Holy BRRR!

 Well, this is a fine way to start Christmas weekend.  Like many of you all across the US we have snow, winds, and bitter cold temps.  We got about 4in. of snow this morning but it's the darn wind that's really causing all the rukus.   Jack closed the office today and Jordan is having a few days off so we're home safe and sound.  I've been wrapping gifts and watching Christmas movies at the same time.  Poor Annabelle doesn't mind the snow or cold, it's the sound of the wind that scares her.  The Pines protect us from too much wind but the sound of it blowing through the trees is scary.  Anyway, it's been a while since I've posted so I'll play catch up today.  We went to Chicago last weekend to join with family to celebrate. It was a smaller crowd than normal but we still had fun and ate too much!  Here's just a few pics:

Hope was happy to have lots of new faces and folks to fawn all over her and all she wanted was to play.

Annabelle and Jack had other ideas!  The weather there last weekend was windy and pretty cold. There was snow too but we made it through without weather issues...just traffic issues.  All that traffic is so nuts. I guess I'm just too used to Amish buggies and country roads!  Saturday afternoon we went to my niece Katie's house for the party.

The host and hostess!  Katie and Blake

My sister Midge having a conversation with my niece Vicky and her hubby George. Vicky's Dad is my brother Greg who passed last year.  I know it was hard to come and not spend time with him as they always did in the past.  We miss him too.  

My nephew Tom and his wife Paula.  I only get to see them this time of year so it was fun to talk to them and find out what's happening in their life.

My niece Melissa and her family.  Her Dad is my brother Phil.  Phil and his wife Cilla came up from Florida and the cold weather wasn't a treat at all!  I know it's cold down south now but still nothing like last weekend or this one.

My brother Phil and my Sister-in-law, Cilla.  This was really taken last year but I didn't get any of them together this year! Falling down on my camera duties!

As always we have tons of food...and this was at the end when everyone was taking home sweets that were left.  We had a lovely dinner of lasagna and salad and bread and other delish items.  Usually it's catered and we always would have so much food left over that we trimmed it down this year and it was so much easier and much less food wasted.  Games are also a part of the night and Katie and my niece Amy had some for the kiddos and the adults.  It was lots of fun and we cap it all off at the end with the white elephant gift exchange. You're supposed to bring an item that you don't want anymore but we also get things that folks buy that they think are funny.  I was the winner of one such gift:

Please pardon my French! This makes it easy for me to have a white elephant for next year! Yes, watch out because it's going to be regifted for sure!  I was sad to say bye to everyone and especially my sister but we're getting together in January when she comes here for a week or so. First she's  heading off to Florida for a week with Amy and Eric and their kiddos.  Hopefully she'll have a warm time down there!  I'll be posting again as we celebrate Christmas here with my kids on Sunday.  I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and please stay warm and safe wherever you may be this year.