I have no clue where to begin when recalling everything that's gone on in the past seven weeks, therefore, I'll do what I do best - post photos & let them do the talking, with a little narrative sprinkled in when needed. Ready?
I'll start with the two trips we took out to cemeteries. As most people know, cemeteries are one of my favorite places to take photographs, so we frequent them as much as we can. The first one we went to was to see Aaron's ancestors, which we do once a year or so. This time he & Z decided to scrub the headstones and kind of spruce things up a little.
My God, he's getting so big.
Z cleaning off a baby's grave, unrelated to our family.
While they were cleaning, I was browsing and started noticing how unique the names were back then. Some are still around today, but most have become obsolete:
But this Pink is a man ...
Cummie. Yikes.
Aquilla.
Lavada.
Flossie.
Euwyn.
Ocie.
Dawl.
Runie Lee.
Covey.
Azzie.
And I noticed there were a lot of Maud's, or some variation of Maud. Guess that was the "Emma" of that generation ...
There were also a ton of baby graves, which always get to me. I know it was more common back then to lose a child, but some of these poor people lost more than just one. Like this woman, who lost one, then a set of twins.
Died the same day she was born.
Also, died the same day she was born, like her sister one year before.
Gone after 24 days.
Can't. Even. Imagine.
We also went on another cemetery visit, and turned into one of Sunday road trips. Set up and have a picnic while we were there, too. It was a fabulous day.
On the drive out there.
Never noticed the little dog in the bottom-right corner until now.
Z's creation, with two sticks he found.
Some *old* headstones out there -
this one says born 1832, died 1875.
Walking with my honey.
Picnic lunch.
The mailbox at the entry gate.
A spiral notebook visitors have signed over the years.
On the way home.
After our exploring came the whirlwind of birthdays & holidays. This included my Dad's birthday, my parents' 41st wedding anniversary, Aaron's birthday, a trip out to Karen & Malcolm's ranch, Thanksgiving, Black Friday with Becca, my birthday, a school field trip, Z's class Christmas party, the school Christmas play, Christmas itself, then our wedding anniversary. Yes, once mid-November hits, things get exhausting for me really quickly.
Dad's cake.
Enjoying his new headphones for his iPod.
Aaron's cake.
My sister & I at Thanksgiving.
Tackling the Round Rock outlet mall with Becca at midnight
on Thanksgiving night.
That's a.m. people. This blurry picture is a
perfect representation of how blurry my brain felt
being out shopping that late ...
... but it was worth it. Look how happy she is!
Z making my red velvet birthday cake.
A Christmas play at Zachary Scott Theatre.
It was a HUGE hit with Z.
Our Bradford Pear tree, changing colors for the season.
Z and Thomas, at Thomas' ranch.
Thomas' sweet dog, Charlie. He is one of my
favorite living things.
He was a cow for the school Christmas play.
I peeked backstage before the show, and saw him doing this.
Oy.
One-half of the goodie bags for his classmates.
Last day of school/Christmas party.
G and Z, sticking giant candy canes up their noses.
Z and G, again. If you could see a close-up,
you would see Z's teacher (behind him with the red hair)
giving him the weirdo-side eye. Poor Ms. Crowley.
BFF's saying goodbye for the holidays.
Christmas dinner at my sister's.
Grace, my sister's dog, opening her present.
My parents' gorgeous Christmas tree.
And then there was the food. Here are some pics of goodies I consumed and/or created over the holidays. I'm a lucky, lucky girl ...
Ma's apple pie.
Ma's pumpkin pie.
Ma's pecan pie for Aaron & Ken.
Toni's banana bread.
Ken's famous from-scratch chocolate chip cookies.
Natalie's spice cuppies.
A close-up of Ma's apple pie. Yes, it's as good as it looks.
My own chili.
Some sugared berries for a raspberry custard pie I made.
The finished product.
The Thanksgiving bird.
Aaron's pancakes on Christmas morning.
And some ham/applewood bacon on the side.
The Christmas bird.
Green bean casserole.
My homemade stuffing (Ma's famous recipe).
Dad's famous mashed potatoes.
Mini red velvet cuppies I baked for my neighbors.
With their icing.
Sugar cookies I made for more neighbors.
Be nice -- a cookie decorator, I am not.
And lastly, the best gift of the whole season? My best friend Amy had her twins! I was able to be up at the hospital when they were born, so I got some photos. Her family could not be more thrilled with their arrival before Christmas! Now, introducing the third & fourth members to the Clark Family - Ashley Emerson & Hayden James.
Proud Daddy!
Ashley, not especially happy to be out and so cold.
Hayden, being cleaned & checked.
Ashley's tiny foot! Wanna see just HOW tiny?
Jim's hand next to her foot. Wow!
Beautiful baby girl.
Precious baby boy. One minute older than his sister.
Two thrilled Aunties (me and Becca),
visiting a few days after they were born.
All in all, you can see we had a fabulous holiday season. Although it was busy, we wouldn't have wanted to miss one second of any of it. Now it's time to relax, get back into the swing of "real life", and look forward to our cruise! Only 32 more days! AHHHH!
Three things I'm grateful for today:
1. Pepsi.
2. Our impending vacation.
3. Another round of holiday celebrations with everyone
still here and healthy.
As always, I wish nothing but peace and pastries to all of you. Hope your holidays were just as great! Happy new year!
2 comments:
I'm too impressed by you!!!!!!!!!1
Welcome back - what a whirlwind! You know, now that pixel chicks is defunct you have to post lots and lots of your cool pictures!
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