Friday, December 21, 2012

We inclined!
 
Aha, you are back to see what we did to end our day in 'da burgh' (oh, and that's how Pittsburghers say it), aren't you?
 
Well, I have just a few minutes to spend with you today.  I have to shop.  I thought I was done but last night I realized I had forgotten one very important thing:  food!  So, unless I can get away with serving oatmeal and cold meatloaf for Christmas dinner, I have to buy food...grrr....I  hate that...
 
Especially since we are expecting our first snow of the season!  Yes, 4 to 6 inches!  I'm so excited!
 
But back to the story, we discovered that neither Ashley nor Kayla had ever been to Mount Washington on the incline!
 
What's an incline?  Well, there's a neighborhood in Pittsburgh that sits on a very steep hill overlooking the river.  In the olden days, there was a mile long staircase that went down the hill to the river and the railroad tracks below.  These days, there are two inclines that climb about 800 feet up the hill to the observation decks overlooking the city.
 
This is what it looks like in the spring/summer:
 
 
Some of us were chicken and decided not to go up on the incline and drove up instead.
 
We took the incline!
 
 
 
The view from the top was spectacular!
 
 
 
 
As only the brave can tell you...
 
 
So here we are...almost done with the day, but no photos of the rest.  We went to Mike and Michelle's for spaghetti and unless you want to see the resulting weight gain on my scale, you'll have to use your imagination.
 
Now, there are things that need to be done, so I'm going out to do them.  You all ready for Christmas?
 
 
Back soon, but for now, color me gone!
 
God bless you!
Love,
Jan


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Inlaws on Ice!

We took 'da burgh' by storm!

When Mark's siblings get together, you never know what will happen.  When there is a crisis, they band together and rise to the challenge, but when it's playtime...look out!

Our niece, Tori, wanted to go ice skating but sadly, Tori got hit during a basketball game and has a concussion, so she wasn't able to join us.  Maybe next time, Tori!

It's always exciting to go to Pittsburgh during the holidays, everything is decorated and looks so pretty!

Andy seemed happy to be there...

PPG Plaza is all set up for holidays. 

Santa is coming!




 
Everyone was there when we got there.  We were late (grrrr) because Andy had to stop at the cycle shop and buy a motorcycle helmet.
 


There was already a line to get in, but I made the most of the wait by warming up,   I practiced my pirouettes and other French sounding things while I waited...
 

 
I hate to admit it, but it really didn't help...
Well, it MIGHT have if I could let go of the hand rail...
 
~sigh~
But I never did...
 
The rest of the family?
 
My niece, Kayla, thought all she had to do was look pretty...
 
 
Or tease poor Tyler...
 
 
Kevin and Chelsea started out slowly...
 
 
And stopped to pose for the camera.  Aren't they cute?
 
 
 
Grandma Marsha was the first to go down, but out of respect, or because I was laughing so hard, there are no photos of this event..


 
I will say, those cute guys with the yellow shirts are quick to rescue grandmothers in distress!
 
Mike and Tyler found a new way to get in trouble, they ducked under Kevin and Chelsea's hands as they skated...
 
 
 
Ashley and I watched very carefully...
 
 
For photo opportunities!
 
 
Whew!  There were quite a few, this family is very photogenic!
Donna kept watch from the left side of the rink...
 
Mike strikes a pose!  He's down the equivalent of several bags of sugar and a few bags of flour...
doesn't he look great?

 
 
 
 After well all got tired, we sat down to plan our next move...
 


 
 
 And took a picture of our reflection...
 
 
 
And some tall buildings...
 
 
 
Finally we headed off towards Macy's but instead we ended up at
 
(this is how it looks in spring - I didn't take any pictures of this part of our day, I was too busy eating the delicious cookies Ashley baked and brought,)
 
We went to see the Pittsburgh Creche, which was beautiful!
 
 
 
 
After that, we discovered that Ashley and Kayla had never done something EVERYONE who grew up in the area has done over and over,,,so off we went...
 
