FIREPLACE

This Christmas Pops and I bought an electric fireplace. This video show a reflection, but it is really wonderful. It throws heat and at night looks very real. Living in a condo its hard to get the "real feeling", but this really does the trick!!

K

NICHOLAS'S HOCKEY GAME

Pops and I haven't been to many of Nicholas's hockey games, but yesterday was a real bonus. It was a special championship tournament game in Walpole, and what a game! They smoked the other team and these boys can really skate. It was fast and skilled. I really enjoyed it. Great family support--- about 8 relatives going.

ANNIVERSARY

Twenty one years ago Dick and I got married on Cape Cod. Its been a wonderful 21 years with its challenges and excitement too. I wouldn't change a thing as we work together for a better life and a love relationship I never knew existed. Thank you Pops for being in my life and I hope I have enriched yours as you have mine. Looking forward to another 21! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 1988

AMANDA IN NET

Last night Pops and I went to Waltham to watch Amanda play hockey. When I got there I found out that she was going to be the goalie!! She really enjoyed it, and so did all of us that were there. Another fun night with grandkids.

CHRISTMAS DAY

The only pictures I took for Christmas are the three you see below. I don't know what happened to me, but the day got so busy I just forgot. Now, everyone knows how much I love my pictures, but with 15 people it just slipped my mind. Anyway, we had a great day with 7 children and 6 adults. Laura and Chris had an especially fun time laughing and poking fun. Thank you everyone for being so generous and making Christmas special. The cookies are gone - along with the fudge!!!

CHRISTMAS EVE

Another wonderful Christmas Eve at Danny and Dini's house. The only difference each year is the kids get older and so do we. The food is always good and the kids are excited and pleased with each thing they open. As you can see, their tree is huge and very pretty. Dick and I got great presents from the kids---books, throws, etc. Always fun and as usual good company. Thanks guys for a wonderful day. Oh yes, Gianna continued to entertain us!!!

Thanks for all the cooking. Dini, the lasagna was great.

Julia is taking acrobatics------ugh!! She could break

church pageant

Today I went to the practice of the Christmas pageant at the Unitarian Church in Weston. Matthew, Amanda and Evan were in it. Just a few cute pictures of their day.

Xmas party

Last night we had our annual Christmas Party of the Smith clan -- hosted by Bill and Polly. We all met a Davio's at Patriot Place for a wonderful night of laughs and reminiscence. The only family member that couldn't make it was AnnMarie who was sick. We missed her very much. Dinner was delicious, and the company devine! See you all next year for our get together, and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE SMITHS

Cookies

Last night Julia and Gianna came over to make cookies while Pops and Dini went to dinner and shopping. They had a wonderful time, but so did we. Sugar cookies were shaped and frosted with colored sprinkles on top. We had frosting everywhere. After our cookies were all done and ready to eat, we walked all around the halls asking people I know (and some I didn't) if they would like some Christmas cookies. After our adventure, we settled down to watch "A Year without a Santa Clause" Everyone was tired, full and ready to go to bed. I think we should do it every year !!! I should have taken pictures

Christmas Party

This past Thursday we had the "sisters & cousin" Christmas party at the condo.

It was a wonderful time with a lot of gifts for each other. I couldn't help but think what a wonderful time for the four of us. We only get together twice a year and as we get older ( and complain about our eyesight) the driving gets harder --especially for Susan and Marcia that drive the longest. We are still young enough to continue our parties, and I don't want them to ever end. We are certainly lucky to have each other, but I wish we lived closer. TONS of laughter, and reminiscing about the past and childhood activities. What fun! I am lucky to have sisters (including our only cousin) and wish all a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Putting up the tree

Today, Sunday, Avery, Mack and J came over to help me put up the tree. We had the best time! First we ate lunch which was Spaghetti, meatballs and rolls. Then we went down stairs and draged up the tree. The kids did the whole thing and even vacumed the livingroom rug. All that took quite a while, but we managed to fit in making chocolate chip cookies and watch some of the Polar Express. After we emptied the trash and ran the halls we went to the airport and watched tons of planes take off and land---even good sized jets. All in all a wonderful, wonderful day. I have had the best weekend and holiday with my family. I am a big believer in family and what we all get from our children and grandchildren. I am blessed.

giving thanks

Another year of family, turkey, mash potato, stuffing, pies, ice cream. We all had a wonderful time, and the cousins had a ball. Its so different when the kids get older and just play around and watch tv. Laura did a great job and I'm sure was very tired. Vic and Esther came with Paul. Vic is now 92 and she looks wonderful. Esther is 84, and ran a 5k road race before she came!!! Makes me want to start working out. After we ate, we all went outside for football, and there were a lot of stars! I love the holidays and now can look forward to Christmas. Think the tree will go up this weekend.

Stoping for a cigar before the dessert.

Having fun at the table.

Smith family Thanksgiving

Another year, another Smith Thanksgiving. It really does seem like yesterday when we had last years. It was alot of fun and as usual too much food. Gianna is learning to read and she read Dick &Jane to Pops. Pops also recorded "The night Before Christmas" for the kids. Everyone loved hearing his voice reading the "classic"

The Digiacomo famly at Halloween

Julia, Nicholas and Gianna also had a blast on Halloween night. The neighborhood had a big party at the end of the cul du sac, and all the kids gather for food and candy. They had a ball, and got so much candy they donated about 6lbs to the dentist "cash for candy" drive.

Halloween

I didn't get to go to Laura's this year for Halloween, but she sent me some pictures and I am sharing them with you, I love to see the kids go out for candy, but this year I was at a BC football game. I'm sure they had a great time.

The Wax museum

This past Thurs. I went over to Parmenter Elementary School to see Avery do her presentation of Amelia Earhart. She memorized a speech of facts on Amelia and wore an outfit just like her. It was WONDERFUL and she did a fantastic job. Good for you, Avery, I give you an A plus!!!