Family Gatherings

Christmas afternoon found us traveling to New York for Christmas dinner with Dave's side of our family. It was a gorgeous day that felt far more like Easter than Christmas, if truth be known. 

It was so lovely to be able to be part of the Christmas day celebration! With Dave having only Christmas day off from work, traveling for more than just that day was not possible for us. We are so grateful that Aunt Lucia and Uncle Joe were hosting the family this Christmas so that we could be part of the fun this year! 

 Yesterday saw my parents, brother and sister journeying to our house for dinner (lasagna made by Dave) and a Christmas celebration. 

This beautiful creation (an oven rack puller/pusher) was made by my insanely talented father. I had seen one in a catalog and thought that it would be perfect for the girls to use when using the oven. Rather than purchase that one, I asked if my dad could make us one. Forgetting that I had asked for this, and not expecting it to be skeleton key shaped (though with having keys like that in our old farmhouse it truly is the perfect choice), it took me a minute to figure out what it was (where they buying us a new house?!). Nope, not buying a house just fulfilling a request. Mom and dad did share with us that the wood used to make this gorgeous item came from the tree that had held the best rope swing ever. While we are sad that that tree is no longer standing we are happy that it will continue to live on for years (and maybe even generations) to come. Daddy, you never cease to amaze us! Thank you so very much! 

A much hoped for Christmas wish has come true! 

These gifts were a total surprise to David and I. We had no idea what these boxes would contain. 

Inside each box were items made by my Aunt Gail. My father's only sister is as insanely talented as he is. Though her craft item of choice is not wood or stained glass but fabric and thread. She inherited her mother's gift for sewing, and over the years has created some wonderful gifts for all of us (and this now includes her great-nieces). Last night, the girls opened these boxes to discover some wonderful creations. The first was a nightgown and mop cap. The mop caps had been given to Kaitlyn and I-along with matching nightgowns- when we were kids. The nightgowns were much loved and totally worn out but the mop caps lived on. Mom discovered them and enlisted Aunt Gail in the making of new nightgowns and the sprucing up of the aforementioned mop caps. Not one to stop there, she decided to to add to the gift and chose two dolls from her mother's (my grandmother's) extensive collection. She went on to create a matching outfit for each doll and enclosed them in the gift as well. What a truly incredible surprise! 

The dolls chosen for each girl were just perfect for them. Emma's doll's hair color is very similar to hers, and Grace's is too. It's as if Grandma Ruth knew all those years ago that she'd eventually have two great-granddaughters who these dolls would go to. Oh, how I wish my grandmother was still alive so she could see how instantly these two dolls were loved. 

"I love you!" xo