On Christmas Eve,
the mouse was ready. . . .
our fake tree, loaded with vintage and precious handmade decorations, was ready. . . .
the old Santas were ready. . . .
Frankie and Twiggy were ready. . .
the manicotti was ready. . .
the pumpkin cake roll was ready. . .
the stockings were ready. . .
and the fresh cut Christmas tree stood ready over the presents. . . and they were ready, too!!!
On Christmas morning, the Grand Girl and Grand Boy checked out the gifts in their stockings and then. . . .
the exchanging and opening of the gifts started!!!
The Grand Girl received some dolls. . .
and the hubby received lots and lots of Gold Toe socks. . . cuz that's what he told everyone he wanted for Christmas when asked!!!
We dined on our tradional menu of breakfast casserole, fresh fruit, cinnamon rolls and orange juice and coffee.
After a bit, some of us took a little nap (me included!!), then we prepared for my niece, her hubby and her mother-in-law to come join in the Christmas fun!
This year, the Grand Girl received a kids camera and was all into taking photos. It was her idea to "pose" us using the props on hand. . . Christmas stockings, Gold Toe socks and candles!! My hubby took this picture with his camera...using the timer.
Now, back to the "ready" part of Christmas this year. . . do you see my DIL standing next to me? Ooops, in case this is your first time reading my blog, I'm the one in the back row, far right. My DIL is the very pregnant one next to me!!
Anyway. . . she was very ready to have their baby!!!
In fact, on the day after Christmas, she was scheduled to head to the hospital that evening to have that little baby boy, but first, she and I headed to Penney's and Target to hit the sales! :)
Then, around 4:02 a. m. on December the 27, the little boy came into this world. . . weighing in at 9 lb. 5 oz. and 20 inches long!!!
Mom and dad. . . .over joyed with their newest addition.
I made it to the hospital right after he was born.....no cracks about the hair do.
My hubby and I brought Big Sister and Big Brother to the hospital to meet their Little Brother later that afternoon. . .what a precious time!!!
Grandpa holding his newest grand child for the first time.
I have had the honor of putting a little heart on the foot of each of my newborn Grands. . . and this time was no different. . . .
except, I did add a heart to the Grand Girl's foot and she drew one on her mom's foot. Grand Boy #1 didn't want to have anything to do with that!!!!
Where did the week go? Christmas came and went, the new grand boy arrived, the other two grand kiddos stayed here until yesterday....and now they are gone, too!
THE STONE RABBIT says it's too quiet around here for him. . . and I have to say, I agree!
I hope you had a fabulous Christmas and I wish you the best New Year ever.
Please visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND for a long list of bloggers ready to share their posts with you!!
DANA
I'd say you had one precious Christmas Dana!!!! xoxo Happy New Year and goodness knows how I love that curly red hair.
Posted by: Lynn @thevintagenest | December 30, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Wow, Dana, I am feeling so emotional about your wonderful Christmas and then the arrival of the new beautiful grandboy. You did it Dana and you made everything beautiful and special. Your Christmas is a story in photos and I love love your post so much. This Christmas was a blessing to all of you. Also to anyone who reads your lovely experience about Christmas in your warm and loving home. This is an amazing 2011 Christmas story. No wonder you were exhausted. Just getting ready for Christmas this year had to be unnerving.
Now do what I did after all was said and done for Christmas. I spent the last three days doing nothing. Getting dressed way after noon and watching movies along with sleeping a lot. Now I am rested and ready to take on the New Year.
Have a wonderful New Year my dear friend. Be happy and healthy along with your special and loving family.
Love you much,
Jeanne ( Bill sends his well wishes for the New Year as well)
Posted by: jeanne | December 30, 2011 at 01:00 PM
Hi Dana,
Happy New Year. Looks like you had a Grand Christmas in more ways than one. Your new baby looks adorable, and your family is beautiful.
Wishing you many joys and blessings in the New Year.
Karen
Posted by: karenharveycox | December 30, 2011 at 02:12 PM
What a perfect Christmas! God Bless you and your family, Miss Dana! Have a wonderful 2012!
Posted by: Donna | December 30, 2011 at 02:59 PM
Santa just delayed the best gift of all a few hours. Looks like you and family had a great holiday. May it carry over into 2012.
