Christmas Spirit

Getting ready for Christmas is interesting when you have

a little dog and grandchildren around to "help".

Susanna "decorated" Jack with a jingle bells wreath,

but he was more interested in giving her kisses.

Our family Christmas time will be Thanksgiving this year

with fifteen of us all together here. I am looking forward

to the wonderful confusion of those days!

And probably I'll feel a little relief when they all leave.

But for now I am excited about everyone coming.

Our dear little Kelsey Dawn Schultz -

a true "gift" of love.

Leaf Storm Etc.

The leaves are quickly disappearing off the trees.

Today I walked outdoors and it really did look like a "leaf storm"

with leaves "raining" down from our big maple tree.

I wish I could have captured it with my camera.

Susanna and I went shopping at State College until we were

both ready to drop...we were so tired we began to get silly,

and that won't do when I'm around. But we had fun,

and got some Christmas shopping done. Yeah!

We are planning our family gathering at Thanksgiving this year

because that's what works best with our

growing number - fifteen now.

Then Richard and me and Susanna plan to go down and

spend Christmas with Jacob and Rachael in South Carolina

while the others go their separate ways with "the other side".

I consider my family to be one of my richest blessings in life

and I'm thankful we can be together this season of the year.