A favorite number, I have a few, do you?

   Our Christmas 🎄 in July was great 👍 

These were my son's favorite numbers, I didn't know till he passed, 13 was his jersey number, 76 for the amount of goals in his first year in NHL. Teemu Selänne is his name, this was Christophers favorite player. I didn't know this till Chris had passed. 

When I borrowed the table from our neighbors for our Christmas celebration, I saw as did Polly the number 13, Chris's favorite number. Polly and I talked about it, I said I'd make a 76 and put it on the table too, for Chris. Later in the day, when my sister and Dan, and Shayla and Carl were here, Polly reminded me, asked if I made the number? Right away I went and made it, painted it, then sanded and put it on. 

I believe Chris and Memere were here with us, in spirit 🤗 ❤️

4:33 and the rooster 🐓 crows this morning, coffee ☕ is really good today, I'm really well rested, knowing I'll have a nap sometime today 😄.

Yesterday we had Christmas ⛄🎄 in July, was a request by my daughter Penny earlier this year. I'd never really thought of it, but like many in our family I did miss the celebration we had at Christmas with family & friends at Polly's Mom's, "Memeres" house. So when we started to get the "ball rolling" as the saying goes, Shayla our granddaughter was excited about it too. 

We put a message on Messenger, to everyone we thought may come in our family, then others started adding people, till we covered all family and friends like family we thought of. Was a good sized group, just like we would have had at Memeres place on Christmas Eve. 

       I made a Christmas family tree 

Some couldn't show, one person was sick, other than that we had a good amount show up on a very hot afternoon at  Arrowvale, and our site turned into Christmas 🎄. We had a couple trees, and decorations, Polly cooked a couple Chickens, and meatballs, Penny brought a ham, salads were brought by many, and gifts were brought to, some very thoughtful, some were really spofs. 

We sat in the shade of the cherry tree, in a big circle, and talked, no formal announcements, just a really nice Christmas get together. Some went for a swim, I had 4 swims yesterday myself, was really hot out. We started at 4, but Shayla and Carl came earlier, to get a longer visit as they were leaving early to go back to the range for a shotgun shoot. 

Looking back now we could have arranged it in a different location, the heat was really tough on some, but overall was a fun time, will hopefully do again next year.

Dinner was great, so much food, yet not too much leftover. Everyone was hungry, and the choice's were many.

Polly baked, I of course watched, as she was in her creative mode, I love watching, and licking the beater's 😋. This time Polly really did a good job on the cupcakes, only one left this morning. They were a hit! Someone once said that's how Polly gives love, through her food. I believe that to be true as I watch her create, then watch as others enjoy her creations. 

Graeylyn had many choices for dessert 

When we would go to Memeres place Christmas Eve there were many people, and many conversations in different rooms, but we'd all collect for the gift giving in the living room, by the tree. 

This time we did similar, but in a circle, around the tree, everyone picked a present, was a fun time, as always the rules about how you could pick a others present were clear to some, and unclear to other's 😂. After the rounds were made, and presents were distributed, and Graeylyn, our youngest here, got her present, and her Mom's present, we all opened with surprise all around. 

I had my present stolen twice, others seemed happy to stay with there pick, but most were really surprised at the gift. Not long after this the party started to breakup, Shayla and Carl left, then most were ready for exit. The few that were left sat inside our trailer while Polly did dishes, and yaked. Conversation was varied, politics came into it, as often does. 

I'm happy to not watch most the news about what's going on in the world, I realized that it just bothers me to watch, especially as there is nothing I'll do to change what's happening. 

This morning be a little bit of cleaning to do, mostly putting things away, was a fun time yesterday, I'm really glad we did it, thanks Penny for suggesting it. Thanks to everyone that came, and thanks to all that made the food, and provided presents for the gift 🎁 exchange. Was a really fun time. 

5:14, not a long story today, rooster 🐓 still givin-er. I'm going to drink my coffee ☕, and think of all we enjoyed yesterday. 

Love our life ❤️