NYE 2022

Back in California, Cora and I did a lot of relaxing while Stace and Violet were gone. We worked on a puzzle, watched Murdoch Mysteries, and she bought all the accessories needed to get her 3D mini figure printer operating.

On New Year's Eve, Uncle Nick came over so we could introduce her to one of his favorites, Ghostbusters. We watched the first two movies, and soon, we'll watch the newer one together.

Spencer wanted to sit in his lap, even though he's allergic to cats.

Later, we rang in the new year with Murdoch, our current favorite detective, and sparkling apple juice (for Cora).
 

Meanwhile, back in Somerset, Stace and Violet celebrated at Dean's with games, music, food and family.

Looks like a good time! 

Happy 2023. May God continue to bless us with joy, peace and health.

Golden Anniversary Celebration

The 16th December 2022 marked the 50th-Golden Anniversary of Mum and Dad.

To celebrate, Dean, Jenny and I (mainly Dean and Jenny) invited our family members to Haslebury Mill near Crewkerne, to mark this special occasion.

A dinner was planned between Christmas and New Year, so that Violet and I could join in the fun.

So, on 30th December, we all gathered in the converted barn and enjoyed a lovely meal and the company of our family, some of whom I hadn't seen in many years.

Joining Mum, Dad, Dean, Jenny, Euan, Livi, Violet and me were: Uncle Pete and Aunty Doreen; Aunty Heather and Uncle Ron; Martin, Karen, Ben and Chloe; Sarah and her husband Dave; Christopher and his wife Janice; Mandy, Wes and Bethany; and Aunty Pauline.

We all had a fun afternoon catching up with one another.

Mum and Dad enjoyed having their family around them to help them celebrate 50 years of marriage.

Congratulations, Mum and Dad, we all love you very much.

16th December 1972

30th December 2022

Back to England

 

December 2023 marked the 50th Anniversary of my Mum and Dad's wedding. Violet asked if it could be a trip for just the two of us. Cora and I have done the same Dad/Daughter trip on two previous occasions, once when she was almost three and once when she was eight.

So on Boxing Day, Lis took us to the airport and we jetted off to England; just Vi and me.

Dad, Dean and Euan met us at Heathrow airport and drove us back to Somerset. It was lovely to see everyone and to be back home in Somerset again.

There had been plenty of rain, and as usual The Levels were flooded.

Whenever the weather allowed ,we got outside and took walks in the flooded moors.

Luckily Dad knows the fields and droves (tracks) like the back of his hand. He knows where the ditches are and where to walk without getting in over your head... literally.

We spent the rainy days and dark nights indoors, watching TV, playing guitars, doing puzzles. Violet spent time playing on her computer and looking at her phone.

We did have a couple of nice days as you can see from the blue skies in these photos.

Coming home from Yeovil late one afternoon we pulled over near Gawbridge Mill, and took this lovely sunset photo.

Christmas!

 Christmas Day arrived! 

A story about our footwear: I received some lovely new slippers, all soft and cushy on the inside. I let Violet try them on, and she refused to return them. Then Cora got one of them... and for this pic, I'm barefoot, hoping to get my slippers back, while each girl wears one.

Nick, Melanie and Eloise, being adorable. And in the background, peeking, is silly Uncle Stace.

We're firmly in a new world on Christmas morning, with the girls sleeping in, no longer excitedly rushing out for their stockings. Well, Violet was quick to get hers, but we practically had to remind Cora about hers.

We let them open a gift early and saved the rest for after dinner. They're holding a Critical Role plushie that talks.

Cora actually thought well ahead, and brought an English chocolate orange home from our summer trip for her dad. 

Ellie has become a fan of Snoopy and Peanuts, and I thought that she might enjoy Violet's lovely little Peanuts backpack as a gift. Violet hardly used it, and it's pretty much brand-new. I was tickled - as soon as she opened it, she spread her arms out so Nick could help her put it on. It'll be perfect for preschool in the coming years!

A new puzzle!

This is the book Violet bought Cora - so funny! And, well, true. Violet enjoys cooking, but Cora would rather do other things.

Cora's main gift from us was a 3D printer, so she can make mini figures for D&D. Violet's big gift was a laptop!

Grandpa is hoping to entice Cora into learning chess and playing with him. They spent some time with it while dinner was cooking.

For the first time, I bought an 8-pound rib roast. Isn't it gorgeous? I was a little nervous cooking such a special roast, but it all worked out.

YUM.

Merry Christmas!

Getting Ready for Christmas

The girls are finished with the first semester of school and are enjoying a nice, three-week-long bank. 

Violet's school had this sweet message on the last day. 

It made me think of just a few short years ago, when the last week before break involved Christmas parties at school that I'd help with. Now, for Cora at least, the last week is all final exams! Quite the opposite school experience.
 

Violet made this drawing on plastic for a friend, creating a kind of acrylic character figure.

She drew this for Cora for a Christmas present - I love her and her talent!

We went to Colleen and Rigo's house for a pre-Christmas gathering. The kids played Scattergories and ran around outside, while we adults enjoyed good food, conversation and a fire pit.

On Christmas Eve, Stace and I took a drive in the MGB and looked at Christmas lights, including these in Old Newhall.

This is the city Christmas tree, at the Newhall Library.

We also went to celebrate at Melanie and Nick's place. Stace is entertaining us all by wearing a (clean/new) Pullup as a hat.

Ellie, meanwhile, is wearing an Elf headband. It was nice being at Melanie's, as this was the first year they could host us all, since they've moved into a bigger place a few months ago.

Week in Review

Sue had several friends over for a holiday gathering Saturday evening. It was great catching up, and we ate well!

Violet was back at Gilchrist last week. Unfortunately, not long after this photo, her horse spooked, and reared and took off, and Vi landed on her bum. She was in a lot of pain, but is OK. After missing a couple of days of school, she's back now, though still a bit sore.

Violet and Stace had their vision appointments. Violet tried out contacts for the first time, but decided to stick with her glasses.

In December, our tomato plants are finally producing heavily, just in time for frost to make the fruit drop.

We got our Christmas tree decorated!

We had a nice Advent evening, with a fire and tree-decorating.
 

We also cheered on England in the World Cup, and were sad when they fell to France.

December Fun

It's December, cue the Christmas activities!

Can I be honest, though? I miss having younger kids who enjoyed these things more - now it's like pulling teeth to get the girls to do anything festive or seasonal. Not sure how much is their own personalities and proclivities, and how much is their age.

Anyway, we made Violet come with us to Placerita Nature Center on Saturday for the annual (except for the pandemic) Christmas craft fair, where you pay to make crafts and it's a fundraiser for the center.

Vi and I both made yule logs - they both came out very different, and I love them both. We'll use them for our family Advent devotions on Sundays this month.

Stace and I went out Saturday night, and enjoyed the beautiful Christmas decorations in downtown Newhall.
 

On Sunday evening, my mom was Mrs. Claus at Magic, so we went and enjoyed Holiday in the Park.

For old times sake, Stace and Cora had a battle in the Bugs Bunny attraction where you can shoot little foam balls at each other.

And of course, we saw Mrs. Claus...

...and Stace had a few words with St. Nick himself.