New Year's Gathering 2013

 It wasn't quite as crazy as Hogmanny or being in Pasadena for the Rose Parade, but both children, their spouses and HRH the Grandbaby came to our house for food, fellowship, presents and a rollicking good time on January 1st.

Ms. HRH arrived wearing the dress I knit her for her birthday.  She apparently likes the way the skirt swishes.  But she also thought it was more fun to take OFF her dress and hang out just in tights and a top.

 She was our Christmas Elf package deliverer.  She definitely got the concept.  LOTS of books for Grandma and Granpa D!

 HRH making her acquaintance with her Hedgehog puppet.

 Son trying to figure out his "NEWTON" puzzle... named after the physicist, not the town.

 Aunt Cheri demonstrating the puppet potential.

 DIL Jan wearing her new knit hat.

 HRH, aka Annie Hall?, modeling her mom's hat.

 Wearing the hat AND discovering In The Night Kitchen.

 Aunti Cheri introducing HRH to Corduroy.  Oldies but goodies.

 HRH on the drafting chair near the kitchen reading about Mickey and the baking!

 If I didn't know better, I'd think she might be watching Spock. 

The phalanx of wind up toys was enjoyed by all, even if we never DID get all of them marching to the same drummer at the same time.

Halloween Spooks and Skeletons in the Family Closet

 

Darling Daughter and DIL went all out for a Halloween party for the young and young at heart.

 

 HRH the grand daughter was Tigger in the early afternoon, although she lost her head almost immediately.  Her Elfish Dad, while not feeling great, was present and accounted for.

 When the Tigger suit got too hot, the Wicked Cute version of HRH appeared.

 His Eminence was well behaved.

 Super-Girl 1 enjoyed being read to by His Eminence.

 My Ex and his wife came as Thing 1 and Thing 2.

 Things are never too exciting to skip reading a book.

 While few succeeded, and many were game, there was ample opportunity to bob for apples.  Macowns, too!

 

 

 The DIL was a champ!

 Brothers stood fast on the sidelines.

 Auntie Dubs and HRH gave it a try.

 

 The Elf and "Lance"

 Katy was a pro and even went back for seconds!

 Daniel preferred to fish his out by hand.

Mobster and Moll:  Jay and Jill

 The Bear and the Minion

 

 

 Merida and the Bear

 

 

 

And Ms. J turns 2

In spite of a stead drizzle of rain, playmates, their parents, the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins showed up to help Ms. J celebrate birthday #3.  She certainly seemed to have the hang of it!

 Mom helped with blowing out the candles on the Dora cake.

 Gramma G got her attention as the candles were arriving.

 Gramma and Granpa G seemed thoughtful... and maybe sad in anticipation of returning home to Indiana.

 Several of us were old enough to wonder what was going on if your house turned into a mushroom, magically.

 Mawmaw and Pawpaw provided a Tigger costume which was a big hit!

  Gramma and Granpa G seemed to think that we might have a future Indianapolis cheerleader in our midst!

 I was relieved and delighted that the ruffled dress I knit actually fits!  AND that Ms. J wanted to wear it.
I think she liked shaking the ruffled bottom.

Activities took a different direction after all the prezzies were open.  Knocking down the bowling pin monsters was a hit!


Cousin D needed a drink.

I think Mom felt her tiredness. She and Dad had done a fabulous job of preparing food, moving the party indoors and keeping everyone (from 18 months to 60+ years happy.

 Dad got silly and put on Ms. J's Tigger "helmet" as he and Mawmaw watched Uncle K put together a "Princess Car" from Auntie W.