed on sofa and watched TV, before going to bed at 12.30 ish - exhaused but very happy after a lovely day.

Today we visited Dave's Mum & Dad, then just relaxed, we are all so tired.

Now looking forward to our holiday in January, we are going with Dave's parents, to a hotel in Blackpool, to just relax, get waited on, and generally unwind.

Glad everyone had a lovely day, an got to be with family and friends.

[DianaB]

Aren't we all so blessed? Having family and friends.......and each other!!! I don't know what I'd do without all of you......you know so much more about me than probably any one else I know........well, my husband probably knows a little more about me, but I know that I can confide about anything to all of you!!! Nobody understands about my having close friends on here and sometimes I'm in trouble but I know that they just don't know what it's like.....the friendships and the closeness that we share. I just want you all to know how much you're loved and appreciated!!! Meeting all of you would be like a dream come true!!! My husband has known for some time that if there's EVER a get-together that I WILL be there!!! Just figure out the time and the place!!!

Gayle, those caps are just the cutest that I've ever seen!!! I love them!!! Are they going to make them to sell? I'd be interested in some for next Christmas for my granddaughters!! So cute!!!

Today I'm just doing nothing!!! Well, I did fold some laundry!!! LOL I didn't change clothes until noon and then it was only into pajama pants!! Amy and the girls came over to eat left-overs but couldn't stay because they have a party this evening. Glen's out with the tractor and grader clearing off the driveway.

Amy's 4-wheel drive went out on her car and she's not sure if she can get back up the hill if she leaves so I think we'll be picking her up for church in the morning. We have a chance for a little bit more snow so maybe they'll just cancel church. It's so cold outside and the drifts are pretty deep in some places. I love being snowed in but then again I don't have a job or anywhere that I have to go to.

We have a chance of snow ALL week so I'm excited!!! I haven't told Glen that yet he might not be so happy!!! Baker's never really get snowed in.....they can always find a way to get around even in the worst of weather!!!!! The worst thing is that the snow is too fine to build a snowman but hopefully the kids will get some sledding in!! Grandma always has the hot cocoa ready when they come in!!!

[Janet]

I have to admit Diana....you make snow sound fun. Then I step outside and my reality hits me smack in the face....LOLOL. I guess I don't mind snow if I can just watch out the window. Maybe I'm just getting too old.....nah!!!!

[paula1961]

We had a wonderful Christmas! We had four get togethers. The last one was yesterday with my sons. Everyone had a really good time. They brought their Wii game and they all played Rock Star!! I just sat back and videoed and took pics! I am so glad that everyone had such a good time with their families.

[DianaB]

We have another party tonight with Glen's family (The Baker side!!). It's at my BIL's house and it's just around the corner from us so we don't have to drive far!! It will be a good time with LOTS of family there!!!

Glen's Mom is in the hospital in Nebraska where his sister, Brenda, lives so they won't be there. His Mom's not doing very well so we'll probably end up going to visit her soon. She's been going down hill for some time now. I'm not sure that she can live alone much longer so the family's going to have to make some decisions soon but I've thought that for some time......so we'll just have to see what happens.

We have another party on Saturday with my family. My brother and his family will be here with my Mom and Step-Dad along with my own family. We don't exchange gifts but Mom buys for the kids. Mom's wanting to order PIZZA!!! I think that's so funny!!! We'll see.......it will cost a lot to do that but would be sooooo easy!!!! My brother's family never brings anything to help out food-wise......it seems like it's all they can do to just get here!!!!! Oh well.......I'm complaining and I shouldn't be.

[Gina]

We had a wonderful Christmas! We had four get togethers. The last one was yesterday with my sons. Everyone had a really good time. They brought their Wii game and they all played Rock Star!! I just sat back and videoed and took pics! I am so glad that everyone had such a good time with their families.

I played that with my nieces on Christmas Day and I did pretty well for an old timer lol.. I was keeping up with the beat.. lol

[Gina]

:ghug: to all... I have not been on much and read some of the posts.. So happy everyone had a wonderful Christmas.. I hope everyone is safe back at home..

I spent the Eve at my brothers house we had the traditional italian dinner, which consists of eating fish made different ways. This year my SIL made mosty shrimps, for it gets to be too much. She made fish sauce, fried calamari, shrimp scampi. and we had plenty of desserts. It was nice she had a few of her grandkids over and then around 11:30 we went to my cousins house for more desserts and stood until about 1:30 very nice evening..

Christmas morning we opened our presents and went to my BIL for dinner it was quiet there just my family and his. His teenage daughters have that Rock band and as I mentioned earlier I played the drums lol kept up with the beat.. lol

During the week I had baked some cookies and have been eating non stop.. lol Now to get ready for NYE.. I will bake some more. lol

[DianaB]

Italian would be interesting to have for Christmas!! I bet that it was really good!! We just cook mostly southern types of food. It sounds like you had a good time, Gina!!

[Janet]

That sounds like wonderful food for Christmas. Rick, Ricky and I usually stay home now so no big meal is served. All we had this time was a pork loin in the slow cooker. We just made sandwiches out of it.