Posted by: LaVoice | December 30, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Dana! Congratulations! What a darling baby and a blessing!
I can't even imagine how much work it took to coordinate all of this with a new baby coming, but it looks like you did a super job!
I've been MIA due to computer issues, but I wanted to drop by and wish you all the best for 2012!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Posted by: Mrs. Magpie | December 30, 2011 at 03:51 PM
I just had to come back and tell you I know you didn't mean the word 'hate.' I just chuckled when I read it. I know you much better than that my dear friend.
NOW REST SOME MORE!!!
Love you much,
Jeanne xo
Posted by: jeanne | December 30, 2011 at 04:02 PM
You had the best Christmas...and it cracks me up that she got her shopping in before that baby came! Sounds like she is related to me!!
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Ceekay | December 30, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Wow, what a wonderful Christmas...Happy New Year to you and your family and lets get together. call when you have some free time..haha Pat H
Posted by: pat h | December 30, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Congrats! Love the little heart feet. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Posted by: Sandy | December 30, 2011 at 08:59 PM
Dana, well, I just have a big ol' lump in my throat looking at the heart on the baby's foot. There is nothing that reminds us of the miracle like that sweet, perfect little baby foot. He is so blessed to have been sent to your family. It will be fun to watch him grow. Before you know it, you'll be posting first birthday pictures. Congratulations to you all!
P.S. good job on the sprint to Target's after Christmas Sale!!! Hats off!!!
Posted by: riverside studios | December 30, 2011 at 09:03 PM
It looks as though your Christmas was as perfect as a Christmas can be. What a lovely family you have and now another member to make your days even sunnier. I love the idea of the hearts on the kid's feet! Wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Posted by: Susan Freeman | December 31, 2011 at 05:40 AM
Best Christmas "present" ever...a healthy grand baby
Posted by: Gail | December 31, 2011 at 07:11 AM
Congratulations on the new addition! Blessings to you and your family in 2012!
Posted by: Knitty | December 31, 2011 at 07:54 AM
Congratulations on the birth of your grandson! It does go so quickly, doesn't it? Happy New Year!
Posted by: Nancy at Linens and Laurel | December 31, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Happy New Year. I hope yours is full of joy, peace, love and creativity!
Posted by: Pat | December 31, 2011 at 11:10 AM
And exhausted as you must be you shared one of your best posts! The hearts on the footsies - sniff sniff...so so sweet. I've never heard of that tradition and it is so sweet. Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas - and you look fabulous as does your whole family. I loved your baby pictures and when you showed the kids the new brother on the computer. I'm so happy for you and that everything went as planned.
We went to NB to our friends house for a couple of days, had a great time, came home exhausted, then our other friends came for a visit which was wonderful. They just left and I am so tired and just did my PS that I never finished but wanted to stop by and wish you a Happy 2012. xoxo and love, Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | December 31, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Dana, this post gave me the "ahs". You made it girl!!! And, look at your gorgeous family. You are all very blessed to have each other. God has gifted you with a beautiful and precious new life to treasure.
Happy Pink Saturday and best wishes for a very happy New Year. Thank you for making Pink Saturday special. I count you among my blessings.
Posted by: Beverly | December 31, 2011 at 06:27 PM
Well I'll have to say that sounds like one of the best Christmas' I've heard of in a long time! Congratulations on the new grand baby! I love how you put little hearts on their feet! That is just so sweet!
Happy New Year!
Angela
Posted by: Angela | December 31, 2011 at 06:50 PM
Dana what a wonderful Christmas! I'm laughing about the socks (my brother in law did that one year and everyone gave him socks) and rejoicing with you about the birth of your new Grand! Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2012~ hugs, Linda
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | January 01, 2012 at 07:21 AM
Oh, Dana . . . congratulations on that sweet, new, little boy!
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Sally | January 02, 2012 at 12:15 PM
looks like everyone is very busy :) i'd like to have a piece of that pumpking roll :) Hope to see you in my Pink Saturday entries one and two. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Mel Cole | January 06, 2012 at 06:20 AM
Sounds like you had an awesome Christmas! How precious to have the arrival of another grandbaby.So cute! I so wish my grandchildren lived closer so I can see them more often. They were here for Thankgiving. It was so fun to have them here!!
Linnea
Posted by: Linnea | January 06, 2012 at 09:50 PM