Surprise, surprise, surprise!

So a few weeks before Christmas as I am recovering from a total hysterectomy and putting up Christmas decorations, when we get an unexpected visit from Amanda, Matthew and Makenzie.  Now this alone is quite a treat, cause they never come to just "visit" without food or a project involved, so we were kinda excited and curious.  When they entered, Makenzie was enthralled with my Christmas village and especially the train around the village.  Pop was "helping" her watch the train and I watched from my chair at her enjoyment and amazement of the train moving on the tracks.  After a bit, her jacket came off and I noticed a shirt that said, "Big Sister" on it.  My first thought was, "why would Amanda put a shirt like that on Makenzie?" (I was assuming it was a hand-me-down from one of her older cousins)  Naturally, I aired my thought and to my surprise I discovered it was NOT a hand-me-down!  Her mama was pregnant again!  Grandbaby #2 was a cookin'!!  What a fantastic Christmas surprise.  Her due date is July 31 - I predict more like July 20ish!

I am so lucky I was off work for my surgery and could go with Mark to her house frequently over the next 2 weeks to help out with Makenzie.  Amanda was so sick!  How fortunate that they had moved closer to us so we could help out.  So that was surprise #1.

Surprise #2 came on Lindsay's 19th birthday.  She received an engagement ring from her boyfriend, Rocky.  That meant 2 weddings and a new grandchild in 2013 for Mark and I!  How great is that!

With the exception of Amanda being so sick throughout the holidays and my mom recuperating from pneumonia, the holidays were wonderful, if not "different" for Mark and I.  At the Carson Christmas party we actually had EVERYONE present.  That was the first time that has happened in years!  We had a great time!  On Christmas Eve, we had the Brush side Christmas at our niece, Marie's house in Holland in the afternoon.  That left us free to go to church in the evening.  Mark and I went to services at Ridgepoint and thoroughly enjoyed it together!  We then spent the evening by ourselves for the first time since we had children.  We enjoyed a nice fire together.  It was OK though. 

Christmas day we were alone most of the day with the exception of Lindsay and Rocky spending a couple of hours with us so they could open Santa Claus presents.  We enjoyed homemade cinnamon rolls for "brunch" and a slow cooked chicken with all the fixings and pumpkin pie for dinner.  This was the beginning of a new way of spending our holiday - childless.  In years past, we made Christmas last all day long.  The kids would get up early and we would open gifts from Santa.  Then we would have a big breakfast on our Christmas china.  Around noon we would open up our stockings.  All afternoon we would "graze" on tortilla wraps, cheese ball and crax and Christmas cookies and goodies.  Come Christmas night we would have a big Christmas dinner on our fine china.  After dinner we would open our gifts to each other from under the tree.  Some years, if we had snow, we would then make homemade ice cream to have with our special Christmas dessert.  I've always loved Christmas "at home".  Loved watching my kids and hubby play with their new toys or watch their new movies.  We would stay in our PJ's all day long.  It was so relaxing and fun.  This year started a new way to spend the Christmas with just the two of us.  Is was still very nice because WE made it very nice.  We still enjoyed our time together, enjoyed a fire in the fireplace all day long, had a special meal and opened some presents.  We missed our kids, but it was time to let go.  We are happy all of our kids are out on their own now and we will always cherish the memories of past Christmases. Besides, we could look forward to the day after Christmas when we were getting together will all of our kids!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So our family Christmas finally came the day after Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Makenzie just loved Gma's village and train!

Makenzie enjoying her cradle and new dolly from Grammy and Pop!

Wasn't sure if everyone was going to be able to make it since Amanda now had a sinus infection in addition to pregnancy related sickness.  The good news is, that she did make it!  This Christmas was a little different than other Christmases because Mark and I decided that we weren't able to spend alot of money on gifts since I'd been off work without pay and he laid off.  So we made the majority of our presents.  Boy, did Mark and I have a good time at that!!  Together we made the wood snowmen in the pic above for each of the kids.  In addition, Mark made coat racks with cupboards, a jewelry box, bread box, and a bow rack.  I crocheted scarfs, kindle cover, ear warmers, headbands, leg warmers and boot cuffs.  We enjoyed a nice ham dinner together with "smudge" for dessert!  I absolutely LOVED having our whole family in the house! 

The table all set !

2012 Ends With A Party!

Mark & I at Rick's wedding

On Dec. 29, 2012 we happily watched our nephew, Rick, who is like a son to us, get married to the love of his life, Celeste.

Mark was Rick's best man and provided an awesome, heartfelt speech.  It was such a warm and fuzzy day for us.  We are so proud of Rick and during the ceremony felt the presence of his father, Tim looking down upon us from heaven.  He would be so proud of his son, I know we were!

My wonderful son-in-law, Matthew Grunst, also stood up with Rick.  Here they are prior to the ceremony . . . umm, see the "bag" Rick's carrying in?  They made use of what was in that bag prior to the ceremony to give them fortification!  Ha!  The reception was a blast and Mark THOROUGHLY enjoyed himself and actually drank enough to get on the dance floor and fast dance . . . quite hilarious!