Christmas 2023

 It was a great Christmas season.  I played the piano at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in their lobby as a community project to showcase their new baby grand piano.  Ron went with me and was my audience of one most of the time, but many hospital employees and visitors walked through and said they enjoyed the music.  I received a lovely text from Dr. Rob Wetzel stating how much he enjoyed listening to my music and how it changed his day for the positive.  I was given a $25 gift card - a surprise.

Marnie Bellamy and I played 25 minutes of Christmas Eve gathering music and the entire service for the morning service - attended by 165.  At the 7 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, Marnie and I played the hymns, I played communion music with David Cummings and our 8 hands group, Brenda Ford, Janet Parks, Marnie and myself played a special Carols in Concert piece on two pianos which was well received.  

After the 7 p.m. service, Ron and I drove to Overland Park for our family Christmas celebration with Amanda and family.  We visited and watched the end of a football game before Chad read Twas the Night Before Christmas to Peyton and Garrison.  Christmas morning, we watched the kids open their gifts from Santa followed by a lovely brunch prepared by Amanda - even used her good china and crystal.  Then we opened our gifts to each other.  Peyton played a piece on the piano as did her mother, and Garrison entertained us on the guitar.  We had snacks of meatballs, charcuterie board, fruit and veggies as well as sweets while we watched the Chiefs game on TV - they lost.

We brought Bingo home with us for two weeks while they travel with Peyton's Blue Valley Northwest Marching Band to Rome and then on to Paris.  They will have a great time.

This was the first Christmas since Mark passed away in October.  He is missed but is singing with the angels in Heaven.

We had a wonderful Christmas - God is good.

End of November thru December 10, 2023

 Busy two weeks.  We enjoyed Peyton's first high school band concert - they sounded great.  They all wore ugly Christmas sweaters.  I failed to get pictures - Grammy fail.

Peyton went to her Cheer Ball and dinner before - it was a big deal - she invited a young man, Everett, to go as her escort.  They ate at a Hibachi - JV Cheerleaders and their plus one's - and then all cheerleaders and their dates went to the dance.  Peyton had a great time.

Amanda and Chad spent a long weekend in Seattle so they could attend Amanda's boss's holiday party - then they went hiking and had some nice meals before coming home on Sunday.  We went to Overland Park on Thursday in time for the kids to get home from school and stayed through Sunday.

Peyton is driving herself to school now and all school events.  She's doing a great job.  Garrison walked home from school Thursday.  Grandpa took him to Ignite for his weight training.  He won a challenge and received a new sweatshirt and a mug.  We had meatballs, rice, macaroni and cheese, hot bread, strawberries and chocolate ice cream for dinner.

Friday the kids went to school, and Grandpa and I did some things around the house.  It was raining, so we went to school to pick up Garrison.  We had baked potato bar for dinner followed by Andy's Custard afterward - their Advent activity from the Advent Calendar Box.  We had fun eating our ice cream and driving around a bit to see the lights.  

Saturday, we all went to Garrison's basketball game which they won handily.  Both Knight teams played each other - quite the challenge.  Peyton and I shopped at Sephora in both Kohl's and at Town Center - she loves to buy make up and skin care products.  We had fun.  We had a snack of McDonald's French Fries.  After the basketball game, Grandpa took Garrison to baseball practice.  After that, they met us at home, and we all went to Olive Garden for lunch.

When we got home, Peyton drove herself - job - to the Ungles to take Toby out and play with him.  Garrison chilled out for a while.  No one was hungry for dinner since we had a late lunch but we had ice cream later.

The kids slept late on Sunday.  Peyton wanted Krispy Kreme donuts, so she and I drove over there and bought a dozen and 4 of the holiday donuts.  Then she wanted Starbucks, so we stopped there on our way home.  We had taco bar for lunch and individual creme brûlée cups from Aldi.

We watched the Chiefs game (loss) together before coming home.  Amanda and Chad arrived home before the game was over.  Amanda wasn't feeling well.

Amanda tested positive for Covid  Monday morning, however, we feel safe as we were not around her close.

God is good - we are blessed.  

Peyton Turns 15 - Thanksgiving 2023 - Baking Day

On Thanksgiving, Ron and I, along with the Siegers, worked at the annual Community Thanksgiving dinner, serving 1000 meals which were delivered throughout the county.  I had baked a turkey breast the day before which Ron delivered to the Senior Center.  After we served, we took our meals (which they give you for working) to the Siegers for a Friendsgiving lunch.  Debbie had also made sweet potato casserole and cranberry relish - I supplemented with homemade rolls and cherry pie.  We were tired after working all morning and took naps in the afternoon.

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Amanda, Chad, Peyton, Garrison and Bingo arrived for "our" Thanksgiving where I served ham, mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, green beans and broccoli slaw salad.  Prior to the meal, we celebrated Peyton's 15th birthday.  We gave her cash, a Ninja Creami and some Sephora and Lululemon gifts she wanted.  She requested Angel Food Cake with strawberries and whipped cream which was tasty.   We all signed the signature family tablecloth - only 6 of us this year.  Mark was here last year and signed - his last Thanksgiving on earth.   We miss him.   

Peyton received her restricted Kansas Driver's License on Tuesday.  She drove her Mom to Clinton - first time for that long of a trip behind the wheel.

After lunch, we played our annual games, which Garrison loves and we all had a good time with - Saran Wrap Ball, Birdies in the Muffin Tin, Ping Pong Balls in the Muffin Tin, and "Have you Ever".  We also did a gift exchange game with mints.  We had a great time.  

Garrison unwrapped 3 bags, 96, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups for baking day on Saturday.  His job since he was 2 years old.  Chad and Garrison had to go home Friday late afternoon because of baseball commitments on Saturday.  Amanda and Peyton were able to spend the night.  Peyton and I played Trouble, Trash and Kings in the Corners.  Grandpa took her to Taco Bell for dinner.   Amanda pacified me and played the piano - I love to hear her play.  

On Saturday, Grandpa took Peyton to Scooters for coffee and to The Donut Palace to get us all donuts.  Our 19th annual Baking Day was a big success.  We baked 8 dozen peanut butter cup muffin cookies, peanut butter fudge, Grandma's fudge (Amanda's first time of making it, and it was great), puppy chow and peanut butter balls.  We had a blast.

Peyton and Grandpa had McDonald's for lunch.  She had mixed up ice cream for her new Ninja Creami the night before - had to freeze 24 hours.  She finished it after lunch - it was so yummy and fun to do. 

We are blessed - God is good.