Emmie's Blessing

Our newest grand baby, #15, was blessed in our living room last Sunday with 65 friends and relatives hanging from the roof top, or so it seemed. Craig and Tammy were here from Houston and took the opportunity to let us participate in Emmie's blessing. She was named Emilee Eliese Smith, her middle name after me, of course! What a cutie pie! She goes by princess or peanut...her two brothers think she is pretty great...

Craig and Emmie, after the blessing.

Yes, she's all girl...including the brain squeezer! You can tell that Tammy is enjoying their newest addition...

Ringing in the New Year

I wonder why it took almost 38 years of New Year's Eve's to quit the staying up till 12:00 habit? We had the best New Year's Eve last night. Lots of great food, the Wii for entertainment, and children running everywhere. Typical for our family. But the crowning event was the Martinelli's at 8:55 p.m., and four little grandchildren banging pots and pans at 9 p.m. sharp...New Year's somewhere, I'm sure. The children were happy, the parents were happy, and the grandparents were thrilled! House cleared out by 9:15 p.m.

The first all grandkid Nativity

The traditional nativity scene took place on Christmas Eve with an all grandkid production for the first time. Can I say the adults were thrilled? The first scene began with Joseph, Mary and the donkey...



The whole cast included Raven as King Herod, Sidnee the angel, Kenzie as Mary and Wyatt as Joseph. Somehow we ended up with three wise men: Mason, Tanner and Brittany and no shepherds! But of course there was Cooper as the donkey...Evidently our shepherds were in Houston this year...

When Santa Came To Our House...

It was Christmas Eve when our front door opened and in walked Santa Claus! Ho ho hoes and all! The eyes of our 12 grandchildren were huge with wonder, except for Halle's eyes which were huge with fear! They were mesmerized!

This was even too close for Halle! But snug as a bug in daddy's arms, with blankie in tow she watched from afar...

He sang Christmas carols with our family and held each grandchild on his lap...

Everyone joined in the fun to visit with Santa....












And family pictures were part of the fun!































Even Grandpa and Grandma sat on Santa's lap...

























Alas...it was time for Santa to go...but not without one last thought from Mason..."Santa, Santa? My house is 7044..." You know, just to make sure...

Houston Clan in the Nativity Scene

The Houston Clan, son Craig, wife Tammy, serious shepherds Nathan and Jeff...with new sweetheart Emilee pose in the Nativity Scene. A new addition for the holidays is just the ticket to play baby Jesus! And what fun to add buttons and bows to trucks and legos at the Smith home...

How to schedule appendicitis...

I never thought that I would have to schedule surgery for appendicitis, but last week I felt some pain in my lower right abdominal area. This is not a good place to feel pain, and especially if you have had two children who had their appendix ripped out...so off to the doctor I went thinking that a bladder infection diagnosis was in order. Little did I know that after peeing in the cup, my bladder was healthy and strong. The doctor ordered blood tests and a CAT scan, and off to the surgeon I went. This took about a week, and the receptionist at the surgeon's office was incredulous! What?? You want an appointment for appendicitis surgery? What?? We never do that...but she did manage to make me an appointment and three days later I was welcomed into same day surgery, my inflamed appendix neatly taken out and here I am on the road to recovery the week before Christmas!