"And that's when I know it's over. As soon as you start thinking about the beginning, it's the end." ~Junot Diaz

December 1 ~ a soggy beginning to this month (and end as it turned out)

December 2 ~ grandson Knox celebrated his 7th birthday with a Harry Potter themed party

December 2 ~ my sweet grandpeeps Shelby, Elijah, and Knox

December 3 ~ RIP #41

"Be bold in your caring, be bold in your dreaming and above all else, always do your best."

~George H.W. Bush 

December 12 ~ Ella the elf

December 13 ~ Merry & Bright

December 16 ~ Some of the thickest fog I think I've ever seen

December 16 ~ daughter Holly celebrated her 40th birthday

December 16 ~ celebrating Holly's 40th at Red Lobster ~ with Knox, Elijah, and Shelby ~ the wait staff sang The Birthday Song to her and served up ice cream and chocolate with some extra spoons to share

December 19 ~ Ella the candy cane

December 21 ~ Ella the reindeer

December 22 ~ late afternoon on Broad Street

December 22 ~ Knox and Grandpa at Poet's playing a video game online together

December 22 ~ I sneaky snapped a pic of my niece Julia with her friend at Poet's ~ nice smile, Julia

December 23 ~ Sunday lunch at El Tapatio with granddaughter Shelby, grandson Elijah, and daughter Holly

December 23 ~ daughter Kelly, grandson Knox, and granddaughter Ella ~ I borrowed this selfie from Kelly

December 24 ~ my Christmas grandpeeps in reindeer gear ~ Ella, Shelby, Knox, and Elijah

December 26 ~ watched the Christmas tree light/music show in Dogwood Park ~ borrowed this pic from Kelly's Snapchat

December 26 ~ Not sure if Ella got to see much of the light show ... the music was really loud so she couldn't get too close ~ she was snug as a bug in her stroller on this chilly night

December 26 ~ some local businesses sponsored this carousel in the park near the big Christmas tree ~ free for all the kiddos who wanted to hop on and ride as many times as they wanted 

December 26 ~ the day after Christmas at Wal-Mart ~ when we walked into the store, I told Neil that I'd bet the Valentine candy would already be on the shelves

December 27 ~ nine foot fake Christmas tree back in the box

December 27 ~ the struggle is real wrangling that tree back into the box ~ that thing bites me every year, same hand, same scratch

December 29 ~ another late afternoon on Broad Street

December 29 ~ this kid loves her bouncy chair and the fun mobile her Aunt Holly gave her for Christmas

December 31 ~ saying so long to 2018 and wishing everyone a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR!