Christmas 2008, Parts 2 and 3

This has been a great holiday!

Saturday afternoon, we had friends stop by from Virginia. Terre (a commenter here) and I first met back in June 1975 when we were at Buckeye Girls State together. We were in the same city, in rooms across the hall from one another. We found out that we lived only about 45 minutes away from each other. We wrote letters back and forth when time permitted (WAY before email!) but lost touch. A newspaper article in our local paper brought us back together over a year and a half ago and we've stayed in touch ever since. She had married and had four children in five years! Ironically, she had her first child THE SAME DAY I had my first child! Although she and her husband have lived all over the place (he was in the Navy) they have been in Virginia for quite a while now.

Terre, her husband Rus, along with her oldest and youngest children, were coming to visit her family and stopped by to see us. We had such a nice visit! I can't believe I didn't get out my camera though.

** Note to Terre: next time you're here, please remind me to take pictures!!!!

Although this is only the second time we've met Rus, he is one of the easiest people in the world to talk to! It's like we've known him forever. He's so interesting too. Terre married a great guy! Rus is fortunate too, because he married Terre...she is a wonderful wife and mother. Together they've raised terrific children and it's so evident that the kids all respect, love and admire their parents. That's not easy in this day and age, but it's so clear that the whole family has a fantastic relationship!

We talked and talked and talked (gee, that's a shock) and before we knew it, several hours had gone by. It really only seemed like minutes, I swear. Terre is a teacher, so there are always school stories to share, and Rus works for the Navy now and has great stories. Alexa is in her senior year in college and is such a strong woman (it comes from her mom), and Trevyn has this knack of being able to say exactly what we're all thinking, in addition to a great sense of humor.

We had such a nice time, and can't wait to see them again!

On Sunday we got together with Ted's family to celebrate the holiday. I found my camera, buried in the bottom of my purse.

Alex, the big AC/DC fan, has had an influence on his young cousin Michael.

Alex can't seem to be anywhere near a guitar without picking it up, and strumming a few bars of some rock and roll song floating around in his head. Joe doesn't quite appreciate music in the same way.

Ted's brother, Tim (affectionately referred to as U.T. - for Uncle Tim) always liked Burger Chef when he was younger. Unfortunately Burger Chef met its demise, much to Tim's chagrin. When Patty (A.P.), his wife, and daughter Holly, were going through some stuff in their attic, they came across an item that just screamed Tim's name. They wrapped it and gave it to him yesterday. He was thrilled, to say the least.

No one can recall where this hat originally came from, but we all got such a hoot out of it....even Michael!

Ted's sister, Peg, found it much more amusing than Joe. He was just thinking, "It sure doesn't take much to amuse this older generation, does it?"

It's so entertaining to watch a child open gifts...obviously Michael liked this stuffed bear. The book Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? came with it. Hey, what do you expect from a reading teacher?? Relax, we also got him other things.

Our niece Holly was there. She lives and works in the Cleveland area, but always makes it "home" for things. Isn't she gorgeous??

It's always nice to see family and friends during the holidays!