Where?  Well, you'll have to come back tomorrow to find out.  I'm tired of typing and have tons of things to get done...
 
Hey, stay safe, stay warm and be a blessing to someone!
 
Love,
Jan
 

Saturday, December 15, 2012

I am speechless...


The pain of a broken heart touched by mourning is too fresh in my memory.  Please join me in prayer for comfort and strength for those touched by the tragedy in Newtown, CT.



"He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
Revelation 21:4
Memories...
 
Ever see/hear/smell something that brings back some silly snippet of a memory?
 
The other day, Tony and I were walking through a dollar store and I saw this:
 
 Masking tape!
 
When Andy and Tony were young, we'd give them each a roll of masking tape and let them go to town.  They would tape toys to the wall, the dining room chairs to the table, the kitchen cabinets closed and the doors open.   It kept them busy for hours, took a while to clean it up, but they had a ball and the tape didn't hurt anything. 
 
I remember the look on the baby sitter's face when we were leaving on a rare night out and handed each boy a roll of tape as we walked out the door...
 
What fun!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Another one of my favorite things...
 
I do love Christmas!  I love the music, the decorations and the lights but most of all, I love the reason for the season.  I love celebrating the birth of Jesus...
 
The decorations make me smile but the birth of my Savior takes my breath away, every time!
 
Jesus is the reason for the season!
 
THIS ornament, however, is one of the reasons I smile when I go into the living room:
 
 
Volkswagon does it...
 
Again!
 
Tony snagged this VW ornament plaing some silly game on facebook, getting some VW merchandise from the local VW dealer.  Since we both drive VWs  (me a New Beetle, him a Jetta Wolfsberg {which I don't consider a REAL VW}) , it's pretty cool hanging on the tree - especially since it's the exact shade of blue as my car.
 
Thanks, Tony, and Mikan VW, for the Christmas smile!
 
How about you?  What's on your tree that makes you smile?
 
Got that smile in place?  Go out and give it away!  Be a blessing to someone today!
 
Love,
Jan

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

My very favorite ornament...



Shortly after Mark died, our nephew, Tyler, made this ornament for me. 



He sent one to each of his aunts.  We all treasure ours and I'm willing to bet they have a place of honor on their tree.

Tyler...kiss kiss...hug!

Love,
"Aunt" Jan

Monday, December 10, 2012


How do you wrap this gift?
 
 
It's been a while since I talked about Mark's family, but today I am so excited, I can't wait to tell you about it.
 
This is Mark's sister, Debra:
 
 
 

 She's married to Mark
 
 
and they had three lovely kids, this is Stephen, Sarah and Lauren... 
 
 
 
Of course, that was a long time ago...
 
Those kids grew up,
they were such a lovely family...
 
 
 
But you know, things can't stay the same forever...
eventually the kids all went to college
and then found true love...
 
 
Lots of cool stories there,
but for today, let's talk about...
 
Sarah and Tom!
 
 
Last year, Sarah and Tom were doing some early Christmas shopping.  What could they get Debra and Mark, who have EVERYTHING?
 
They thought and thought and thought...and finally came up with the gift to end all gifts...
A thumb-sucking grandson!
 
 
Now you can't just go out and get one, you have to order it...and wait...
 
 
 
and wait...
 
 
 
and take advantage of some perks...
 
 
And wait a little more...
 
 
 
And finally....it was time...
 
 
To keep on waiting!
 
It didn't take long, honestly!
 
And on Friday, December 7, 2012,
 
Gino Thomas
entered the world...
 
He was
6 lbs, 11oz; 18 3/4 inches long,
a tiny little thing that added so much love and hope to his family!
 
He was welcomed by his parents...
 
 
His aunt, Dr. Lauren, couldn't stay away...
 
Uncle Stephen was amazed...
 
 
Grandpa was in awe...
 
 
 Grandma glowed...
 
 
And Gino Thomas just looked handsome and aloof...
 
 
He's home now, and all is well...
 
 
 
See what can happen when  two people fall in love?
 
 
Mark and Debbie, you started it!
 
Welcome to the world, Baby Gino!