Sunday, December 26, 2010

Weekly Winners/Sundays in My City




Well, my Sunday's almost over already, but Lotus's Weekly Winners and Sundays in My City
are the perfect themes for sharing what I've been up to this weekend.

On Christmas eve, we puppysat for Santa for a few hours. It was torture for poor Kendall,
who has always wanted, "a cuddly, little, white puppy" that wouldn't make her allergies flare up.
Gus, a "teddy bear" totally fit the bill....


Kendall couldn't have fallen more in love if she'd been given a new, luxurious scarf!


He never left her side...



...except when he was at Mr.4444's side, which Cooper didn't appreciate.
He had something to say about it (and something tells me we should be grateful we don't speak dog)!


More cuddling....


When Santa arrived (around 11pm), we tried to tell him that the dog had run away...
...but he didn't fall for it.

We basically had to pry Gus from Kendall's arms.


It helped that we then snuck outside for our annual tradition
of decorating the rest of the tree at the entrance to our neighborhood.


On Christmas morning, Kyle was thrilled to open his new snowboard...


When I saw his size 14 boots, I was blown away.
(Couldn't get a pic to show how ginormous they are.)

For breakfast, I made my usual Blueberry French Toast, the recipe for which you will find here.


We then headed to Grandma 4444's for more gift-box carnage and the annual pic in front of the tree.


Grandma 4444 made her famous City Chicken that night,
(which I have promised Mr.4444 I would learn how to make,
even though I have absolutely no desire to--It's very putsy!
Isn't making pasties* enough proof of my love?!)

Mashed potatoes and homemade gravy are a must for a city chicken feast.
Mr.4444 helped his mom make the gravy
(it's a science, you know, and the technique is very important.)


And finally, a glimpse of my nativity scene, which was entirely set up for me by a four year old little boy who celebrated his first Christmas this year (long story) and had no knowledge of the Christmas story but did an amazing job as I shared the story with him. My favorite part is how he placed Joseph and one of the wise men; they are nose-to-nose, in seemingly deep conversation.



I wonder what they were saying.

Oops! I almost forgot that last week, I took this photo at the church in which the Tinytown high school
marching band and choir held a Christmas concert.
It was so beautiful inside, I was instantly filled with holiday spirit.
There is nothing like a holiday concert, at night, in an old Catholic church.
.

Some of my fondest memories involve midnight/late-night Christmas eve masses from years ago.
(One of these years, I'll talk Mr.4444 and the kids into attending one, instead of going to early mass.)

However you celebrated your holidays this year,
I hope that you, too, have happy memories to last another year or more :)




*For those of you fixated on the word "pasties," click on my link--It's the plural of pasty, not be be confused with the stripper paraphernalia!haha

23 comments:

  1. Very nice, Barb! I don't DARE house sit any critter or my home life would be torture. Kendall is much more forgiving than my daughter...

    Love the holiday spirit and the church photo is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Such a modern Norman Rockwell Christmas! Almost picture book perfect. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I can't believe you guys had to give Gus back! What a cutie!

    Happy New Year!

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  4. There is nothing like being completely occupied every moment by family during the Christmas season. Old stories and new adventures set the tone. Looks like your family had a great time. So did we.

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  5. Oh my word. That is the best dog I have ever seen in all my life. Go and kidnap it at once : ) Please.

    I mean, what else do you have to do this week, right? : ) You are on vacation!

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  6. Awww. They are all great, but my fave is the one with the Dog's chin peeking over the couch! Looks like you all had a great time... :)

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  7. If my fluffy-puppy-loving Katarina had gotten anywhere near that dog, she would have taken it and ran away so that he would never leave her!

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  8. I think Kendall needs ONE MORE Christmas present that's white and fluffy....
    Beautiful pictures!

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  9. The photos are wonderful! That little puppy stole my heart. I wanted to keep him!

    It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas and your memories will be good ones.

    The church is beautiful.

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  10. The little white dog is cute but I feel sorry for Cooper who seems to have been pretty much ignored. No wonder he was upset! I'm sure he'd like to curl up on Kendall's lap too if she'd let him.

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  11. What a beautiful Christmas! Glad it was so lovely for your whole family!

    P.S. Kendall needs a little dog like that.

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  12. Awesome pictures! I love Kendall scarf, so cute!Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! Have a great week!

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  13. I love your set here, I hope it was a wonderful holiday! wishing you a very merry Christmas and happy healthy new year!!

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  14. Don't worry, Karen, Cooper was only suffering for a few hours, and while Kendall was largely ignoring him, Mr.4444 went out of his way to make sure he was getting enough attention. He was only holding Gus in that photo because Kendall couldn't hold him and use the bathroom at the same time, haha!

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  15. That little puppy and Kendall sure look good together, like pals for life instead of one night. Really cute puppy. Nice to see Mr 4444 making gravy and helping his mom with dinner.

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  16. It looks like you and your lovely family had a terrific holiday, so glad!

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  17. 'Teddy bear' looks so very cute and the church looks very beautiful. Seems like u had a blast;)Happy 2011!!!

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  18. Love the nativity scene. Simply elegant!

    And ditto on the old Catholic church for Midnight Mass memory. I fondly remember that!

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  19. You guys are the cutest family ever! And you seem like you have so much fun!!! I love it.

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  20. like the live scarf - cool pic
    Not only are your pics great but the story behind them too.
    Happy New Year

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  21. You must get that beautiful girl her own little lap dog :)
    Your photo's are so lovely it looks like you had a great Christmas and the Nativity Story..teary and the church..beautiful...
    Happy Happy New Year!!

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  22. Ok, I am in love with Gus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  23. Oh that sweet little Gus could wrap 'round my neck any-day of the week!!!

    I adored touring your Christmas. It's great when ya have everything ya need for the perfect Christmas celebration. Those big old smilin' faces just say it all.

    God bless ya and enjoy this week sweetie.

    Our big old Christmas bash is on Saturday...I truly need to be bakin'!

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