Now for New Year's we will be having our traditional seafood. Can't wait!!!

[paula1961]

That sounds like wonderful food for Christmas. Rick, Ricky and I usually stay home now so no big meal is served. All we had this time was a pork loin in the slow cooker. We just made sandwiches out of it.

Now for New Year's we will be having our traditional seafood. Can't wait!!!

Seafood sounds really good Janet! It will just be hubby and myself for New Year's. What kinds of seafood do you have? And do you happen to have a recipe for cheese garlic biscuits? Do you have those with your seafood dinner? I would love to go to Red Lobster right now!! I've just made myself hungry lol!!

[pope1982]

We had a great day :)

We went to my husbands grandmothers for dinner and to exchange gifts. Of course, my mother in law wasn't present because she still has a hair across her butt.
I contributed home made mac and cheese, green bean casserole, chocolate chip walnut cookies and an apple streusel cheesecake (I was up baking all night the night before because hubbys aunt invited us over and we stayed later than I'd expected!)
Then we were off to my parents where my youngest sister and her kids were to exchange gifts there too... then we went out to the bar with two of my in laws where it was buy one get one drink night and I got a leeeeeeeeettle tipsy on 6 very strong margaritas :p
It was really neat because Brad saw a guy he went to high school with and hadn't seen in about 7 years.

I'm glad everyone had such lovely days with loved ones! Here's to the New Year!
What are everyones plans for News Years Eve? We should be going to my father in laws, probably bring Christmas gifts. They have a big celebration, Turkish people are so much fun :D

[DianaB]

Seafood sounds really good Janet! It will just be hubby and myself for New Year's. What kinds of seafood do you have? And do you happen to have a recipe for cheese garlic biscuits? Do you have those with your seafood dinner? I would love to go to Red Lobster right now!! I've just made myself hungry lol!!

If you look on-line you can find a good recipe. My daughter has a really good one if I remember to ask for it.

[Janet]

Loved the pictures Becky...you look so happy!! When I read the part about "hair across her butt" I burst out laughing and Ricky wanted to know what was so funny....LOLOL

Here is the Garlic Cheese Biscuit recipe I use:

2 cups Bisquick baking mix
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar)
1/4 cup melted oleo
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix baking mix, milk, and cheese until soft dough forms, beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or tunil golden brown. Mix oleo and garlic powder and brush over warm biscuits before removing them from cookie sheet. Servie warm. Makes 10-12 biscuits

Diana...post the recipe your daughter makes...okay?

[paula1961]

Thanks Janet!!

Yeah Diana.. post your daughters too.

[lynne b]

Hey Janet, post your stuffed mushroom recipe also. If i can't go to Red Lobster i might as well try to fix it myself.

[Janet]

I forgot you asked for that....I'll email it....too much to write...lol....yes I'm lazy!

[judy]

Wow! I haven't been on in days! Your Christmases sound wonderful, all of you, as was mine. The only one who didn't enjoy herself was your MIL Becky. She ought to tweeze that hair right off! That is a great expression.

I really enjoyed this Christmas! It's the first one I have enjoyed in years. I was such a Grinch. Well...always look to the future! Christmas Eve, I flew out of here because the little ones were in a Christmas pageant at church at 4:30. (I thought it was at night). It was just so nice being with Jessie, Steve, and the kids. I love their priest. He is very down to earth, and I enjoyed the sermon so much. The pageant was adorable. Kassidy did not stop talking to her friend the whole time, and Brandon took his role as a shepherd very seriously. I went home after church and went back on Christmas early. The kids had already opened their gifts from Santa, and they each showed me everything they got. They loved my presents, although Brandson is beginning to question whether Santa really leaves gifts for them at my house. Jessie and Steve made a delicious dinner, and I brought the pretzel candies from Gayle's recipe. I also gave them out to some other people who loved them! Thanks Gayle!

I was sick the day after Christmas, so I just slept all day. I was really dizzy and had a headache. I think it was a sinus infection, which is for the most part, gone. The kids slept over 2 days ago, and we had a lot of fun. Poor Brandon couldn't fall asleep until 2 AM, so I just relaxed the next day because I stayed up with him.

Mackenzie has become a teenager in the past week! I bought her a Smashbox makeup pallet for Christmas, which she brought with her. She woke up, took a shower, blew her hair out, and then put on her makeup! This is not the Mackenzie I know! It was just so cute.

Now, it's New Year's Eve! I am staying home. I haven't made any close friends yet, so I don't have any plans. I am also so grateful that I have all of you as friends. My family also knows about you. I care so much about you all and I love you so much! If I made a couple of friends up here as great as you are, I would be delighted!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS!!!

[Janet]

Judy....I wish you were here with me. Ricky is in his room playing some video game and Rick is laying on the doing....what else....snoring so loud the windows are shaking....grrrrr!!

We had a lovely supper of king crab legs, crabmeat patties, scallops, cocktail shrimp, lobster tail and garlic cheese biscuits. I didn't make the biscuits this time...Rick found some by Bisquick already mixed up...all I had to do was add a half cup of water. They were really good....oh and I had two Bud Lights. Yummmmm So good.