Saturday, December 31, 2011

Renovation Project and a Great Show

We are in the process of a kitchen renovation project. We are updating the look through the use of paint....cabinets and appliances are staying. This was something we had anticipated doing a year ago. Now that our house will be sold in the approaching year, we needed to get the process moving along. Hubs had some days off so moving along, we are! Look what he found under the 70's wallpaper.....

This list is the Witmer children
along with their birth dates

Our parents names.
I guess we must have done the last kitchen reno in 1980
(my parents bought this home in the 60's)

My sister Jeanie had 3 children in 1980

We were a family of 4!

Lovely, isn't it ;o)



Dirt and dust everywhere.
Hubs is sanding again this morning.
Hopefully we will soon be ready for primer.
Everything will be painted.
************************************
Last evening Ellen and I,
 along with my sister Mary Ellen
and my cousin,
went to American Music Theater
to see their Christmas show.
WOW!!!
It was fantastic!
Their shows always are.
Two of my favorite performances were
Mary did you Know....
 by Wess Cooke (he's fantastic no matter what he sings)
and
O Holy Night....
by one of the ladies.
Talk about chills!
There was some comedy,
kids,
a bunch of Santa's,
penguins!
Beautiful costumes,
 a fantastic band....
sets that were breath takingly beautiful.

Ellen and Mary Ellen

Beautiful decorations



After the show we headed across the street
to Cracker Barrel.
What a great evening!

American Music Theater
Photo taken from the parking lot of
Cracker Barrel.
Love, love, love the blue trees!

This morning I'm taking down the Christmas tree. Feels way too soon. But with the kitchen torn up, I need the space! Plus, dust seeps into this room which is collecting all over the tree and all the ornaments on it. Uggg! Oh well, I think the worst will soon be history.

Ellen and I go see Hairspray today. Two shows in as many days. That's a first!

We are going to stay in tonight. TV will be our entertainment. Ellen has two new movies too. Maybe we will watch one of them.

Happy New Year! 

Thursday, December 29, 2011

This Week.......

More photos from Sunday and Monday.....

The kids at church blessed us with a short cantata. I took these photos with my phone so the quality is not great.

They did an awesome job!

Zoe gets a closer look =)


My sister invited the local Witmer's to celebrate Christmas at her house on Monday. Not too many of us are 'Local' anymore!

My sister Mary Ellen,
my brother Dick and his wife Nancy

Grandma Mary

Dale and Ellen

We enjoyed a great meal, Nancy, Mary Ellen, Mary and I played a great Domino game, Dick and Dale took a snooze and Ellen enjoyed a movie (Dick and Dale enjoyed it too, I think!).

On our way home we asked Grandma Mary if she had seen our two favorite Christmas light displays. She had not, so first we took her to the Burkholder farm then to the light show off Pinch road.



This light show set to music is outstanding.
Ellen is crazy about it!




This has been an unusual week so far. I don't need to babysit the Grands at all. Dale's work is slow this week. Since he had time at home, he started the kitchen renovation. The wallpaper is GONE! The walls are old rough plaster so he is covering them with spackling to smooth them before painting. Oh boy....am I ready for a lot of dust from sanding the walls, the cabinets, wainscoting??? 

Greta made an appointment to look for a wedding dress today. Maybe she will find 'The One'! Wedding dress shopping is loads of fun.

Ellen and I get to see the Christmas show at American Music Theater tomorrow night.....thanks to my cousin who had tickets, who called my sister, who thought of Ellen who loves music and offered 2 of the tickets to us! I always wanted to see this show =)

Then Saturday afternoon Ellen and I go see Hairspray at the Fulton. What a week!

I'm tempted to take down the Christmas tree today. I am never ready this soon. But the kitchen is all torn apart and some things need to be moved into the DR and family room. Taking down the tree would provide some much needed space!

Enjoy your day!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas 2011

Let the fun begin!
Thanks to my sister Mary Ellen,
we found this fireplace scene on TV
which added a festive touch.

Ellen loves her sweater dress and
movie from Greta

Greta loves the
PURPLE
hand mixer from Ellen!

Greta also loves this computer case
from Mom and Dad.
We later discovered a hot pink lining in it - cool!

How neat are these glasses
from Greta!

