Being the princess she is, Bryn had been asking for a chandelier. We found a small one at Lowe's within the budget allotted by Grandpa and Grandma Allard. Brian installed it in her room then told Bryn to look. When she got to the door of her room, she began to jump up and down and holler, "A chandelier, a chandelier, a chandelier.....I love grandma and grandpa!" The big party then began Monday night with food, food, and more food. Ham, barbecue chicken, couscous, smoked turkey, and all the extras. There was even some Mexican food - burritos, tamales, my specialty nachos, and more. Yes, we pigged out. Our good friends, Mark, Debbie, and Sheldon Pryor came and added more to the stash. Tuesday, we had a visit from Steve and Patty Watts and their girls. Can you believe they brought even more dessert?!!!! I can't leave out that my mom brought about six pies! By now, you should be convinced that we seriously over-ate. LOL Gifts were exchanged and then it was time for dessert and more dessert and more dessert. Tuesday morning, the kids rushed to their stockings to see what Santa left. Bryn had a note from Santa that said her gift was too big for the stocking and to check under the kitchen table. She hurried to the kitchen table to find another note that said it didn't fit there and to check under the grand piano. As fast as her feet could carry her, she ran to the piano to find yet another note. This one said to look in her bathroom. When she got to the bathroom door, she softly opened the door and saw a dry erase board with 10 colored markers and an eraser. She was so excited and now thinks she is a teacher. :) Blake got the Nintendo DS he has been wanting and Bryce got a new Cannondale bike. He loves to take long (30-50 mile) rides with his friends. I don't think I could handle that many miles on a bike. Of course the gifts were appreciated, but nothing took the place of the love and laughter we all shared. Before going to bed, Bryn gave me a hug and said, "Thank you, mommy, for all my presents." Her sweet gratitude made it all worthwhile.
Pictures: Bryce, Blake, Bryn, and cousin Sara with Grandma Wilson; the chandelier
Sounds like a fun time was had by all! I love it when friends and family get together and enjoy each other so much! Thank you for sharing your Christmas with us.
ReplyDeleteJana, we had a lot of fun chilling out with you and your family over Christmas. I just ate a piece of Red Velvet Cake. :-) Thanks for everything. Love ya'll.
ReplyDeleteJana, we could not have had a better time. The food was awesome, but just being there was priceless and memorable. Thank you for everything. Lots of love and laughter.
ReplyDeleteSis Allard, and family, I am glad that you all had a wonderful Christmas, you all look happy, I love you, miss you all,
ReplyDeleteJana, Thanks for sharing Christmas with us. I felt like I was there. :) Bryn's chandelier is beautiful. I love the picture of the "kids" with Sis. Wilson too.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the New Year!
Blessings!
What a wonderful time!! (And I, too, over ate!!!)
ReplyDeleteThe food you ate sounds wonderful. I really like Bryn's chandelier. Bryce sure must be in good shape to ride 30 miles. I remember doing 15 before and that was very tiring(and I was young then too. LOL)
ReplyDeleteLinda - glad you dropped by my blog.
ReplyDeleteMark & Debbie - We are glad you guys came up. We always enjoy your company. Even if Brian does cheat at Scrabble. :)
Cheri - wish you could have been here.
Ronda - I passed your compliment to mom. She griped cause I had posted a pic of her. LOL I told her she looked good in the pic.
Rochelle - it just wouldn't be a celebration if we didn't over-eat, huh? LOL It was all so good.
ReplyDeleteCarol - Bryn's chandelier looks "rich" but it was quite inexpensive. (Less than $125) She now thinks her room is really a castle.
Bryce doesn't ride his bike on a regular basis, but he is quite athletic. He and some friends took their bikes to the mountains and rode about 45 miles. They reach speeds over 50 miles per hour. They think they are in the "Tour de France." :) I think the most I ever did was about 15 miles and I know I was tired! For sure I couldn't ride on one of those tiny seats. LOL
WOW BABE!! You have a beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteBrian - They are pretty. Fortunately, I wasn't in the pic.
ReplyDeleteLove the chandelier!!
ReplyDeleteSis Allard, Sounds like you all had such a wonderful Christmas. Ours was grand. I did not eat much at all but I did have a wonderful time watching my grandson open his presents. He was quite hillarious at times. Just being with family and counting my blessings was the high light of it all. God is so good.
ReplyDeleteBryn's chandelier is absolutely gorgeous. It is perfect for such a princess like her.