Looking Back

 Hi friends!  I hope you all had a blessed time over Christmas.  Before I get back to a regular blogging routine, I have to share a little bit about our Christmas.
We were planning to have my whole family here for Christmas Dinner - that would be 22 people, with a few others showing up after dinner.  So, on Christmas Eve, I was busy getting the house ready.  We have a family room in our basement where we set up tables for that many people to fit in.  We had that all set up and I was doing laundry. Bob and I were in the living room, when we heard a loud noise.  It wasn't a good noise!  Bob was checking things upstairs and I went downstairs to check the laundry room - and found a mess.  A water pipe had come apart and there was water all over the floor. Bob got the wet vac, we turned off the washing machine and went to work.  The good news was - it was clean water, and it didn't get into the family room.  The bad news was - the reason that pipe came apart was that there was a problem with the septic system.  (When you live in the country, you don't have city water, and need a septic system and a drain field).  
So - it was December 24, a 4 pm and a weekend coming.  We knew we were going to have to deal with it until Monday.  We told people to come, but would be trying to avoid using much water.
We were able to make it to church that evening for a candlelight Christmas Eve service which was beautiful.
On Christmas the family came and we had a wonderful day.

The family!  This is 3 tables lined up, filling the room.

After dinner, the guys took down the tables and we circled the room with chair.  Cassie is loving walking around if she can get someone to hold her hands.

She sat by Great Grandpa, but not for long.  She likes to be on the move.

Alaina was getting a laugh out of the hat my sister brought along - when you squeeze the bottom, the ears move.

Look how old Alaina is looking!

Andy and Nikki left KY Christmas evening and drove back to Michigan.  They arrived about 7am and went to bed for a while.  Bob and I went to church, and on Sunday afternoon, we had a Christmas celebration with our kids and grandkids.

We always read the Christmas story before opening gifts.  This year Alaina started the reading, but didn't like all the attention on her, so handed it off.

Ruby, checking out one of her stocking gifts.

Cassie is going to be introduced to the Muppets!

Andy and Nikki.  It was so nice having them here in person.

Aaron, Alaina and Laura.
I was mad at myself, because I missed getting a photo of Andrew, Heather and Cassie!

Nikki said that if I was going to keep taking pictures, I better be in one too.  So, here is one of Bob and I with our grandaughters!
It was a wonderful Christmas celebration on both days.

The jury is still out on our septic system.  We had it pumped and there is a chance we may need a new drain field, which costs about $14,000!  We are supposed to keep an eye on things and hopefully will know soon...