Christmas Eve 2022

Christmas this year was a little different than we’d anticipated. Poppy Dave came down with COVID and Grandma Debbie had a bad cold, so they stayed home in Pennsylvania. We missed celebrating with them in person but did some video gatherings so we could spend some time together virtually.

Ally opened the last day of her 12 day Advent calendar. With Cloey her trusty elf by her side.

We started a puzzle.

Daisy in her Christmas pajamas

And got ready to decorate gingerbread houses



On camera with Dave and Debbie. We had gingerbread house kits delivered to their house with some extra candy so they could decorate with us.

Julie, Ally, Becky, and Beth’s houses.

Dave and Debbie’s 

We finished our cookie puzzle. 

Attended Christmas Eve candle light service from home.

#1 Aunt and her niece.

Worked on a 2nd puzzle.

We did have tamales our traditional dinner for Christmas Eve but I did not get a picture of that.

Becky made after dinner cocktails for herself and Beth.

That required grating and actual nutmeg.

Ally imbibed of hot cocoa.

Beth enjoyed a candy cane.


While we watched Rudolph! Then it was off to bed to see if Santa would come.

December 1-24, 2022

December flew by in a whirl of ordinary life. Ally’s started JV basketball, winter semester classes and we watched lots of Law and Order SVU and trued to infuse life with some Christmas spirit.

Daisy had her annual vet appointment. She’s in good health.

We put our tree up. And Cloey found a new favorite spot under the tree.

Basketball season started for Ally.

We tried a new Advent calendar. 

Selfie!

Turns out the other Advent calendar was a dud. So we made one for Ally…12 days until Christmas.

Cloey had dental work done and 4 teeth pulled.

Evening naps were a regular thing?

Cloey’s new smile.

Ally enjoyed cocoa in her new Santa mug.

This year’s ornament is a volleyball!

Becky did an excellent job!

The flu and COVID hit Ally’s school hard. So hard they canceled after school activities the week before break, and a few days later they closed early for break. 

We have Ally’s room a little Christmas cheer with a new bedspread and some Rudolph sheets! 

Then Ally took Drivers Education on Zoom for 5 days. As a treat I got her Chil Fil A for lunch one day.

Cloey enjoyed spending hours near Ally while she was in class.

This year Ally got into opening our Christmas cards. Every night we sat together and Ally opened the cards and we watched SVU together and ate dinner. Lots of family time. 

The rest of November 2022

November was a strange month. The first half of the month we were preparing for Ally’s Golden Birthday and then Ally and I were sick for a solid week, then we went to Ohio. But here are some pictures and happenings.

The pets are so happy to have Ally home.

Ally’s volleyball team won their first game in the New England Private School Athletic Conference. Ally was home sick and could not be there.

Below is a screen of their next game in Connecticut. Ally was able to join the team at the game. Unfortunately they lost. 

Always surrounded.

This is an assignment for her English class.

Naps with pets



Heading to school. 

New Christmas sweaters for Cloey and Daisy.

We got our tree up! 

Thanksgiving 2022

Ally and I went to Columbus Ohio for Thanksgiving week and Becky took Cloey to Pennsylvania to be with her parents and Beth.

Katy drove out to the nursing home to see my dad our first day there. 


Pictures of grandkids and grand nieces

Adelaide made this picture of her and Ally.

Ally listened to a very long book Adelaide read her.

Pictures with cousins

Then back to Frank’s house. Bentley and Marley are always happy to see us.

Tuesday we met up with the Palmer cousins back at the nursing home for dinner with Grandpa Frank.

Christmas card photos!



And just some for posterity 





Ally loves Julie the dog

Wednesday we met up with Palmers at a bowling alley arcade.



Kurt and Jackson.

The girls did a virtual reality experience after bowling.

 

Then met up with Jackson and I in the arcade.



After bowling and the arcade we went to the Zoo for Zoolights. 



Mrs Claus



A group photo

Thanksgiving Day headed to Kurt’s 

6 teenagers all on their phones. They were actually playing a game against each other.

Ally’s dinner!

Selfie with mommy

Back with dogs at Frank’s house

Friday morning it was hard to say goodbye 


It was a busy week but so glad we made the trip and got to spend so much time with family.