Joan on the Road...of Life

I think we are still decompressing from our long stay in Illinois and our marathon trip across country. I just wanted to relax in a recliner and absorb the family around me :) Some kids played Killer Bunny, others were on the X-Box with Guitar Hereo. Grandpa and I were happy to just watch it all happen!

We had a lovely day at Renee and Tom's with all the SoCal family attending. More food than we could possibly eat. In fact, I just realized I never had any pumpkin pie and whipped cream. Tom did a rotisserie beef roast and spiral ham along with his cheesy potato slices. I added my spinach-artichoke casserole. Jim supplied Almond Champagne, Mary made Pear Pies and Naomi brought Kiss Kookies and double chocolate chippers. We were a well fed bunch! Evan never sat down for a meal. He just wandered around and got bites from everyone.

We didn't have much time to shop so I came up with the bright idea of giving everyone a Classical Music CD. I wrapped them and put them in a bag so it was reach in and grab. I think it was a well received gift. No one ran over to put their CD on the player but I imagine a few got played last night or this morning. It was a great classical selection and I wish I could have opened thme all and copied them before giving away :)

Mary amazed us with her many handmade gifts, especially the huge knotted fleece blankets. The tall boys loved that she'd made them extra long. We all wonder where she gets the time to do these special Christmas gifts along with going to school and working.

So today the party is over and I MUST start to wrap my arms around the Family Calendar. It's a long standing tradition that I surely can't break so you know where the monkey is today :)