The Getting Ready for Christmas

So in the blog world I am behind. So sorry, but that fits well with my life at the moment. I am not happy about it but am working to improve.
I loved Christmas Eve and other things pre-Christmas and wanted them to be here.

Bryan (my dd, Lindsay's dh) likes to take cinnamon rolls into his guys Christmas Eve morning and since Lindsay wasn't up to making them I went over to their house and got them started for her.

Chase was in his high chair eating donuts and staying out of my way.

Tate was just milling around watching.

Christmas Eve night we traditionally have a dinner and program at my house. This year with Lindsay down and out I felt overwhelmed and canceled, but only until my nieces got word of me not being up to it. Cheryl and the girls made dinner for us all (very sweet of them) it was a wonderfully delicious meal!

Abby came over a little early and mamaw got to enjoy her before the party got started.

Bryce wasn't sure why I was taking pictures, but stopped what he was doing long enough for me to snap a picture of him.

Abby was ready to go home and go to bed even before the program started.

Uncle Randy entertained the little ones.

Chase decided to hide under my rug.

We have a lot of diversity in our family... we all like different kinds of shoes.

Tate and Jocey posed while Erin played her song.

Kristen sitting back and enjoying everyone's songs.

Jocelyn is all about the cousins.

Courtney was teaching Joseph the fine art of technology.

the girls kept Jocey silent

Chase didn't want his picture taken... didn't let that stop me.

Aunt Cheryl read a really nice story and helped Chase follow along.

We all love Cheryl's story.

And the evening was full of beautiful music!!

I am so grateful for my family and loved spending the evening with each one of them!

Brent's Surprise Party

For Brent's 50th birthday I decided to have a surprise party. I told him this elaborate lie, something about one of our good friends son (that is going on a mission) was having to get married. It just so happened that it was going to be on Brent's birthday and I couldn't do anything about it. I was the perfect ruse because Brent knew Janie would be all upset and need to do lots of phone calls talking about this horrid happening (anytime ANYONE called about the party I told him it was Janie and Brent would tell me to take all the time I needed talking to her and completely understood we needed to talk privately and he didn't mind me leaving the room to talk to her) The party was actually a concert of his music. He writes, arranges and composes church music. So we had 15 songs sung by wonderful singers or played by wonderful violinists. It was an incredible evening. The party was a complete surprise to Brent!
He got to the church and the parking lot was full of cars (which fit for the wedding) then he came into the building and saw Janie in the kitchen and said hi to her. He said as he was walking down the hall he thought it was odd she was in the kitchen but by then he was too busy trying to figure out why I was standing by the chapel and was wondering what was going on in there. By this time he began to wonder why the organ was playing at wedding reception. When he got to me I handed him a program and he got this super confused look on his face. I told him, "Happy Birthday". He was still standing there looking confused so I told him to follow me.

People on the stand said they could see the confusion on his face and see the wheels spinning. He said as he walked into the chapel (we had the concert in the chapel, it was very much like a fireside, prayers and all) he realized that all these people (125-130 people) were there for him. It wasn't until he sat down and looked at the program that he realized that it was a concert of his music. At that point emotions took over and I have never seen him so happy. He said now he knows what it would be like to attend his own funeral.


The cake was BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you Janie!! It was also delicious, yummy and probably the best tasting cake I have ever eaten!! I know who I am paying to make every cake from now on!