A mug of candy and
a gift card from his favorite hardware store,
Longenecker's,
from Greta

No need to put a name on this gift.
Greta knew that circles on the storage cube
meant it was hers!
There was a gift inside it....
PURPLE
Rachel Ray bowl set!

Ellen had no idea what she was in for......

Layers of paper...

Layers and layers of paper
and several boxes too =)

Yes, the gift!
A yellow (fav color) wallet and a note....
Tickets to see Hairspray at Fulton Opera House
on Saturday with Mom!

Our room was full with hungry peoples!

I was waiting for Ellen to take her fork out of her mouth
only to realize that Scott was posing with his fork and a
HUGE piece of chicken!!

Remember the Santa Snuggie from last year?
He added a hat this year!

Aidan and Paityn were sooooo
excited to give the
gifts they chose for each other.

Oh boy, Andrew is in for some work.
Christy had his name and wrapped his gift
completely in packing tape over wrapping paper!!

Aidan was sure his Spider Man mask
would help Andrew be stronger and
get the job done...

Yeah, it's working!!

Zoe discovers a treat.....

Who, me???

Nancy and Grandma enjoy some Brinley time.

After gift giving and dessert
it was time for
Now you Have it, Now you Don't.
Even Aidan and Paityn joined in the fun.
They loved stealing gifts from others =)
After everyone had all their numbers called,
it was time to see what we got.....

Christy discovered footed PJ's in her gift!!
We all laughed so hard we hurt!

How do I look?

Then Kim discovered the same in hers!
We  laughed so hard we hurt again!

I don't have pictures of my gift.
I chose it because it said
Merry Christmas on it.
(thought that was so nice)
Beyond the pretty paper
was layer
and layer
of newspaper
with duct tape over it creating a design.
Layers and layers....
Aidan thought I needed the Spidey mask =)
At last, I found a gift....
A Pin the Nose on the Reindeer game!!!!

We ended the day by watching Aidan's new Veggie Tale movie.

What a great day.
Family time - priceless!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

May all your dreams come true......

Immanuel, with us is God
Thank-you, dear God, for giving us your Son!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Almost there.....

Just a gift card or two to purchase, a gift or two to wrap and I'm done.

Cleaning, food to purchase, food to prepare, cookies to be baked. Oh my, I guess the busy will continue for a while longer!

Here's an interesting fact......we always eat on Christmas Day around 3:30. Christmas is on a Sunday. Sunday is a football day even though it's also Christmas Day. AND, the game of interest, Eagles vs Cowboys starts soon after 4! Should be an interesting Christmas Dinner. The football fans already picked the best viewing spots at the table. I have been warned that mashed potatoes may fly a-muck and cranberry salad may hit the ceiling as excitement during the game builds =)

Have a great day, my friends!
* oops, Marcy said we had it wrong (shows how much I know!!) .....the game is on SATURDAY!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Look Back 2011 - Part 2

Summer Fun in Nana's back yard!

Zoe cuteness =)

Ellen loves a Parade
Lititz 4th of July

Long's Park for the Patriotic Concert and Fireworks......
You will find us here every year...
been going for more than 20 years!
A rousing game of
Duck, Duck, Goose


Hot, hot, hot!!


Zoe loves the dirt

Aidan, the helper man

Ellen went to 2 weeks of camp
at Aaron's Acres.
She loved the dance class in the afternoon.

Family Vacation at Bethany Beach, DE........
What fun!!

Andrew celebrated his 16th at the beach

Ice Cream on the boardwalk

Relaxing!

Great times =)

Ellen loves the beach


Wedding dress shopping =)

Ellen's 17th Birthday.......
Happy Birthday to you!


Ellen and Ashley love to dance

On our way to see
Dance Explosion
at AMT....
a very rainy night but awesome show!

Loving her gift from Greta

Paityn's 4th birthday........

She loves the robe from Nana and Pop Pop

Happy Birthday!


The Flood of 2011

Ellen loves UDS cheering!

Beach Vacation #2
Avalon, NJ
with Corey, Christy, Aidan and Zoe.......




Beach Vacation #3
Girls Week-End at Ocean City, NJ......


We always have ice cream at the beach =) 


There will be a Part 3....see you soon!