Christmas Recap Part II

Rose pretending to be a shy little violet before Christmas Eve Mass.

Cookies and milk on the mantle, carrots outside- check.

"O sole mioooo..." Christmas dinner at the Farrs, with live music.

Yay! Grandmommy's nouveau Christmas tree is always a surprise and a joy. 

Aunt Missy and the Grinch

Aunts Nat and Missy in front of the New Mexico chili lights- not quite Christmas without them.

One of Grandmommy's many incredible, handmade Christmas gifts: a hand-painted dough nativity.

Christmas haircut. Bye!

Christmas Celebration at Pop-pop and Grandmommy's

We had fun on Saturday!  Dave was chef, Missy told of world travels, Lolo served Madame Mia and Anna a candlelight dinner with a serenade.  Thanks to all! 

National Christmas Tree Visit

Merry Christmas!

Family photo sans David Jr., who was in a snit nearby, refusing to be part of the merriment.

Natalie, taking the picture: "David! I have a candy cane in my pocket!" Genius.

The best picture of the four of them turned out with Aunt Natalie, fittingly.

Happy birthday Jesus! We're a little shaky and very full of sugar! 

Aunt Kate's gift to me: a cute pair of Toms. Love them!

A labor of love, as Lola would say.

"Can I open one???"

Fried rice and chocolate...seems about right.

The girls spent most of Christmas Eve with Dave helping to decorate the church.  You see the lovely product of much hard work on the part of many! It was a quiet, recollected Christmas Eve, which the dark, rainy weather seemed to encourage. After dinner, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and cookies, milk and carrots set out for St. Nicholas and his entourage, they were in bed far past their usual bedtime. I thought they might sleep in. Oh, silly Mommy. They woke up shortly before 5 am... thank you, husband, for getting up soon after. We've all enjoyed separate nap times (the adults, that is!) squeezed in between Christmas day excitement and present opening. Aunt Natalie is watching Frozen with them downstairs at the moment. We're waiting in anticipation for Lolo and Lola to come join the celebration of our Lord's birth. May the peace, hope and courage of the season permeate everyone's family and home!

Cook family tree decorating....time lapsed

Frankie at the Christmas Concert

She's top row, sixth from the right.

Teresa at her Christmas Concert

She's front row, 5th from the right. They're so cute!

Thanksgiving

Bonnie ran away from me every time I brought out the camera. Here she is cowering in fear.

Checkers, with a cheer leader.

Pop-pop, Grandmommy, and their baby, who most resembles the Farr side of the family, in my opinion.

Remember battleship?

Hilary's delectable pies, which were a hit.

Grandmommy's latest Madonna painting- beautiful as always. Now hanging in the Catholic Information Center!

Joyful noise, right Pop pop?

Cheers to another year of blessings. We're counting the ones we have.

Pictures worth a thousand words

These signs appeared on the bunk beds the other night. They pretty much sum up their authors. Frankie, our organized manang, employs neat, sterile writing that compliments the message: a new household rule. Teresa, our zany one with the wild side, uses flowery handwriting to let everyone know: party in Teresa's bed.

Halloween 2014

We joined our friends the Kasenges this year for trick-or-treating. Sophia was a gorgeous Mother Teresa, her older brother Jesse was St. Michael, and Frankie was St. Faustina, with Elmo, a cat, and a dog following, so you can imagine the impression we must have made on the neighborhood. I only heard one nun-wisecrack (from a middle aged gentlemen, of course): "Please don't put in me detention, Sister!"  Happy Feast of All Saints and All Souls! Saints Mother Teresa, Michael, and Faustina, pray for us!