Christmas is Still Going On For Me

We did something different this year for Christmas. We met at a Mexican restaurant in Rockford the Sunday after New Year's Day. It was a time when most of us could be together and it doesn't really matter to us if we celebrate on THE day...just so we can all be together.I love it when we can stretch out the holidays. We see different people and can really enjoy their company more. We had such a good time today. Wonderful food...so much..groan! We all had something different. There was a vegetarian menu...so our three veggies were happy. My daughter got a sock monkey hat and she wore it all the time, after she opened it. This is the only dark picture...I wanted it to be bright but that's the way with amateur photographers. Here is Sydney...home from college to be with the family. She has a year and a half more of school before she will be a Dr. of Physical Therapy. She is working so hard. We love it when she can be with us.

Here's Joe, concentrating on what is in the box. An assortment of pop corns and different toppings for it. An assortment of peppercorns too. He loves both popcorn and pepper, so it was a great gift. Joe's been a part of the family for about eight years now. The kids have accepted him like his kids have accepted me.

Grand daughter Xoie and me doing our rendition of a Mexican dance..to the music that was playing. We giggled and said Ole! She's someone who I have such a good time with. She always makes me laugh. Her dad, my son John, is sitting next to her. John is the father of my four grandchildren. He adopted the girls when he married and then they had the two boys. We waited so long for a grand child and then when our youngest got married...he gave us four. He's a very good dad. He's been involved with his kids right from the beginning.

This is the other side of the table. Josh, who is like a member of our family. He's the kindest person that I know. He really fits in with our crowd. We enjoy his company. Then comes Tyler my grandson. He's a fun loving kid and just about ready to have his wings clipped and get his driver's license.He is interested in the arts and has been in a singing group and he's been in lots of plays in school. It has been so much fun to watch him grow up. Then comes daughter LA. She has a home in DC and one in WI, so we see more of her now. She's a special girl. Also very fun loving. I think that I keep thinking of fun...when I describe my family...well I guess that's the way we are, but when there's a problem we rally around and show our love for each other.

Coming around the table is Collin, my other grandson. He's such a kind kid. Loves nature and animals. I wrote about his gardening in another post. He always talks to me about my plants and pets. I was sitting so far away from him that I really didn't get a chance to talk to him much. I can remember a story about Collin and Joe. Joe and I had just met...it was Easter time and we went to Collins house to visit. Joe told Collin that the Easter bunny hadn't left him anything. Collin looked so sad. He went upstairs and came down and handed Joe a quarter...so Joe would have something for Easter.

Then comes Syd and John and Xoie and then me. It looks like I got all the presents by this picture. My oldest son Tim and his family couldn't be with us. They have a family member who is sick and had other obligations. We missed their company. So as the pictures tell the story...we all had a wonderful time. No one wanted dessert, however, I could go for some dessert right now..

Balisha

PS...I thought that I would mention the restaurant's name..Dos Reales in Rockford, Illinois. We came in and they sent us to a room that had many other diners.They put the tables together (even though I had made reservations) and then the wait staff kept hopping by with drinks and extra bowls and everything to make our meal perfect.Our food was made so promptly and delivered piping hot. The food was delicious. Everyone really enjoyed what they ordered. We had so many gifts to open...they never made us feel rushed and just kept refilling our pop glasses. It's really a pleasure to go to a restaurant and feel comfortable like this.