Christmas in the Midwest

For the first time since 1975, I was far from home for the Christmas holidays.

My first destination was SHEEcago where Kelty and Duane reside at 'Harbor Point' located downtown on the little peninsula that juts right out to Lake Michigan. They live in the cylinder-shaped part of the building. What a panoramic view!

(Sorry, friends. This is a stock photo , but the real thing is just as incredible.)

Kelty is growing by leaps and bounds. Just a few weeks until her little chickadee makes an appearance. The pregnancy has gone smoothly, even through the rigors of graduate school.

Located near their home is a place called Navy Pier where tourists board cruise ships, visit museums, shop til they drop, eat til they're stuffed, and RIDE THE FERRIS WHEEL.

We rode.

It was about 15 degrees outside, but we did it.

AND, we got this cool shot, just after de-boarding.

As Christmas drew nigh, Kelty and I packed our holiday gifts into her Toyota and headed east to Columbus where Leah (my other daughter) and her family live. About a six-hour drive.

Leah and Cody are parents to three lovely little lassies who are full of rip-roaring energy. Ages 1,3 & 6.

We built tents (out of sheets, which they really loved), frolicked to Christmas music, baked cookies for Santa, played games, and SOME of us took naps!

The morning after our arrival, we took a dip at their community pool. It even had an indoor "Lazy River". Quite a CLASSY facility, really.

* * * * * *

On Christmas Eve, Duane logged off from work, hopped onto a flight from Chicago and joined the gang in Ohio.

Here's the traditional shot that EVERYONE takes. Unfortunately, we weren't brilliant with the whole tri-pod thing so Leah was behind the camera instead of in the picture.

As for the presents . . .

Brinley, the eldest, was delighted with the COLOSSAL gift from Santa -

a dramatic play kitchen

which Daddy spent a good part of Christmas day assembling.

3 year-old Avery was quite content with a new set of puzzles
which she could assemble all by HERSELF.

Parting shot for 2009 -

Left to right: Brinley, Grandma Ginger, Avery, Leah, Aspen.

Kelty Is Blossoming

Celebration!

My baby Kelty's
baby is due
to make her appearance
in January.




Family and friends gathered to honor the mother-to-be, to shower her with sweet little baby things and fortify her with sage advice.

There was 'LIGHT SUPPER' which wasn't all that light.

Then, Jill
(my extraodinary daughter-in-law)
asked Kelty
to remove
the petals of a yellow rose,
sharing
thoughts or feelings
about becoming a mom,
one for each petal.

Followed by the ceremonious
opening of the gifts.

Let me just say, this wee little buttercup will have some stunning (and cozy) outfits during her first year of life! The presents were thoughtfully chosen and accompanied by sound advice from moms who've proceeded her on this journey.

Dana, my goddaughter #3, is also expecting in January and the two mamacitas look so darling together with their swelling bellies.

THANK YOU Jill and Leah, for putting together this marvelous event. You'll see no shots of my Leah girl, since she is tethered to her three little babes in Ohio. None-the-less, she managed to orchestrate various elements of the shower from the Midwest. She even made and mailed 30 parties favors and they were A HIT.

Sheesh.

I can't believe my BABY is With Child.

I look at her and my heart sings . . .

"Is this the little girl I carried?"

Thanksgiving 2009

The Thanksgiving holiday translated into a full week of wonderful chaos around my place.

(And, BTW, that's legitimate excuse for skipping the blog about my amazing drive home from Nevada.)

Amidst it all,
there were moments for snoozing.
Duane on the couch.
Pregnant Kelty on the floor
and Chica, the dog cozying into the scene.

And early morning wake-ups.
Grandson Kenneth on my bed.

Delightful, fully-awake play times.
Grandma Ginger's "Wiggle Cars"

And communal work times.
Arian and Duane peeling potatoes for a crowd.

Time for good conversation
with intermittent turkey basting.
Sister-in-law Cathy, her eldest girls Robyn & Eliza,
my goddaughter Victoria.


Finally, the BIG feast . . .

(Sorry, folks. I didn't catch everyone in this shot.)

and some little feasting too!
My darling granddaughter Audrey.


Fortunately,
there was a willing clean-up crew.
Kelty, Jill, niece Grace, Duane, goddaughter Dana and others.

When the dishes were done,
the extended family gathered for carol singing.
Every one of our clan loves to sing
and I have to say, we sounded awesome.

And, of course,
there were stolen moments for
hiking up the canyon.
Here's my dear daughter-in-law Jill
during one of those strolls.

Good times.