On Thursday, we helped at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, serving on the steam table line (filling 600 trays with another group filling 300 - total of 900 carry out meals for Henry County) 200 people at at the Eagles, 1,100 free meals served this year. Dennis and Debbie Sieger helped too, and helpers all get a meal, so we took ours over to their house to eat our meal together after we delivered 10 meals in the community.
Amanda, Chad, Peyton and Garrison arrived around 5:00 p.m., and the fun began. Peyton loved her Kit Kat Pie - made me so happy - and she enjoyed her presents, mostly her Alexa for her room for music, etc. We had snack foods, meatballs, little weenies, etc. for dinner and of course, birthday cake! Peyton received bath bombs for her birthday, so both kids wanted to take a bath to use the bath bombs.
Friday was our 14th annual baking day, and it was awesome. Garrison unwrapped around 100 Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Cups, a bag of Rolos, and some Hershey Kisses, all by himself. He was a busy boy. Peyton was so helpful this year, doing a lot of the mixing herself. She had chosen some new recipes for Pinterest. Ron and Peyton went to Pizza Glen to pick up our order for lunch. We all enjoyed watching the Phil vs. Tiger Golf Match on Pay Per view, $9,000,000 to the winner, Mickelson, 6 hours later! They had planned to play golf, but weather did not cooperate. Peyton and I made slime to put in the jar and added antlers and eyes and a red nose for a reindeer slime jar! She loves making slime.
The kids and I enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars On Demand and Dancing with the Stars Junior on Demand too throughout the weekend. They tried to teach me The Floss, but I wasn't too get at it - they can both do it very well.
During the night Friday night, around midnight, Garrison tapped on my shoulder and said he had had a bad dream and was scared, so he got in bed with us. He was so sweet and cuddled with me the rest of the night, occasionally putting his arm around me. So special.
Saturday morning, Peyton and Grandpa peeled around 8 pounds of potatoes for our mashed potatoes. I had most of the food ready or partially ready for the meal. Grandpa and Chad took the kids to the playground since it was beautiful outside for a little while. Amanda was great help with the cooking and clean up. Mark and Mark arrived around 10 a.m., and the fun started all over again! They brought me a big bag of magazines, a beautiful poinsettia and party mix.
First we played the Saran Wrap Game with an extra twist this year - sometimes the adults had to wear a blindfold or gloves to open their layer to get their gift. The kids love this activity.
We took a family picture then had lunch - turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade noodles, homemade rolls, frozen fruit salad, cranberry relish, and corn.
After lunch, we played a version of dirty santa gift exchange which was fun. Peyton and Garrison are the masters of the "exchange" later, trading with everyone to get what they wanted. Too funny.
We enjoyed visiting and being with each other We were sad Tom, Joe and Nicole couldn't join us this year.
After everyone went home, we put away all the Fall decorations. After church on Sunday where I played the gathering music and the hymns, we decorated for Christmas. Just our small Christmas tree this year, 3 little lighted trees on the front porch, a wreath on the front door, and one nativity - all I could manage getting out this year.
Counting our blessings this year - so grateful I am cancer free and feeling so much better and stronger - feeling blessed to have Amanda/family here for a few days and to have Mark and Mary join us on Saturday for Thanksmas. God is good.
