Mon.-Did wash. Tidied up. Watched all of the Downton Abbey we have with Susan. Fever 100 in eve.
Tues.-Did wash. Watched Murder she wrote with Susan. Wrapped Hertzler and Diffenbach gifts. Made more caramel corn for Hertzler Christmas and caroling.
Wed.-Packed, tidied up, watched some Jessica Fletcher with Susan, went to see Dr. F. and got some alternative meds for lungs and throat, watched more JBFletcher with Phil. Michael, Susan, Philip, Jessica, Erik, April, Chace, and I am not sure who all, went to see Star Wars tonight after dinner at Macado's. It's been raining all day. Tomorrow, we'll start to use the leftover lumber around here to start building an ark.
Thurs.-Packed and cleaned and set off for Pa around 1:00. Unloaded at Joe's and changed a little and met the others right up the road and joined our family and friend's for our annual Christmas caroling in the neighborhood. It was great to see my nieces, nephews, in-laws, Boyers, Laws, and all of the people we sang with and for. We gathered back at Jim and Debra's for food, fun, and fellowship.
Fri.-Merry Christmas! Had a nice breakfast with Joe, Karen, and Jonathan. All of us are staying at their place including Jess, who shared the double bed with Susan. Apparently she checks people's faces while she sleeps to see if they have a fever. She fit right in with everything and everybody. We had lunch at Mom and Dad's. They can still get most of us in there. Usually one family is missing. I'm not sure what they'd do if we were all there at once. After lunch we enjoyed some time out in the warm sunshine. Philip reminded me of his Uncle Johnny. He ran around with a little cousin on his back and played tag with the rest of his cousins. Nathan enjoyed the bridge and the fish, Jackson the dog, and his little cousin and a half, Lydia. What a sweetheart she is. She banged her head and cried and Nathan ran into the house to tell his daddy all about it. He was holding his head and crying a little and communicated that he was feeling sorry for her. After we were outside for probably an hour, we went back in and read the Christmas story and sang songs. But first, we exchanged gifts. Later, Janelle and I walked back up to the field beyond the woods and talked and caught up. In the evening, the kids played board games and the grown ups sat around and talked and we all ate leftovers. I got to visit with Shirley, Debra's mother, for a little while, and that was one of my highlights of Christmas. What a wonderful family is this family. I love them all and appreciate the heritage they've preserved and passed on.
Sat.-Had a yummy breakfast casserole handmade by Karen. Michael, Susan, Jessica, and I, went to BB's and the thrift store. They went to Grandma's for a lunch of leftovers. Phil had a good time visiting with his brother Paul several times this weekend. He and Joe caught up too, when Joe was in from work. In the afternoon, I got a mac and cheese casserole ready for tomorrow and did a load of wash. Jonathan came over with Phil and I to visit his parents and around 4 we Diffenbach's left for my brother Abe's house for our family gathering. It took us awhile to get there because there were so many Amish buggies on the back roads. We had a great family time together, eating, talking, singing, playing Mafia, etc. Jessica loved her time there too. On the way to Elverson on Thursday, we had dropped off a quart of fresh oysters and our corn. Abie made oyster filling. Everything was wonderful. My niece, Kelly, and her husband Armand, and her children, Noah and Gracie were there too. She sat beside me at the adult table catching up. We got 'home' soon after 10.
Sun.-Nice leisurely Sunday morning. Church at 10. Worship was wonderful. You could hear the people singing around you. So many dear friends were happy to see us. After church, we had the Mast Reunion. Uncle Allen was there. We sat with family and friends and ate, talked, and sang. Dennis Mast was there, too. Phil was so happy to see him since we just missed the Christmas caroling at their place. Jessica felt so at home. For all of us, really, it was just a wonderful Christmas weekend. I love my nieces and nephews. And Phil's family and my family show their love in different ways but there IS love all around and we are rich and grateful. We headed home around 4 and got home around 9:40. Susan drove the last mile. She had a great Christmas too. Happy Birthday Dear Lord Jesus. We're so glad you were born.
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