Christmas at Home

We will be in California for Christmas, so we celebrated with Kat, Jason, Daniel and Abby a week early.

It really felt like Christmas for me. We woke up to a light dusting of snow on the ground. The stockings were hung on the mantel and presents were piled in front of the fireplace (our tree is in the entrance hall). Daniel was so excited. He really made it fun for all of us!

First Peek - "There's presents down there!"

Daniel decided to start right in. This was Pop-pop's gift, however, so he had to stop and wait...

His first gift was a Hess truck from Pop-pop. He would have just played with that one all day!

Rich prepared a true Christmas feast for us. He made herb-crusted beef tenderloin, Yorkshire puddings and a potato flan. We had a strawberry salad and a beautiful strawberry cheesecake that Rich made for dessert.

After dinner the guys hung out watching a football game. Abby joined Pop-pop for a little nap and Daniel covered her with her blanket.

Daniel at the Bass Pro Shop

Daniel is a very happy boy. Kat and Jason went to their Fellowship Group Christmas Party on Saturday evening, Dec. 17, so Rich and I got to play with Daniel. We took him to the Bass Pro Shop in Harrisburg. Daniel had a blast - and so did we. He climbed on the jeeps and boats, looked at (and petted) the stuffed animals, watched the fish, and rode a merry-g0-round on a Moose. I think he was the only child who stopped to say "Thank You" to the man who ran the merry-go-round ride. When we left it was snowing.

Daniel absolutely adores his baby sister. This was earlier in the day on Saturday.

Kat and Abby ready to go to the Christmas party.

Daniel on the Moose on the Merry-go-round.

With Pop-pop on a jeep.

SNOW!

Along the way home we looked at Christmas lights. When we pulled into the driveway Daniel said, "That was very fun, Pop-pop."

December 10 - Dinner with Fellowship Group

On Saturday evening the Fellowship Group at church met in separate homes for small group dinners. Then we went to the church for dessert and a gift exchange. It was a fun evening of getting to know one another better. Each host/hostess provided the main course and guests each brought part of the meal. The guest bringing dessert took it to the classroom at church. We had about 45 people participate.

Rich prepared three chickens, completely boned and each stuffed with a different filling - spinach, red pepper, and mushroom. It was very Christmassy - and delicious.

Our guests - Art, Elaine, Ken, and Martha.

Abby and Daniel

I have been spending a lot of time with Kat and the kids while Jason travels for work. He spent a week in North Carolina near Hatteras and is in Michigan this week and next. Kat is adjusting to a new baby, a new house, and a traveling husband. I've been there and know how hard all that can be. Fortunately I am retired this year and can help out. Kat is doing very well in her recovery from the c-section operation and is managing the best she can. While it has been difficult for her, Grandma is loving the time spent with the children.

Abby at four weeks. She is already a precious armful!

Daniel loves to hold, hug, kiss, and help Mommy with Abby. He will get her pacifier or blanket for her and help in any way he can. He reads to her, talks to her and, when necessary, yells at her to stop crying.

Thanksgiving Day

Kat and Jason and our friend Barbara joined us for Thanksgiving dinner. Rich made a fabulous meal of turkey brined in cider, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, grappa jellied cranberry sauce, cranberry chutney, and broccoli. Susan created several desserts - pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies. Barbara brought rolls. We had quite a feast!

Daniel had fun riding the little tractor and then I found him in the garage wearing Pop-pop's hat and playing on the big tractor.

Abby seemed to enjoy her first Thanksgiving, sporting a new bib from Grandma Marquiss. Love the hairdo!

Daniel loves baby Abby. He likes being a big brother and helping when he can.

We tried to get a family photo, but Daniel wasn't too keen on the idea.

Grandpop and Abby

Kat stayed with us for a couple of days while Jason was out of town on business. Grandpop read stories with Daniel and got to give some instructions to Abby, who listened very intently!

Jason, Kat and Abby - while Daniel was taking his nap. Daniel just adores his baby sister, is fascinated by her, and can't keep his hands off her when she is awake!

Grandma time with Daniel

While Kat is taking care of Baby Abby, Daniel and Grandma have had some fun times together.

On the slide at the new playground in South Middleton Township.

Climbing on the rings to get to another slide.

Riding the race car at the playground.

Enjoying a chocolate milkshake with Grandma at the ice cream parlor in town.

Good to the last drop. Wish I had gotten a picture of him looking up into the stainless steel cup the shake came in. He wanted to be sure we got it all!

At library time, he always tells the lady, "I want to read another one!" Blesses a librarian's heart!

Participating in the song and dance time. This is followed by a half hour of play time with the toys in the library and picking out new books to check out to take home.

Baby Abby and Daniel

Daniel is absolutely fascinated with his new baby sister. He wants to touch, hold, wake, and play with her. He is having a bit of trouble realizing that she is too little to actually play with yet...

Abigail at four days old. What a precious baby girl!

An early snow

While Kat and Abby were in the hospital on Saturday, we had approximately 6 inches of snow. By Sunday morning the roads were clear. Today, Monday, it is mostly melted. My neighbor took this picture of the little tree in our front side yard.

And then there were SIX!

Welcome Abigail Reagan, our newest grandchild. She arrived the day before the big snow storm hit the area. What a beauty! Mother and baby are doing well.



She already has Daddy wrapped around her little finger!

Mommy holds her for the first time.

Visit with the Vigorosos

We had a wonderful time with Sharon, Mark, Ella and Leo in Georgia this past week. We visited the Atlanta Aquarium and Kennesaw Mountain and were able to help Carmella celebrate her third birthday. What a blessing!

Carmella and Leo love to play Mark's drums that can be found throughout the house. See the video at the end of this entry for more drumming fun.

Rich at Kennesaw Mountain - with Atlanta in the background. On a clear day this would have been quite a nice view of the city. On this fall day, we enjoyed the colors on the mountain.



Ella just loves the aquarium. The fish were so colorful and interesting. Even Leo watched with fascination.

Sharon with nine-month old Leo. He is quite a handful and has a very happy personality.

The night before her birthday, we had a small family celebration with Ella. Here she is getting a princess stamp on her hand from Mommy.

Mommy had a princess tiara for her to wear. She really likes the Disney princesses, and even had a princess birthday party!

Melinda from next door gave her a tiny china tea set. Leo is chewing on a crown. The kids at the party got to put stickers on the crowns and take them home as a party favor.

A real hit at the party was the princess bounce house. The children wanted to stay much longer and continue to play. What fun!

The cake was a Disney cake with Ariel, the mermaid princess. Ella took the figurine of Ariel and used it to eat her slice of cake. She really, really likes cake.

Leo and Mark had fun in the bounce house when it wasn't so crowded.