Tobey and Tina's wedding

Where are the Bride and Groom, you ask? Well, pictures will follow as soon as I can find a good one to share of them. Here are Grampa, Mimi & Abby at the reception. We had the best time. It was such an elaborate event...Prime Rib and the works....I gave my prime rib away and just ate the veggies, which were delicious! We even had a palet cleanser before our main course....Fancy Fancy! When the minister was saying the prayer over the meal, he started by saying "Tony & Tina's wedding!" I knew it would slip out some time during the day.... I was laughing so hard inside while my husband was kneeing me under the table to keep my body from shaking with laughter......The chocolate fountain with fruits and goodies to dip in was a big hit, as well as the 2 open bars....hiccup! Those gingerales were the bomb!
We stayed at the nicest hotel Indigo, next door to the Reception Hall and our room reminded me of a Beach...it had sea shells and blues and white decor...wonderful room! On our way home today, we went to the Woodfield Mall and ate at the Rainforest Cafe. I had the best dish, Rasta Pasta....very garlicy! Now it is time to unpack and get ready to ring in the New Year tonight. We will stay at home and watch the ball drop at Time Square.....I will probably have to turn the volume up on the t.v. cause hubby will be snoring! Happy New Year Everyone!

This was taken right before the wedding started. Aren't we a sweet couple? I love my hubby. This is my bargain, shop til you drop jacket I finally found at Carson's.....It didn't have a price tag on it, so I waited almost an hour to have a manager find out how much it was. The wait was worth it! I didn't realize that we both were wearing polka-dots....

My hubby even asked me to slow dance....We danced the Anniversary dance where you leave the dance floor when they announce how long you have been married. We had to leave at under 35 years....We have been married 33 years.

My Nephew's Wedding is Today

Today is a special day before New Year's Eve. Our nephew on my husband's side is getting married in Illinois. We are going to stay the night in a hotel next to the reception hall. It should be a fun day. It 's kind of nice celebrating a wedding 5 days after Christmas, since there is usually a let down feeling. It is also my sister-in-law's birthday, the mother of the groom. I will have both of my children with me also today, which makes me feel good! We will go to some popular stores on the way home tomorrow and do a little shopping, which will also be fun. I will post some pictures of the wedding when I get back. Congrats Tobey & Tina on your Special Day!

Memories from a Perfect Christmas

Abby sat by Grampa wanting to open HIS gifts. She didn't care about her gifts. Her daddy opened them for her. Grampa got the biggest kick out of her.
Our Christmas was perfect in every way. We had ALL our immediate family at our house. What a Blessing to be able to hold each grandchild and feel the Love.
The perfect ending to our night was when my son-in-law, Jeff, went to put his shoes on and discovered that my dad had wore his shoes home by mistake, thinking they were his shoes. They were black slip on shoes but Jeff's were 1 size smaller than my dad's. My dad had blamed the shoes for being tight on my ham I served! Jeff made the comment that to a 76 year old pair of eyes, they looked like his shoes! Jeff went over to exchange the shoes on his way home and was thankful that they still fit him perfectly. It was the funniest thing, I almost peed my pants laughing so hard at Jeff.
Abby says "I know I'm Cute! See my two front teeth? I'm sitting on Grampa's lap and not even crying for Mimi, cause I see her taking my picture.

Gray had the look of, "I don't have time for a picture Mimi" I want to go chase the dog and tease him with my sugar cookie!

AWAY IN A MANGER

I wanted to wish all my Blogger friends a Very Merry Christmas. Let's not lose site of the Real Meaning of this Wonderful Day.
Happy Birthday Jesus!

I have to admit that I have been dealing with extra stress getting ready for the holidays, but my beautiful daughter Steph, helped me realize, it's not all about the gifts & food and making everything perfect.......it's about being together as a family. My hope for everyone out there is that you have family & or friends to be with and make new memories. Love and Peace to All!

Home for Christmas...Come on in!

Welcome to my Home for Christmas...Come on in for the Tour. boomama is hosting the Tour of Homes, go check her lovely home out.

I Like greenery outside. My husband doesn't like lights outside, but I do, so we have the two little trees that light up. We also have a polar bear and reindeer that move and light up, but they weren't working this year....

Santa Greets everyone sitting in my husbands pedal car that the boys love to take rides in when they come to visit. The stockings are hung with care.....I use to hang them by the fireplace but it is a fire hazzard, so the entryway works out great.

My Piano is my favorite piece of furniture. I have curios filled with snowbabies that I collect on each side and across the room. My grand-kids pictures adorn the ledges.This is a favorite ornament that my sister gave me this year. It is a Hot Dog! I have two real ones. He is carrying packages and has on pink ear muffs.....I love lots of pictures of my grand-kids, Noah, Carter, Gray & Abby......My dining room is a very comfy room....My husband made a leaf for our table, so now we can seat our whole family for dinners.My snowbaby igloo.... My Chicken menu holder is a favorite of mine. Steph, my daughter gave to me as a gift one year. He watches over me when I cook. He sits on top of the frig. Christmas Barbie that belongs to my daughter...she sits in the curio cabinet. I have my Christmas cards I receive in a basket for all to look at on the coffee table....
My little cozy bathroom downstairs.....
This tour has made me sleepy......AND TO ALL, A GOODNIGHT! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I've been Tagged for a Hoopla!

