The Manger Scene

Those of you who have been following the battle between Christmas verses Thanksgiving, East Coast challenging West Coast be sure to check out the Manger Scene on Matt & Jaime's blog........you can find their link on the right side of our blog under friends and family.

Happy Thanksgiving, from the East Coast!

This year I had to work the day after Thanksgiving soooo, I had dinner with the kids on the East Coast and Loren had dinner with the West Coast kids! Who would have ever thought! Glad we could all be together in a funny sort of way! God cares even about the little things! It has been a year full of many blessings!

The East Coaster's had deep fried turkey..................ummmmm

It was great!

Preparing for a early dinner.



A little Christmas china!

The girls were quite hungry!

Loved the smiles!

Emily couldn't wait!

After lunch Nana had to head back to Baltimore to go to work in the morning.............

but she'll be back on Sunday!

Matt, Jaime, Mya & Emily in Buffalo, New York

Shopping for Christmas gifts...........

It was freezing cold, Emily's cheeks were always rosie!

A stop at McDonalds

The truck was full.....time to go home!

A little on the tired side.

I loved her laugh!

"Polar Express" in 3-D and popcorn..........

Nana loved the movie too!

Snuggle time.........

After bath time..........matching p.j.'s

Emily loved the stairs.......................

and the pots & pans

Mya loved her Cinderella doll.

Mya had to show Nana how to turn on the t.v. while mom & dad were gone!

Auntie Kate Arrives!

It was snowing like crazy as we drove to the airport to pick-up Auntie Kate. She will spend a few days in Buffalo before heading back with Mom to California while she is on her winter break from College.

Mya was so glad to see her...........

She was full of stories, couldn't believe Auntie was coming to, Her House!

Gingerbread House, Pies & Games

Auntie Kate and Mya had fun making a gingerbread house.................

A masterpiece!

while Jaime and Nana made pies.

Thank-you Auntie Kate!

After all the cooking.....................and the kids were in bed.................

it was time to play games!

Fresh Snow & The Mother of Jesus.......Mary!

Much to my disappointment on Tuesday it rained all day washing all of the snow away! I was soooooo bumed! When Mya woke me up Wednesday morning to get warm clothes to dress her with, I walked past a window and was pleasantly surprised to see that everything was white..........it had started snowing during the night and snowed all day long as we did our "Holiday" baking! How cool!

The barn in the back yard is where the "Manger Scene" was filmed. Pretty authentic, huh? And pretty COLD too!




The first one up must re-kindle the fire...........

Mya was pretty impressed with Nana's ability!

It was so cold, the cat jumped in bed with Emily. Emily not being a morning person like Nana wasn't too impressed!

Mya decorated baby Jesus Birthday Cake.

We're wondering when the "Childs Actor's Guild" will be signing up all of the Warta grandkids!

The lamb had a hard time with her costume!

Baby Jesus has been around for a long time............look familure Sarah?

Enjoying The Christmas Spirit!

After my visit with Katelynne in Albany on Monday, I flew back to Baltimore, got up early Tuesday morning and flew to Detroit Michigan where I rented another car, set my GPS in place and took off for a two hour drive to Napoleon Ohio, to visit Zeke, Sarah & Joe! It was a beautiful drive with alot of snow along the way.

Sorry West Coast family, I think it's the lack of cold weather that doesn't allow one to enjoy the spirit of Christmas! How can it not feel like Christmas when there is snow on the ground, the high for the day is mid 30's and everyone is playing Christmas music! With the excitement in the air Zeke, Sarah & Nana went Christmas shopping! It was great, complete with Zeke's little red nose as we stroll down the street!

Zeke loved showing Nana what he wanted for Christmas!

Even in the car we had to stay bundled. Zeke loved the Christmas wrapping paper.