The First Week of 2009 Behind Us... Already!

FYI: NEXT WEEK WE WILL POST OUR CHRISTMAS ALBUM INTO OUR DECEMBER 31st POST BELOW...

(Click on the photos above to enlarge them. #1Aly in the bath Christmas week /#2Aly at Nate's BD Party /#3Aly sleeping Christmas week)
It's hard to believe that we're already into the SECOND week of 2009! How time truly flies! We've had an exceptionally great Holiday season, even though a bit stressful at times! LOL
In the middle of December, little Aly became very ill with an infection, which wound us all up in the hospital on Friday night the 20th. She had become so dehydrated that the Doctor wanted to put her on IV's overnight. However, due to her dehydration, they were unable to find her veins... BUT GOD UNDERTOOK and 'aided' her Memaw and Mommy (with the help of Papaw that night and her Daddy the next morning) in getting fluid back into her little body. Without God (and Memaw!), I'm not sure what would've happened!
We then rushed into Christmas time... On Christmas Eve, Mama and Daddy hosted a 'Cajun' meal of Shrimp Creole' with all the fixin's. It was so fun to be able to 'pretend' we were once again in the good ole' South! The food was incredible, too!!! Thanks, Mama and Daddy for a great time and delicious food! The house was absolutely BEAUTIFUL and the trees were GORGEOUS, too!
Following that meal, we had everyone over to our home for a Dessert Bar. The menu included Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Pecan Tube Cake, Orange Slice Cookies, Party Mix, Nuts, Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa, Iced Vernors, Coffee with Peppermint Topping or a selection of Creamers and various Coke's. (Excuse me, for the non-southern readers, that would mean 'Pop'! LOL)
Christmas Day Morning, we had Gift time at our house with Aly, Memaw and Papaw. Aly LOVED opening her gifts, but as of now, she still prefers boxes, bags and paper! LOL Later that day, found everyone at Mamaw S's ("Who's") for a wonderful traditional Christmas meal and Gift opening. Another very meaningful day with those we love!
The day after Christmas, the Jewett side met together at Mamaw and Papaw's house in Dayton for Gifts and more food than the law should allow. We've been so very blessed on all sides of our family with a Godly heritage that we'll treasure always!
On Monday morning, the 29th, Greg went into work only to find out he was being laid off... indefinitely. Though this was and is not good news, we're believing God for a miracle and trusting Him to place Greg into the job He would have for him. These are very rough days and it would seem there are more ahead, but God is in control and knowing that, we are at peace!
The day after Greg lost his job, I was able to go to lunch with a dear friend and try to help her through a rough time and she in turn helped me! Later that evening, we were invited to our precious friends, "Uncle" Ray and "Aunt" Vickie's home for supper... it was not only very tasty, but Aly had her own nameplace and her own crystal goblet, too! She was a real Princess that night! Their home was also beautiful and very much in the Holiday 'spirit'! Friends are such a great thing to have, isn't God good to send us the 'gift' of family and friends? Where would we be without them???
New Year's Eve, Aunt Diane and Uncle Ron had everyone over to Celebrate the Old Year out and the New Year in... we were unable to stay through til midnight, but we enjoyed the time we spent there and were once again reminded what a 'gift' we have in our family! Their home was so pretty with more than 2 dozen trees to look at. Aly couldn't get enough and the fact all her cousins were there only made it better!
The next morning, we hit the road with Mama and Daddy to head toward Missouri and have a 'late' Christmas with Greg's side of the family. We had a great time there, relaxed as much as we could and TRIED to de-stress a little! (Don't think we accomplished that task, but we TRIED and that's the main thing! LOL) Mama and Daddy were able to go on into Kansas City and spend time with family and friends there and also had a very relaxing and fun time!
We are now home, mostly unpacked and trying to get back into our normal (if you want to call it that) routine! We wanted to update our BLOG before we had to write a BOOK to get it all in! OH WAIT! I think THIS is actually a book!!! LOL
Trust you've enjoyed the long read and we haven't bored you to tears, yet!
Have a great week and watch for our next weeks BLOG, plus the Holiday photos we will add to our Dec. 31st post...

A Breath of 'Southern Sunshine' on A Cool Fall Weekend

Here are a handful of pictures of Aly's Play-Day today...
http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/AlySPlayDayNov102008# Last week was pretty uneventful, except that we were busy getting ready for the upcoming weekend.
It was an AWESOME weekend, too... Some of our Louisiana family were able to come up for a visit and as ALWAYS we had a BALL!!!
We began on Friday evening with an all-Italian homemade meal at Mamaw S's. Spicy Chicken Spaghetti, an assortment of yummy Herb Breads and Breadsticks, Salads and the whole nine yards! YUUMMM... Following the meal, everyone came over to "Penn Place" for a Fall-Themed 'Dessert Bar'. Pecan Pie, Sugar Cream Pie & Apple Fritter Bread. With a choice of French Vanilla, Caramel Praline or Butter Pecan, (and Bunny-Tracks for the kids) Ice Cream. We had an assortment of iced drinks (including Vernors, of course!) and Coffee, too. My personal favorite items of the evening were the Coffee Creamers: Vanilla Chai Spice and Cinnamon Vanilla Cre'me!
On Saturday, we had lunch together at Steak-N-Shake... an Indiana favorite for our Southern family, before the ladies and gents split up for an afternoon of fun! The ladies found ourselves at 'Old Time Pottery' and for 3 entire HOURS, too! The men made their way to Gander Mountain and Dick's Sporting Goods for a couple of hours. Later that evening, we all headed back to Mamaw S's. for a COLD Cook-Out of Pork Steaks and all the trimmings! Thanks, to the guys who cooked out in that weather! It was well worth it, that's for sure!!!
We had a great Sunday, not only at Church, but a relaxing day with family, as well! Another delicious meal only made the day better! Roast, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Sugared Green Beans with Bacon, Cornbread, etc., etc. (I'll not even go into all the desserts we had available!!!) Why is it when humans have a 'get-together', we think food is one of the necessary items, in order to have more fun? In reality, though fun, food really only adds more and more pounds to one's body and what is fun about THAT? LOL
Today~ Aly and I were having a 'Play-Day', a kind of a normal day for us, of "School" and playing together, so we decided to take 4 or 5 pictures while we were at it! (I posted a link above.) This due much to the fact, that we didn't get ONE picture taken during the busy weekend... funny thing is no one had a camera all weekend! (Not even Ronda or Aunt Diane!!!)
Oh well! As you can tell, we had an excellent weekend, with our without a camera and only wished they could've stayed for a month or two!!! The time flew by, but they may make another trip North during the Holidays?!?!? (We certainly hope so!) Hey, ya'll... it really was a "Breath of Southern Sunshine" to have you with us! We are sorry it was so cold while you were here, though! That's all just a part of being in the 'Northland', I guess! We look forward to your next visit and PRAY that we'll be able to make a trip South again, SOON!!!