Christmas

Our Christmas Eve has always been with the Young's.  Same tradition for the past 64 years.  Someone decided they wanted to change it this year and have it the Saturday before Christmas.  It was fun, but I'm sure we will go back to having it on Christmas Eve next year.  It just didn't seem right.  We all felt that it really should be Christmas Eve and it wasn't.  Funny thing happened on our way home, my brother-in-law, Tristen and myself were laughing at Bridget because she was saying that Santa Clause was scary.  Mitch went through a yellow light that turned red and got pulled over.  The cop was a guy that I went to High School with thank goodness, because he didn't give Mitch a ticket.  We had a lot of fun activities that evening which included playing bells, a photo booth, and decorating sugar cookies.

Of course Santa always comes at the end of the evening.  Funny how the three youngest grandchildren all cried when it came to Santa.

Christmas Eve consisted of Pizza, the Missionaries came over, our traditional new Christmas storybook,  pj's, drawings of what Christmas means to each of the grandchildren and the Christmas Story read by dad.  

Christmas morning was just us single kids with mom and dad, which means we woke late and slowly opened presents.  Around noon the kids came over for waffles.  I got a lot of fun stuff; a cook book, super cute red pj's and slippers, jewelry including an ovarian cancer pin, books, and my favorite a garmin running watch (actually I won't get it until January because it is back ordered).  

That afternoon we went over to Grandpa Young's and spent time with the family.  At 6:30 my siblings came over and we opened more presents.  I must say I like it better when we do the siblings presents on a different day like we have in years past.  It spreads Christmas out and doesn't seem so rushed.  

The kids got blankets from grandma and grandpa and loved them.  My favorite gift's this year were the gift of life, health, wellness and just being together with my family!

Trying to get a picture of all the girls in their matching night gowns is one difficult task, man they are so stinkin' cute!

2013 Favorite Things

1.  Hand Stamped Jewelry
2.  Barf Bags:  Yep much better barfing in the bags than the small bowls
3.  Market Baskets that I got in Phoenix
4.  Black Yoga Pants
5.  Flavored Balsamic Vinegars, especially Leroux which I got in Martha's Vineyard, made into my favorite Spinach Salad Dressing
6.  Chicago Style Popcorn from Costco
7.  My Vitamix
8.  Dansko's, yes still my favorite shoes
9.  My second pair of Asics running shoes
10.  Calvin Klein and Lucky Jeans
11. Scarves and Hats to cover my bald head, but now I'm done with wanting to cover my bald head
12.  Sweet Barbecue Sauce from the Woodlands BBQ and Pig Pickin' Parlor in Blowing Rock, NC.  I seriously could drink this stuff!
13.  Vera Bradley purses and bags
14.  Tazo Herbal Tea found at Wal-Mart.  Love the wild sweet orange, mint and passion which is kind of tart and has hibiscus!
15.  Blog Books

Top 13 Moments of 2013

Here is my top 13 of 2013 in no particular order:
1.  Living through a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer, an 8 hour surgery, 2 minor surgeries, 19 days in the hospital, 4 months of chemotherapy and being a champ through losing my hair.

2.  Disney World, Harry Potter Land, Fresh Strawberry and Orange Fields in Florida.

3.  A Beautiful Seattle Day in January and visiting with my dear friend Aubrey not once, not twice but three times this year!

4.  Spending precious time with Grandpa Swensen and family more than I have in years.

5. Visiting great friends and cousins in NYC.

6.  Picking grapefruit off a tree and eating as much as I wanted, when I wanted for 10 weeks.

7.  2 NC visits and a day in Charleston.

8.  Re-connecting with and seeing Kirt after 9 years and seeing PA friends!

9.  Visits from friends Nick, Grandma Jeanette, Pam and Lauren.

10.  Seeing productions of Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Annie, Tarzan and The Charlotte Symphony Christmas.

11.  24 hours on Martha's Vineyard

12.  My first Thanksgiving Day 5K

13.  Watching as much college football and eating as many snow cones as my little heart desired.