we thank you SO much . . .

for our amazing Christmas presents -

This gift was given to us by Schuy, Whit and Bodin. I was totally surprised by this gift as I wrote about it in this blog. I saw the book in a bookstore in Sun Valley and fell in love with it! It's called "WISDOM" and it's a very thick and a big book crammed with WISDOM from people over 65 years old - from all over the world.
#1 The book is mostly monochromatic - but occasionally there is an amazing splash of color
#2 Andrew Wyeth - an American artist - one of the world's most collectible, living artists
#3 Clint Eastwood - an American actor / Whit also gave me a chic (red, cause I'm hot!) wallet and makeup bag - Love!
#4 Jane Goodall - English - noted for her work with chimpanzee society
#5 Title page of the 12" x 12" book.
If you get to Barnes and Noble, seek this book out and take a look - I think you'd find it interesting.



#6 Ty and Nic sent an awesome BOX of goodies: big container of chocolate/caramel pretzels and a huge selection of chocolate/carmel goodies - it was so big and delicious and well, I'll be running on the treadmill for the rest of my life! Only our family can guess who probably picked this gift out!!!!!!! (This is a huge family joke!) Thank you guys - such a wonderful, festive gift for Christmas and all the way from Reno! I have to confess that I shared much of it with everyone and still had a ton left.

#7 Brian and Heather gave us an amazing potpourri of gifts. What you see pictured is a 'treasure' (for me) as it has everyone's (in the family) birthdays and anniversaries laminated - the dates and names have been removed to protect the innocent!!!! Then, Heather made the most amazing CD with tons of pictures on it set to music - one of those things that make you cry and cry just watching it! It's priceless and I'm sure took her tons of time to make! I'll treasure it forever. THEN, she made some sugar coated almonds (the kind you pay a fortune for in the mall) with the recipe included.

#8 Ahhhhh, Polish Pottery! What more can I say? I love this stuff - I shouldn't call it stuff as it's super-expensive! I'm gradually collecting them. I've never seen a platter with handles so, that was a super-sweet surprise. I love, love, love the pattern - so happy! My family doesn't realize how much I use it and how versatile it really is. As long as you don't drop it - it'll last a life-time. Since I'm of Polish decent, it has special meaning to me. Thanks so much, you guys, for choosing such a personal gift.

#9 Okay, if you come to visit, don't think about borrowing this blue, cuddly blanket! It's huge - covers a queen-sized + bed with ease. We already have a feather comforter on our bed but with our -24 (and colder) degree weather, it just doesn't cut it - but with this 'blue-baby' it's perfect. Leah and Cameron were so kind when they gave us this 'lovely'! Thanks, you two!

#10 This book is a treasure, for sure! Shawn and Kandee gave us this keepsake of their family with tons of gorgeous photos of their family. Kandee's sister is a pro photographer and took loads of family pics this fall and included them all in this beautiful book. I'll treasure it forever - okay, that's a long time - till I die! Thanks for the great gift of family, you guys!

#11 Grif and Katrina sent this gift full of food, food, food - breakfast food, to be exact! It literally fed our family on Christmas morning and beyond!!! In fact, we're still eating some of the English muffins. These yummy goodies came in a huge tower of boxes tied by a bow. How fun it was to open each box and peek inside and hear "Yummmm!" Cinnamon rolls and jam were gone Christmas morning, cakes gone by New Years and English muffins (there were tons) totally gone yesterday!!! Seriously, it was a years-supply of food - sooooo delicious.

Thanks EVERYONE for making our Christmas so special with your THOUGHTFUL gifts. You know, there's some wisdom in having (7) kids - haha!!!!!!