Courtney from Taylor and Callee tagged me for a "hoopla", not a meme. Here are the instructions:

1. List 12 random things about yourself that has to do with Christmas.

2. Please refer to it as a hoopla and not the dreaded "m" word.

3. You have to specifically tag someone when your're done, no leaving it open.

4. Do it quickly, Lets get as many people tagged as possible.

Here Goes:

1. I still believe in Santa....he's my husband.

2. I tend to overdue it on stockings, I even got my grand-fish a stocking stuffer!

3. My favorite Christmas was when we found out a family was in need on Christmas morning and we gathered things to give their kids and my dad played Santa to deliver the gifts. My husband gave some of his collectible diecast cars to the boys. (See, I told you he is Santa).

4. I Love to watch Christmas Vacation....and the original Home Alone.

5. I Love to wear Christmas Socks.

6. I Love the little polar bears that poop out jelly beans....(so does my grand-son's).

7. I Love wearing Christmas tops.

8. I like my snowman earrings.

9. I love my moms homemade pumpkin bread with a cup of coffee...

10.I Love playing the piano and singing Christmas Carols.

11. I don't like cheap scotch tape with 1 foot on the roll.....or thin wrapping paper...

12. I'm in Love with my Collection of Snowbabies! They complete me!


I am tagging Jen & monkey kisses for a Hoopla!

"Our Gingerbread House"

I promised that I would share our Gingerbread house we built tonight. I was up to my elbows in icing and at one point the roof was sliding off....Carter & Noah started praying for the house and all of a sudden, it didn't move or fall. Gray was eating more candy than he was putting on the house. This was my very first try at making a gingerbread house and let me tell you, it is a hard job, but we pulled it off! When mommy & daddy came home from their night out, they were so surprised that we really did build it, especially with Gray around....but he placed each piece of candy so gently and wanted praise every time.....I had 3 very proud Boys.....We had a blast......

Gray, Carter & Noah are so proud of our Gingerbread house........

We had to put cups on the sides to keep the roof from sliding down until it dried......The boys can't wait to eat it tomorrow....

"Precious Mimi Moments"

I must share some Special Moments with you. Last night I was lying in bed watching t.v. and the phone rings....It was my daughter, Steph telling me that Carter, my middle grand-son started to cry because he misses me and wanted to talk to me. She gave the phone to Carter and these were his words "Mimi, I miss you and I LOVE you so much" and he was sobbing so hard. I told him that I missed him and loved him too and that I would see him Friday night and we are going to make a special surprise.....a Gingerbread house! That seemed to help just a little.....then his brother Noah wanted to talk, then Gray wanted to talk....which was the funniest conversation with a 2 year old....he said "Hi Mimi....doggy went poo poo"....well, they don't have dogs but I do, so maybe he saw one of my dogs go poo poo and remembered that. He continued on in his 2 year old jibberish and I could hear Steph and the rest of the family laughing at him....

I can't tell you how good that phone call made me feel....to know that I am so LOVED by these 3 little Angels! They keep me going....I tell you! After the week I have had, that was the medicine I needed. I told Steph, don't ever hesitate to call me when they want to talk to me...I don't care if it is 2:00 am....I will always have time for them. I am so thankful I only live 20 minutes away!

It was a Great day after all! I even had a surprise visit at work from my son, his wife and my grand-daughter, Abby. I am one Very Blessed Mimi!

P.S. I will post our Gingerbread house after we complete it tonight. The picture at the top is not mine....I just thought it looked good! Wait til you see Ours....Noah, Carter, Gray & Mimi's Gingerbread house....Will appear on tomorrow's blog.....Stay tuned, you don't want to miss it!

My thoughts for Today

Well, I've been feeling out of sorts the past few days....maybe it's the rainy weather we've been having, or the thoughts of Christmas Shopping, baking, wrapping gifts, when are we gathering as a family to exchange gifts and eating? It is coming fast upon us....Sometimes I feel pulled in so many different directions....

While eating my lunch today, my top tooth broke in half....why? I don't know why!...I am getting old and my teeth are not as strong as they use to be....I think I need more calcium. Thank God the dentist has an opening and can see me today.

With all of this said, I do have so much to be thankful for this Christmas Season.

I feel pretty! Watch me on "Sex And The City"

This is so much fun to play around with to see which "Star" you most look like. Have fun!

"Let it Snow, Let it Snow"

No, this is Not a giant cupcake....My backyard this morning....

"It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

I started at 6:30 am this morning and by 1:00 pm all the inside decorating was done! I usually have my tree up the day after Thanksgiving but I was moving a little slower this year in getting things together. I had the dread but now that it's done, I have a little more Christmas spirit.
This is my Caroler Kid that I found at Goodwill. She sings when you press her hand and her head moves back and forth. My Christmas tree has a variety of ornaments from Disney to Snowbaby Dept.56, which I collect. When we went to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Michigan, we picked up some beautiful ornaments that reminded Mike of his past, like the glass bells and birds with pine cones.

I hope to finish up the outside decorations this weekend if weather permits. The snow started falling around 1:00 pm today and it is very windy & icy right now. I feel a lot more organized and ready to finish up my Christmas Shopping....On-line shopping is the best! Delivery right to your door and you don't have to fight the crowd.....I just wish I had a personal gift wrapper to come and vist. I don't like to wrap too early cause I forget what I got people.

Happy December 1st! 23 shopping days left......