Every get-together is a little Christmas party for me this year. #1 was with Adrienne and Linda. Hurray for good friends at the holidays.
Christmas stocking
This was the original picture that inspired a new project.
When I saw Thais’ stocking collection last year, I realized Avery didn’t have one. Here’s the final result:
The best compliment came when Thais showed Avery the stocking. He looked at it for a while and asked, “Is that me?!”
Auburn Elementary Bike Club
What a great group of kids. Four girls today and quite eager to learn the parts of a bicycle, especially since it was raining and we couldn’t go outside.
Students used address labels to write the names of the parts and stuck them to one side of the bike.
This is the beginning of a photo project.
Meanwhile Mr Brownell had to deal with a small flood in the workroom for 3 classrooms.
Goodbye Glenn
Yesterday Justin and Jennifer made a great breakfast and Glenn had his first mimosa! Observing the making of Lemon Bars:
And we watched the Grey Cup.
Thank you Glenn for traveling a long way on short notice to be with us.
San Jose Sharks v Anaheim Ducks
Thank you Justin for driving!
Warming up.
At first Glenn said no we shouldn’t go to an NHL game, it was a bit of an expense. After all, back in Regina he could easily go to a pro hockey game and would only have to drive about 500 miles. It was easy to talk him out of that logic. It’s just 150 miles from E Nicolaus to San Jose. And we had total fun!
The Sharks won!
Breakfast with cousins
Cynthia, Phyllis, and Carol:
Home alone
with leftover cherry pie. Justin and Glenn drove over to the Napa Valley for the day.
The edges needed continuous straightening.
Thanksgiving dinner
Later in the afternoon, Justin, Glenn and I went to dinner at Dave and Phyl’s house. Dave, Sharon and family:
Carolyn, Corey, and Mary:
Glenn and Chuck:
Jerry and Justin:
Master carver Dave:
Chris, Mary, Greg:
Each year, Carol gives to family about 30 different paintings as Christmas gifts. Each one is different and wrapped. Everyone was excited to see which penguin they got. Carol searches for ideas all year and begins painting during the summer. The images also become her Christmas cards.
Thanksgiving breakfast
A new tradition is born: Walnut Gathering with Grandma.
We gathered 79 pounds and still had energy to climb in the trees – a slightly heart-stopping experience at times.
Memorial Service at Calvary Lutheran
The Gospel Choir was very special to Mom. They went to Atria El Camino Gardens every 2-3 months to sing for everyone in the Life Guidance unit.
The women’s group at the church did an amazing job providing food for the reception afterwards. As we all know, funerals are also a great time for catching up with family and friends. Most of the people in this picture I considered my cousins as I grew up. L-R Back row: Chuck, Phyl, Carol (siblings), me, John, Jim.
Around the table: Rebecca, Judy, Aunt Rosebud, Cynthia, Christine, Tom, Eva Lee, and friend Mary Lee.
Vi, Jason, Stacey, Justin, Jennifer.
