Christmas Trees and Nativity Sets

 Our church, St. Mark Presbyterian, had a House Tour of members' homes recently.  This year, we started with a brunch at church.  Welcoming everyone in our narthex area was this beautiful tree.

 But, we have lots of trees around---this one is our Christmas Card tree---donations are for the Children's Home in Farmington.

We have also recently added this beautiful nativity set---baby Jesus will appear soon.

The first home had this beautiful tree with crocheted ornaments done by the owner's mother.

St. Mark's House Tour

 This was the third year for our St. Mark's House Tour.  This time all of the homes were west of Clarkson Rd.

 First, many of us stopped by church for a brunch.

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Puzzle Pieces Christmas

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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

 Although we were at my sister's for Thanksgiving, it looked more like Christmas which Eli and Anna LOVED.

 Jane had three trees decorated, revolving with ornaments in motion.

 She also had one with beautiful glass ornaments in her room.

 She had her wagon decorated---"The Candy Cane Express".

 The kids really enjoyed watching the train,

the dancing animals,

 Riding the horses, but occasionally there was trouble in Christmas Paradise.

 Jane's little train was easily de-railed and not so easily put back on.

Sometimes it was just better to sit quietly with Uncle Richard and watch the train go by.  Thanks for hosting our Thanksgiving, Jane and Richard, even if it looked a lot like Christmas.

Texas Thanksgiving

 For the first time in years, we were able to spend Thanksgiving with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew-in-law.  Lynn and Leah did most of the side-dish cooking with Jane and Richard hosting and roasting the turkey

 We got to talk to our nephew Doug and his wife---we have shared many Thanksgivings with them when they lived in St. Louis.  It was great sharing the holiday and memories with them!

 Richard looks about ready to carve the bird---the side dishes are waiting!

 Yum!

 What's Thanksgiving without a little walk to make room for dessert?  Shortly after this photo, Anna slid into the pond.

 So, with a little help from her brother, we headed home to get her in dry socks.

 Uncle Richard was kind enough to share some of his socks with her.

 Like her cousin Roman, Anna wanted whipped cream for dessert!

And, the guys cheered on the Dallas Cowboys to a close victory!

Pre-Thanksgiving McKinney

 After a brief visit in Kansas City, we drove to McKinney, Texas to visit with Leah, Todd, Eli and Anna.  Above, Eli "warmed up" his cooking skills by making virtual doughnuts on my iPad.

 But, then, he and his mother got serious about baking---whipping up some Thanksgiving pumpkin desserts.

 Although Anna had her apron on ready to cook, it was mostly for show.  Her Aunt Reebs calls this her "Puss in the Boots Big Eyes" look!

 Thanksgiving Day, she was ready to PARTY! She channeled her great grandfather Lee by watching the Thanksgiving Day parade.  She could not stop those "happy feet" when the music and dancing started!

Pre-Thanksgiving Kansas City

 After arriving at the Lewis's, we joined them for a Thanksgiving Feast at their church Platte Woods Methodist.

"R" especially liked the whipped cream.  The next morning after worship service, he even piled it on his doughnut!

We played Mario with "R" (that's what he was for Halloween) who beat me royally.

 We went to Twenters where we found "D". . .

 and "B". . . .

 and "L" drawing herself, me and her mom. . . .upside down?

 The kids love when I bring my iPad with new games for them to play.

 But, "L" still enjoys shenanigans. :-)

She had brought home from school the secret tin---she needed to put something in that began with "R".  She chose a rock.  We had suggested that "L" put her mom in the tin, but a rock fit better.
  "R" and I got out for a little pre-Black Friday shopping.  Target had some sales, the store was empty and we were successful without being pepper sprayed or stampeded on Black Friday! 

Celebrity Eclipse

 I loved the ship we were on.  Someone said, "If you have to be on a ship for 8 days at sea, you want it to be this ship."  I loved how the bathroom had "night lights" on when the lights were turned off.

I wasn't the only one seen photographing the public bathrooms---the sink drains were all across the back of the sink.

 They had an iLounge with iPad help, Apple TV and even sold Apple products (reseller)

 The center elevator showed all of the beautiful lounges on each floor including a tree hanging in a ball which I did not get a photo of. Speaking of elevators, they were fast, quiet and the whole canopy lit up when one arrived---we never had to guess which elevator was for us.

 The dining room was elegant, and the Martini Bar was almost magical with ice everywhere.

 It was a very popular gathering place for many before and after dinner.

 The indoor swimming area had dancing water and solar panels.

 We had a wonderful waiter and fun dinner companions.

 Rhoda and Gary made us laugh every night when they put on their reading glasses with head lights. And, we had a beautiful table right near a window.

 There was  some very nice art in the hallways. And a Cirque d' Soleil-type show which was as amazing as the ice show we saw on the Royal Caribbean Navigator.

 The icing on the cake was the ship celebrating my birthday a day early (my birthday was disembarkation day).

Would we go on another trans-Atlantic---sure, if the ship and people were as nice as the Celebrity Eclipse!