It's hard to believe as I am writing this - it is now a New Year - 2020!
December was a busy month for us, and I just found it hard to take the time to blog daily, but I do hope to return to regular posts in the coming days, when we begin traveling again.
We did quite a few fun things; visited a lot of doctors (routine only); and of course was busy with holiday fun.
I started off the first of the month with my sisters and my daughter Misti going to the Independence, KS Christmas Home Tour. After church, I loaded everyone up and we made the 35 mile drive where we enjoyed visiting with each other and viewing four homes. The first home we visited was the best and we thoroughly enjoyed our tour through it.
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| From bottom up: Misti, Cindy, Jody and Crystal. |
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| I had to include both pictures since neither of them had everyone looking at me. Lol! |
It was a large older home with 4 or 5 bedrooms and two baths. It was decorated to the nines and reminds me of all the Christmas decorations I used to have. I do not miss them at all. I'll probably stick with my tree that holds decorations from when the kids were small, those I've recieved from friends, my mom's and the Hallmark ornaments that I have bought for each of the grandkids for the year they are born. When I look at that tree it reminds me of very special memories - much more important than an impersonal tree. How we change with time.
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| A beautiful truck on display at the second home we visited. |
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| This was the home of William Inge, a famous playwright born and raised in Independence. |
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| I loved this Christmas tree with all of these beautiful hats. It made me think of my "Nana" who had a number of beautiful hats. How I wish I had one or two of them. |
Our grandson Jaxson's school Christmas program was Monday, December 2. His sister Kamron had a basketball game that night and Mom's job (UPS driver) is requiring later hours as it nears Christmas, so Papa and Nana and his Mimi (Jen's mom) attended the program. Fortunately, Mom, Dad and Kamron made it, albeit a little late and was able to see him in the final part of the program where all of the children sang a few songs together. He did a great job! I'm not sure what date these pictures were taken but it was before the Christmas break from school. The school had the pictures taken of each of the students for their parents/grandparents. I love this picture!
In November and December we both had routine doctor visits. Let's see Heart, Dermatologist, Urologist, Dentist, Eye Doctor, Chiropractor, Primary Care Doctor, and Hearing Aide checkup. Whew - that's a lot to fit into a two month period and fortunately we both had great reports. Praise God for that!
We've been able to attend a few basketball games to watch our granddaughter and hope to get one more in before we head to Wichita for a couple of days with Dean's boys on Jan 27th. We were able to attend the 8th grade parent's night at one of her games. She not only plays basketball but is also a cheerleader.
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| Shooting the ball....I don't remember if she made this one but she did make a basket during the game. |
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| Jaxson watching Sissy |
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| Front and center is our girl. |
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| Mom Jen, Kamron & Dad Marc at Parent Night. |
Jaxson spent the night with us a few weeks before Christmas. December is a busy time for UPS drivers and makes for late evenings. Kamron had a basketball game out of town, so I picked him up from school. He was pretty excited about having a sleepover with Nana and Papa. We had so much fun, and he asked if he could do it again soon.
Dean started on the desk project and he completed it shortly after the first of the year. We moved it into Bentley the evening of Jan. 7th.
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| The frame |
Friday, Dec 13 we moved Bentley to son Brett's house near Lamar, MO for our Christmas with our kids and grandkids (at least those who were able to attend) on Saturday evening. While not everyone could be there we still had a great time. I have been making one of the saran wrap balls for our kids and their spouses to unravel for the past few years. This year I added one for the younger kids. They all had a great time trying to win the big prize. I wrap the ball over and over to make it worth the effort to unwrap it. It passed through their hands many, many times before someone finally won!
Next - opening the presents. We have a system, starting with the youngest child opening presents and work up to the oldest child. I've grouped them in their own family unit rather than separate pictures for each one.
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| Brett/Emilee's Family - Tucker, Dacy and Logen. |
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| Marc/Jen's family - Jaxson & Kamron |
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| Matt/Megan's Family via Skype - Sam, Sarah and Josh |
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| Jarred/Andrea's family - Emerson (and one on the way - June 2020) |
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| Heath/Casey's family - Gideon, Abram and Roman |
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| Misti's daughter - Haleigh |
We planned to leave on Sunday afternoon but a winter storm moved in. We didn't relish the thought of pulling the RV on ice and snow packed roads. While it wasn't bad in Kansas, western Missouri received quite a bit of rain and snow.
Monday (12-16) we were up early to make a long drive to Vinita, OK for a lab appointment before my doctor visit next Monday. Missouri roads were somewhat clear but it was still slow moving.
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| I-49 in Missouri |
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| Brett's house before we left - beautiful sunrises from here |
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| A cold, snowy yet a beautiful morning. |
Once we hit the Oklahoma line, the roads were as clear as could be. Not sure if it was the break in the weather or more highway workers in the area here. Either way, we made it there with no problems. We came back through Oswego and the roads were fine all the way until we hit Missouri again north and east of Pittsburg.
