Oh just so very much to share since I have been away!  Three weeks ago I headed down to Nevada to be there when baby Maryellen was welcomed into the world!  She is named after my mom, who would be so excited to have seen, held, rocked, and love her.  Her siblings have been calling her Mimi since they found out their mom was having a baby, so Mimi is it for her nick name.  She is just the most beautiful and sweet baby ever!  She loves to be cuddled and I love that!

Big sister Isabel was so very excited to be having a baby sister and was even able to attend the birth!  Mimi will just love having such a wonderful big sister!!

This hospital was just the best!  They gave us all bracelets, I even had a grandma one!  The care that they provide and the staff was exceptional!  We should know, Becca was there 3 days waiting to have her, and then back another 2 to actually deliver!!

Of course, Nevada in winter means snow, and we got lots of it!  Bella just loved it.

One of the things that I have done pretty much all my life and a loved I have passed on to my girls and now the grands is doing jigsaw puzzles.  I took one and we blazed right through it and got several more.  Emmy seems to have taken after her grandma and is able to spot that elusive piece and fit it right in…..amazing for her age.  Bella was my main puzzle buddy.  We also played lots of Christmas trivia and we totally reorganized her room!

After a few weeks in Nevada, it was up to Washington to see these munchkins!  I was only able to stay a short stop there, but we got in lots of loving.  They are all growing so darn fast!  Jayse has just grown into a young man overnight!!

Violet had her school concert, it was so cute.  She had the role of pink panther in one of the songs and was absolutely adorable!  She is so strong and confident and will certainly go far!!

While helping Erica with Christmas shopping, I found a Christmas game.  Oh how fun it was.  We are a competitive bunch and when Erica and Mils faced off, it made for lots of laughs and steep competition!!

Once again so many wonderful memories made and stored away.  But oh how I miss my Ireland bunch!  Life is all about family and being with those we love, especially during the holidays.

All too soon it was back home to my doggies!  Oh how I miss them when I am gone.  My poor Booger is still limping and quite crippled up.  I had taken him to the vet prior to the journey and he was now worse.  It was off to the vet again and he is now on a series of medications.  He has somehow injured his front legs or has arthritis, but x-rays looked good.  He may need the ACL surgery if things do not improve!!  Poor Pig, it is awful to see him like this!

On this return, I brought a special package home with me!  I will be keeping my grandson, Jackson, for a bit.  Upon or arrival, we fixed up his room, got him enrolled in school, and then sent him and the hubby out to get a tree.  I had already done all the other decorating before I left for Nevada.  It will be nice to have a child in the house again!!  He has kept busy exploring and is so very helpful!

I think they did an amazing job on choosing the tree!!  It is just perfect!!

One must always put up the Nativity.  As a child I love our nativity set and would play with it.  Over the years the chalky characters began to show wear from so many children playing with them.  I wanted one just like it as an adult, and although  I could not find one like it, I did find one by Home Interiors way back when Christina was a baby.

This little hutch was just perfect for my collection of Santas.

This tree is filled with all the home made ornaments that I have been gifted and have been made by my grandma, mom, or myself.  It holds so many dear memories!

In past years I put my Christmas villages on the mantel, but this year I thought they would be quite cute under my vintage tree.

I just love a festive house and with Christmas music playing, holiday scents in my diffuser, and a Christmas puzzle on the table, the mood is just perfect!!

I have so very much more to share, but that will be for another blog!

Merry Christmas all!

Patricia