Note to Self

YOU can not take a 6 ft. artificial Christmas tree with the lights still on, up a flight of stairs to take through a closet and shove in the space created by the roof over hang.
Put it back in the box and store it in the garage just like you always have. You are not saving time, energy or anything of the sort and it can be very frustrating.
If you want to save time putting together the tree, buy a fresh one and put up with the irrational ravings of someone afraid it will catch fire if not kept watered or also wanting to wire it to the wall so it won't fall on anyone. (He might surprise you by helping put on those said Christmas lights like he did this year. That was so nice.)
Just a note to myself for next Christmas should this crazy thought pass through my head again.

Culinary Institutue of Virginia

This is Gloria Labao, she is a student at the Culinary Institute of Virginia. She had been a long haul truck driver. This is her "final". These are all appetizer type foods with melon carving.
The master chef used to be a chef for Buckingham Palace before he started this school in Norfolk.


























I didn't get a picture of the chickens they completely de-bone chop up the meat and put it all back together with spices and vegetables etc. and slice it for serving.












































These trays have gelatin layered and vegetables placed in such a way that it looks like something else like glass.






































This guy made an arrangement of vegetable flowers. There are mostly turnips, scallions, radishes and squash vase. I got to take this home and enjoy it. It only lasted a day, but it was so fun.
We are so glad that Gloria invited us to come a taste with wonderful treat of gourmet food.

It did get finished!

For those of you who asked. Our gingerbread mansion did get finished. Tim didn't get the icing put on the way "he would have done it" but isn't that just the way. We all did have fun.

That Sunday we had another family come over for dinner and we ate the gingerbread house for dessert.

I Cried the Day I took the Tree Down.

This was our tree and here are some photos from our Christmas.














This little fairy girl looked like Savannah to me and reminded me of the family we were missing during this wonderful time of the year.










Greg, Rachel, Dad and some friends finished this 3d puzzle of the Burj Al Arab, from Dubai.

















Hadley knows her Grandad is pretty special. She followed him when she could.










One day was really cold and then we had days that were wonderfully warm even hot.












Tim was our Gingerbread designer. He designed it after our home. We didn't finish it on Rachel and Micah's birthday but is was finished. I will post that picture later.






We did the cookies. Laura did the frosting.






We went ship looking. This is the USSGeorge Bush that was built here in Norfolk and will be commissioned soon, like tomorrow.











Even Max got a stocking.












Micah and Stephanie teased Dad about the mop bucket incident and gave us a garmin for finding our way in this new place.









Fancy Nancy got new duds.











Laura a completely autographed copy of the program from So YOu Think you Can Dance.
Thanks Chelsie.










Micah did some good shopping for Stephanie














Rachel bought a horse and Barbie for herself and gave it to Hadley. ;0)
We had a wonderful Christmas and we are grateful to all of you for your contribution. We love this time of year but what makes it special is what the season was meant to commemorate. We love the Savior and feel great gratitude for all he gave to us.











It is my belief that over time I have made each of you an apron. I may have Jaim and Jody yet to make one for (is that right)? Is there anyone else I have forgotten because I really can't remember and I don't want that to be the case. Please let me know and give me some idea of colors and design and it can be a co-operative effort.