The next day (12-17) Dean had an appointment in Springfield with his urologist. It went very well, we ate lunch and then headed back to Brett's. Somehow "chicken" came up in the conversation and the next thing I knew we were in the truck and headed to Chicken Mary's. It was soooo goood!!!!
Wednesday (12-18) back to Joplin for my annual eye appointment with my ophthalmologist, then on to Sam's for Dean to have an eye test to order new lenses. I cannot believe I walked around that store for over 1.5 hours waiting on him. He was no happier than I was at that wait. On the upside I got lots of steps today! Look for the silver lining, right?
By Thursday (12-19) the roads were clear and we were finally able to head back to Oswego. Not that we minded the time spent with Brett's family, but we had some other things to do for the upcoming weekend - my sister's and I were hosting our families for our Christmas. By the time we got hooked up and drove back to Oswego and set up, had lunch, did some laundry it was time to head to Columbus to the Columbus High School Christmas program. Dacy and Tucker are both in band. They have an amazing music teacher and it is a treat to hear this group perform every single time!
Sunday (12-22) Dean, two of my sisters and Jody's husband Mark and I met at the Community Center to set up tables and chairs so we could get that chore out of the way for our dinner at 1. We will meet back there at 11 or so to make tea and lemonade, bake some things, etc. before everyone starts showing up between 12-1. We started inviting our stepdad Larry and his wife Verna several years ago, and also our Aunt Betty and her daughter Barbara. Fortunately the weather was cooperative this year and they were able to make it.
After dinner we had our gift exchange - we passed gifts around the table as we sang Jingle Bells or some other Christmas tune. When the song stopped so did the passing of presents. It's a little fun to the time together; and then come the pictures:
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| Sister Crystal, BIL Lonie and grandson Dempsey! |
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| Sister Jody & Family L to R; Nathan (youngest son), Amy (daughter, &husband Burk),Mark and Jody with granddaughter Peyton. |
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| Blackledge Sisters Cheri, Cindy, Crystal & Carla (Jody) Our stepdad Larry & his wife Verna |
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| Grandchildren of Don Blackledge and Barbara Long with our Stepdad Larry & his wife Verna |
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| My Aunt Betty and her daughter Barbara |
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| Daughter Misti, Granddaughter Haleigh Dean and I |
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| Sister Cindy's Brood Tim (hiding behind his wife Melissa) Ty (the tall one) and Aaron (the second tall one) Melissa, Nikki (Cindy's daughters), Kennedy and Bethany (Aaron's wife) Kass on Cindy's lap, Raylen on his Papa's lap along with Hannah Dani |
Monday (12-23) I made the drive back to Vinita to see the doctor and to obtain the results of my lab work last week. I had a great report and I don't have to see her for six months.
Christmas Day, Misti invited us over to watch Haleigh open her presents and to have breakfast with them. Watching Haleigh open one of the presents her mom gave her was so touching. Before we left home, Misti asked me if I could print out a map of California and bring with us. I found one that showed each of the counties - and also the county seat of each one. That happened to be perfect for what she wanted it for. She wrapped the map in a box. When Haleigh got up later and opened it there was an arrow with a note - We are going here!
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| She was pretty overwhelmed with the gift of seeing her brother Logan! The tears were flowing. I don't think you could have given her a better Christmas present. |
HERE is El Centro, CA where her brother Logan is stationed in the Navy. When she read it, she began to cry and was overjoyed at the opportunity to go see him. Misti did tell her it would not be immediately but sometime in the near future. I was so touched by Haleigh's reaction it still brings tears to my eyes just telling you all about it. Later in the day we drove to Parsons to see Marc, Jen and the grandkids. We stayed and ate pizza with them after seeing all of the presents the kids received. Yep, I forgot to take pictures.
Monday, Dec 30 I went to Parsons to get Jaxson for the day. Kamron has basketball practice this morning, so Marc will bring her down around noon. We had so much fun. I taught him how to play "Go Fish". He loved it and we played several games. After Kamron arrive, we taught Jaxson how to play "52 card pickup". I wish I would have taken a picture of the look on his face when those cards went flying all around him. He thought that was the coolest game ever! Papa went to the garage in the afternoon, so we put a movie in for Jaxson to watch and Kamron and I played Yahtzee for the remainder of the afternoon. It was a great day.
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| He loves Papa's little neck pillow and thinks it looks like a great hat. Kind of reminds me of an artist. Lol! |
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| Playing Go Fish - he's using my Hand, Knee & Foot card holder. |
New Year's Eve Dean and I went to Cindy & Elmer's to play cards. It was another fun evening. We ended up talking until almost 11pm when we finally headed home. I think Dean and I were in bed before 11:30 and I know I was asleep before midnight or I would have heard the typical fireworks/gunshots that occur around here. It's been a great year!
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