Busch Gardens at Christmas

Steve and I took John , Annette, and Seth to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg Va.  to see the Christmas decorations and shops.   Lots of nice gifts to be had in the Germany, French and Italian country areas of the Gardens.   Hot Chocolate, coffee and hot cider - delicious!
Ride to England area of Park.  It was very cold and got colder, but I like it this way at Christmas time.

Here is  pic of steve and I

Seth, John , Annette

If you enlarge, the trees will show up a little more

Shop in English country

will have more tomorrow in other areas of park.

Christmas with the family

Seth Baking Sugar cookies

Yes, my daughter and her family came in monday night to stay with us and left today.  I wish they could have stayed longer as always,  but was sure nice to have them here.   Seth helped bake cookies.  Annette was a big help in getting things ready for christmas day,  27 of us in all.   Lots of food and lots of cleaning up, especially with a broken dishwasher,  but Wanda and Donna took care of that.  They got things cleaner than any dishwasher could.  The deserts were so good.   Blueberry mold and pretzel salad that Robin made especially for John was soooo gooood.  Annette made the blueberry.  Coconut cake among others.
We went to Christmas eve service at Our Lady of Lourdes. Seth loved singing Christmas Carols.

My wish came true for a white Christmas

Some Christmas pictures around the house

I took a few pictures around the house of my decorations, I have more to post later.  This is sideyard fence with live greenery I cut from our trees,  santa and snowman waving in back.

click to enlarge

I bought this ornament from "Through the garden gate"

my kitchen window

German nutcracker, Annette bought me in Germany when she lived there in 2007 - he has rabbit fur for his beard and hair, the collar is cotton fabric.

Grandchildrens names - Jenn gave us last Christmas

My mom gave me "Old World Santa" 2 years ago.

My Wreath hangs in stairwell

Santa again

I made these cones to fill with - not sure actually

will post more later-

Christmas shopping

I was out shopping today and decided to stop in  Cracker Barrel.  I am glad I did.  Christmas items were mostly 40 to 50 percent off.   I bought this red glass candle  with the base gilded looking trees , I put a battery votive in it and will give as a  gift.   There were all kinds of beautiful ornaments.  The deals there are great and I am gonna go back tomorrow to pick up a few last minute items. 
I lke the candy bars wrapped in what looks like the 50's era paper.  Old fashioned candy.  A gift card is always good for a meal. 
I want to visit the Maymont house tomorrow,  there is a gift shop there. I like to shop for gifts that are different, not something I see everyday at retail stores.
Will let ya know how it went later.

Swags

I got the swags made for my windows and my hands are a little rough from the holly and pine.   I picked it from the trees in the yard.   I will put them in my windows tomorrow.

I can see my carpet will need a good cleaning

santa on mantle in den

the skirt under tree is one my sister Rachel crocheted.