The Last of 2016

My computer has been giving me fits for the past few weeks, so I'm doing this quite hurriedly to be able to wrap up 2016 before we get too far into 2017. It has been a year of ups and downs, very good, good and some not so good some of the time, but came down to a great finish! 

The month of December was filled with the joy and fun I had hoped it would be. I enjoyed the season of Advent, celebrating with family and friends, and all that God has blessed me with. I give Him praise and glory for the life He has given to me ... this earthly life and my future, eternal Life with Him.

With my family for the Gift of Christmas

Dinner with RuthAnn and her Dad, Wayne

Great concerts in December, fun parties with different groups of friends, 

Christmas Eve Service at our church,

and

family fun on Christmas Day! 

Church and dinner afterward.

    

Anticipation!!!

Jason mixing up his grandfather's recipe for egg nog, 

a family tradition he wants to continue.

(My first taste of egg nog that knocks you for

a loop!)

My brother and his family at Branson, Missouri.

A visit from Sara and her boys, Brady and Noah

with Jack in the middle. 

Bowling first ...

Noah and Kate

Kate won on the kids' side

Sara got a strike!

  

Brady smiling at the pine cone Brady made for him.

Everybody received what they asked for.

But Jack informed me that the Planks were

"not on my list, Nonnie! 

not on my list!"

(Mommy assured me he circled them in the

catalog and would love them.)

She was right. They love them!

Brady must have topped this at least 20 times.

Noah about 4 times

Brave Ninja Warriors

Brady on his Whipstick!

At the park

At the movies

or inside

For some reason, watching a movie on iPad is

more fun than on the big TV!

A lot more togetherness there for sure.

Brady, the most mature, is allowed to eat

a peppermint stick on Nonnie and Papa's bed

(Papa's side anyway!)

Sweet kids!

Whether at home or out and about, it was fun! From early morning quiet times, to the loud craziness, playing Bingo, watching kids perform, listening to sweet voices singing in the car, trying to decide where everybody would sleep, opening gifts, White Elephant exchanges, food, and lots of it!

Playing Hearts, Jack taking orders from everybody for breakfast with his pad and pencil ... Kate wanting to know why Grandpa and Nonnie can't sleep on the pallet instead of her! Brady waking up on Thursday wanting to know what today's activity would be! LOL! Brady and Noah asking for grilled cheese sandwiches every day and actually begging for them as they left for home. What? Wow! Really? The word from them is Nonnie makes the best pancakes and grilled cheese. 

Drones, Legos, American Girl doll, Planks, superheroes and Ninja obstacle course to play with at home!

And one of my most interesting gifts was this.

 

Some of my best thoughts come when I'm in the shower or driving. 

Now I have no excuse!

And from my sister who is loving her coloring book:

Good job, Roberta!