"In Search of Our Christmas Tree & Memories".....

So sorry to have been away from blogging for far too long! I have so missed chatting & sharing thoughts with all of you!....Here it is the most exciting time of year & I haven't been blogging at all?....Well, I am happy to say that I am back & so very ready to visit!
I am sure many of you have your "trees up & your cards sent", however here at our house that is not the case!....In fact, tonight we are going Christmas tree shopping!.....This year, we have had quite the debate....fresh tree or fake??....Growing up it was always a real tree. Going to tree lots & choosing a tree was one was one of the highlights of the holiday season!...
After marrying & moving to Southern California though, it seemed a fake tree was a smarter choice, so for years that's what we've done!....and happily!....there is something very nice about a pre-lit, tree with adjustable branches!
This year though, and maybe it has something to do with having a 6 year old grandson....Returning to the local tree lot to choose a Christmas tree, just seems to be the right thing to do!....I find myself wanting Andrew to experience how fun it is to wander a tree lot at night, with strings of tiny white lights & lots of stars guiding you. Row after row we would walk, pulling out one tree after another... deciding which was straight enough, full enough, tall enough.

And then after the chill of the air was beginning to help make our decision for us, we would choose our beautiful tree & take it home.
In the days that followed, our tree would be dressed with "glittery balls & thin strands of tinsel"...... I would sit & admire that tree night after night, curled up in a big wing-back after my evening bath...the enchantment of it all almost to overwhelming for one little girl.
Those are my memories.
So with these thoughts in mind, I am hoping that my grandson will grow up with similar remembrances.....& his grandson after that...& so on.
Happy tree hunting......

heidi
xo

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"Nini-Andrew Nights".......

Tonight was "Back-to-School Night", at my grandson Andrew's school. After his parents left to attend, & hear what his teacher has planned for the year, Andrew & I began our little evening together.
Even though we all live under one roof, sometimes it is rare to have this "one-on-one" time. And for Andrew & I it has been awhile. He has "guy nights" with Papa ( my husband), fun outings with his Auntie "NumNum", (my daughter Mallory),..... & lots of time with myself, my daughter Holly & I...but not too much with just Andrew & "Nini" (me).
This evening we had strict instructions from mom, to make sure I had Andrew in bed on time, something that proves a bit difficult to achieve when dinner, showering & reading stories is on the agenda.
We sat down to a simple meal of macaroni & cheese, bread & butter triangles & orange slices....along with a tiny bowl of peanut-butter cup ice cream. I insisted sitting at the kitchen table, since we have been working hard on learning good manners. Even though sitting in front of the T.V, would have been Andrew's choice,.... once I mentioned setting the table, he was all about it!....Soon place-mats had been retrieved, napkins were folded & milk was served in tall water goblets......and oh! what deliciously good manners & conversation we had!
We discussed the movie " Matilda", & made plans for eating pizza & watching it on Friday night. We talked about how much we both love Parmesan cheese & how it elevates Kraft macaroni to a whole new level!....and we discussed how some children don't believe in Santa Claus, a direct result of discussing the premise of "Miracle on 34th Street". We both agreed it was the silliest of notions!.....no Santa?....please?.....and we debated the reasons we both love gardening while mommy just doesn't understand our need to get our hands dirty.
We had the nicest dinner, just the two of us, chatting & eating. During the meal, I happened to mention that when my daughter begins nursing school, sometime next year..... we will have lots of "Nini-Andrew Nights"......Andrew finished chewing his food, ....looked up at me, smiled & sweetly said...
"I love Nini-Andrew Nights"!.....I smiled back & said....."me too".

Heidi XO

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A Wedding To Remember....

This last Saturday evening my grandson Andrew made his official debut as "ring bearer"!....As his "Nini", I was completely overwhelmed with how handsome he looked dressed in his tux, patent leather shoes & deep purple boutonniere. When did my "grand baby" turn into this darling young man?......

The evening was a very special one for our family! Andrew's father Chris, married the most lovely lady, his fiance,..... "Miss Kelly". The two of them said their vows surrounded by large oak trees & winding paths.... with all the people they love looking on.

As the ceremony ended, Chris & Kelly strolled to where we were all waiting, to be introduced for the first time as "Mr. & Mrs"....... They were simply beaming..... & truly were the perfect couple!

Congratulations Kelly & Chris!....We are so thrilled you have found each other! Wishing you all the happiness you both deserve......Love you, Heidi XO

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