Countdown to New Year's Eve

As you may or may not know, the Terrills consider New Year's Eve the family holiday. Not sure why - it's just been the time we could all be there together - at least the early part of the evening. And of course, once we started the New Year's Eve predictions, you just didn't want to miss the reading of them from year to year!

Hannah, Robbie, Phoebe, and David went to see Sherlock Holmes, and I took Agnes grocery shopping - and then we got the boys and went to lunch at Wendy's - followed up by a great visit to the Monrovia Library Children's Library - and some DVD choices!! Then we browsed the Friends of the Library Bookstore and made some super deals!!

It was a gray, rainy day - Agnes avoided napping, Calvin enjoyed his retro Batman movie,

Grandpa got work done,

Henry had finished his Harry Potter book, so hit the games on the computer,

and Karl snuggled up in front of the fire with a good textbook!! (Previously Grandpa did some marshmellow roasting with Calvin!)

Robbie, Hannah, and David did dinner - a delicious respast of homemade pizza, hot artichoke dip, and salad. These guys are good!! Phoebe did some "traveling"and visited with old high school buddies and roommates.

Matt and Eliza arrived around 9 - the kids were asleep in the car - transferred pretty well - we'll let you know how the night went!!

I'd say everyone was catching up, but it looks like Robbie and Dad are "reading" their phones!!

That's Matt in the striped shirt.

Hannah was put out at me for turning off the light - to take a picture without red-eye!!

It's off to bed - early a.m. tomorrow for the morning workout at Santa Anita - and breakfast at Clocker's Corner! If the rain goes away that is!!

Bowling Day as the Terrill Family Holiday Celebration Continues

Since it was Tuesday, we headed out for the bowling alley - Tuesday is Bargain Day!! Prior to that, Phoebe, David, and Hannah indulged in Taco Lita. Robbie and I had leftover Potato Soup!!

Good form Hannah!!

It's hard to decide which green ball is yours!

There were about 2o of us - we used 3 lanes. I think Dad was high scorer - although Robbie had 2 strikes.

Baby Harry got right into the spirit of things.

Watching the scoreboard!

Good job!! Dad, the ultimate cheerleader!!

I managed to round up 5 of the 8 grandkids who were there for a group photo.

When Annika got tired, she had Bonny bowl for her - then Ara took over - got strikes and everything - for Annika's score!

Ella caught me unawares.

David was being difficult about being photographed!!

A little instruction from Dad.

Hannah and Robbie wanted to go meet Miss Isla afterwards. They were not disappointed!!

Some playtime back on the Primrose Playground.

There was some Mother May I? but I'm not sure if this is part of it!

There's always the tetherball

and Uncle Robbie's iPhone!!

After a sumptious repast of homemade Mac 'n Cheese and 3 kinds of ice cream for dessert, David taught us to play "Golf," a pretty fun card game.

Little girls always enjoy coloring.

But eventually the night winds down- and we head off to our various corners of the homestead. We are looking forward to the arrival of Matt, Eliza, Theo, and Ida tomorrow.

Stay tuned!

"It is indeed a wonderful life!!"

The Grandkids Sleepover went well - I should have taken a photo when they were all nestled in their "beds" but wasn't quick enough before "lights out!" But this is what it looked like this a.m. after they all got up.

Grandpa went out and got donuts - a big hit for sure!!

After a morning of play outside - and after getting ready to go to the beach club in Malibu - they all sat down for some movie time - complete with popcorn - that definitely needed salt!! No fooling these kids with healthy popcorn!

Harry and his boys joined them for the trek to Malibu. Dad and I stayed home and went mirror shopping - I'm trying to find the perfect mirror for the bathroom. Not found yet! So the ugly medicine cabinet stays awhile longer!

Noah joined us for dinner - he's quite the handy man in the kitchen - a talent he seemed to hide well when he lived at home!

Hannah and Robbie arrived - along with Dave and Diane - who are spending the night on their way to Bakersfield. Keena was in LA on business, so she drove out and joined us.

The iPhone - always popular with the little kids.

The Hamill clan - one of the perks that goes along with marrying off your children is gaining some great new friends. We love having the Hamills visit!

I know you will want to stay tuned, because tomorrow we are going bowling!!

It's always fun when family comes -

Phoebe, David, and family arrived Saturday night. Sunday we all managed to get to church pretty much on time - and afterwards enjoyed a Sunday lunch.

Calvin and Henry enjoyed some wrestling and general horsing around with the Cousin Karls!

Phoebe and Agnes went to the church with me to get things ready for the Terrill Family Christmas Party - which used to be the last Saturday before Christmas - and is now held on the first Sunday after Christmas!! Agnes found Baby Jesus and was intrigued.

Shy Agnes!

The "kids" table - thanks Aunt Mary for playing card games with the kids - and thanks to Ara and Ella for fixing up all the Christmas Bingo sheets. (most of the kids enjoyed the patio - and generally running amok - which is what the patio is for, right?!) But Bingo was fun too - with M and M's for markers. Maybe someone who got shots of that will post them.

The occasion also called for celebrating some birthdays - as Terrill Family Christmas parties are wont to do!

Miss Isla continued to charm everyone.

Including Great Aunt Jeanette - she and Charlie are in town and came out with Mom, Mary, and Donna. It was great to see them - they were all a big help.

Ella - lover of holding babies!!

Great to see Doug and family.

Dawn - always helping out the kids!!

Heather, Steve and kids made the trek!! Thanks guys!

Loved seeing Chris and Robin too! (some people like to mug for the camera!)

The Birthday Boys - 65 and 46!!

Greg - the honorary Terrill!

We are always happy when Bill and Marjorie join us.

Isla and Uncle Noah.

He loves the nieces and nephews - he may be lobbying for the Favorite Uncle status!!

Grandma Terrill enjoyed visiting with everyone.

Bruce had had a long day as Bishop Bolander, but he was a great sport - and a big help. He's the organization man - always a big help for these sorts of affairs.

Some girl talk, it looks like!

"Cousin Time"

David often makes it hard to get his picture!!

We love those Fortners, who brave the Grapevine just for us!!

Steve, entertaining Porter!!

Afterwards, there was a cousin's sleepover in our living room - Eve, Esme, Ara, Ella, Annika, Henry and Calvin are all asleep in there - I sure hope they sleep in!

We visited in the kitchen - pretty much waiting them all out until they fell asleep!

It was a great evening - I didn't get any photos of the nativity - but you really had to be there. It was vintage Terrill Nativity. Noah is our new narrator too. Maybe someone who got good shots will post them.

David quipped after that we could call it the Clarrill Christmas Party since there were a substantial number of Claytons there.

A big thank you to Bonny for spearheading the menu choices and for manning the kitchen with aplomb!!

It was work to get it to happen - but mostly work the day before and the day of. I love planning these - then have a moment of panic the day of and wonder whatever possessed me.

Then I'm glad we did - it's certainly "work worth doing!!"