It's GRANDStime (no, it's not about biscuits)

This past week I had a little gathering for my grandchildren. I refer to them as my GRANDS so it seemed fitting to call it "GRANDStime"...when I sent a message regarding this to my daughter in law, Mrs. Natalie she happened to be skypeing with Tyler and she asked him why I would be having a get together about biscuits. He reminded her that I call my grandchildren "GRANDS" ... we have had a good laugh about that.

The girls arrived and played together, we made a craft project (reindeer ornaments for my tree), each made our own pizza and played some more. I also wanted the girls to come over to see my Christmas decorations. 

Aly & Mia both told me right away how absolutely beautiful the decorations were and they LOVED

that the Christmas tree spins around! :)

{{{Both girls after this Nana's own heart!!!}}}

I love their pretty matching Gymboree dalmatian outfits!!!

Precious baby Liza ~

Aly & Mia enjoyed another Craft favorite for an appetizer ~ Chili dip! YUM!!!

Making ornaments for Nana's tree ~

That's my girls ~ adding Washi tape to reindeer!

Love these 3 little darlings!!!

Saylah had so excited and had so much fun being {as she said} a pizza cooker with Mia & Aly!!!

My favorite part was when Mia said she would like to have macaroni & marshmallows on her pizza... we figured out she meant peppersoni & mushrooms!!!

Granddad had the best time too at GRANDStime!!!

I will say we do love GRANDS biscuits in the Craft home...
We love GRANDStime a million times more!!!

Cousin/Sister {+Michele} Christmas luncheon

Many of you know I used to be a caregiver for the most wonderful lady and during my years of caring for her became quite involved and attached to her amazing family! Her family spent many hours with their mom, grandma and aunt and so consequently I spent many hours with them. Her grandchildren and I became the best of friends! I remember {secretly} wondering if our friendship would remain as strong after their Grandma passed away but I had nothing to worry about!  Our friendships have not only remained but grown stronger and I look forward to many years and cherished memories ahead.

One of my most favorite events is a Christmas luncheon held by her granddaughter Cami. It is a cousin/sister lunch and I was invited last year. It was truly beautiful and perfect in every way. I did not assume that I would be invited this year so when I received my invite
 I WAS ECSTATIC!!!

The luncheon was the day before a big Christmas show 3 Craft Chicks participated in so that meant a big day of set up!  Did that stop me? NO WAY!!! I went up to Southhill and dropped off my "stuff" and did alittle bit of unpacking and then hopped in my car and headed out to Liberty Lake to Cami's. Got to Cami's and was immediately transported into her
WINTER WONDERLAND!!!

Pretty PINK Christmas decor ~ so lovely!!!

Just absolutely love me my Cami!

YUMMY FOOD ~ Spokane Club Salad & their Grandma's bean salad

Their Grandma's {delicious} chicken casserole ~ such comfort food!

Their Grandma's one of a kind cheesecake ~ served on Fostoria dishes

Flocked tree with Cami's grandma's pink ornaments

The start of Cami's wonderful SANTA collection!

The BIG Tree ~ glass & old world Christmas ornaments ~ so pretty!

Pink kissing ball

 The SKATERS ~ a  favorite that had been her Grandma's!

Asian themed tree ~ love!

Skiier ornament tree {all ornaments given by her Grandma through the yrs.}

FRIENDS FOR LIFE! Kathy & Cami ~ love them bunches!

LOVE!!!These 3! Watch out when they are together!

Dani, Terri, Rachael, Kathy, Cami & Shelly ~ COUSINS & SISTERS!

Gathered around the table!

Lovely aluminum tree with beautiful shiny brite ornaments!

Can you tell how much fun we were having? Laughed so hard that day!!!

LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!!! for SURE!!!

Perfect & beautiful tablescape!

Felt stocking made by Cami's grandma years ago...!

Family heirlooms are the best!

Orange felt stocking made by Cami's mom when she was little!

Love this vintage church!

THIS IS MY FAVORITE!!!

This was Cami's Grandma's and the years I cared for her, I helped her put out her Christmas decor! I loved every single thing however this was at the tippy top of my most favorites list!!! I love how this family "does" Christmas ~ like how I "do" Christmas! All the grandchildren have inherited beautiful decorations and family heirlooms and continue to carry on traditions that I KNOW their Grandma would be most proud of!!!

Cami said she would understand if I couldn't have come due to scheduling conflict however there was no way I was going to miss this event! I don't ever want to loose my spot at it! :)

Can you even imagine my surprise when I got a Christmas calendar card in the mail? She used the picture with me in it...I was so humbled and honored!
It made me start crying!!!

This is such an extraordinary group of women that I'm blessed to be part of!!!

Ringing in the NEW YEAR with family & friends

When we decided that Scotty would come and live with us, the first thing he asked me is what we do for New Year's Eve...he hoped we had a BIG party!!! Soooooo...party we did!!!

It was so much fun!!!

Party hats, noise makers, food & games = good times!!!

Saylah & I getting practiced up for the party!

New Years Eve Party made for one HAPPY Scotty!!!

My sweet little family~ beginning another new year together!!!

A little santa and a little sparkle = LOVE!!!

Lauren, Austin, Melody & Neal {Austin's parents} ~ had so much fun!

We played the silliest game...Quelf...haven't laughed so hard in a long time!!!

Enjoying being together!!!Melody, Neal, my mom JonElla & Scotty

It's the sweetest thing ~ Saylah plays with this particular nativity for the longest time!!!

When Glenn arrived, Saylah screamed..."MY GLENN, MY GLENN IS HERE"!!!

Love celebrating New Years with my precious friend Jenn!!!

PARTY! PARTY! PARTY!

Oh my sugar pie ~ just melts my heart!!!

Scotty LOVES making popcorn with his new popcorn machine! YUM!

Happy soul! Glenn Kelly ~ he's just the best ever!!!

Saylah was so smitten with Nathan all evening!!!

Let the countdown begin...

pretty pink bubbly ~

Austin & Lauren ~ Happy New Year!!!

When the clock struck midnight!!!

Scotty was very happy with how the WHOLE party went!!!

SOOOOO....after the party was ALL OVER Scotty asked me what the next holiday was so that we could start planning another party!!! :) He realized promptly the next one is VALENTINES!!!

Now everyday he says..."We better be planning for our BIG Valentines party"!!!

{He doesn't know that I'm a last minute lucy when it comes to party planning...}