December Festivities: Weekend 3

This weekend we made a quick trip to WV to celebrate the 70th birthday of my great-aunt Rosario Tan, or "Auntie" as my family calls her. It is hard to believe that Auntie is 70--she looks great and is still active as ever. She has filled the memories of my childhood with a lot of laughter and love! The Tan's were our only relatives in WV so we spent lots of time together. (Forgot my camera so I had to find another photo of Auntie & Uncle.) I remember late late LATE night majong games where my sister and I would fall asleep under the pool table, trips to the slots in Atlantic City, summer trips to the beach, and of course watching her prepare deer meat during hunting season.

At the party my mom cooked wonderful food as always and the house was packed with family and friends. Since we will be in Charlottesville for Christmas, it was good to see my cousins and their kids and pass out early Christmas gifts. Julia was so excited to organize all of the gifts and I was impressed by her restraint not to peek or rip into the presents. "Four more days!" she said many times today. I was especially happy to see our favorite bartender, Johnny Walker. (That is his name is for real!) He has known our family since I was a little girl asking him for Shirley Temples and sneaking peach schnapps as a high school-er. He and his wife are the sweetest people.

We continue to ward off sickness...the kids and I are sniffling and Julia had some strange rash on her face that disappeared when we went to church today. (Oh, the healing properties of God and His church!) I just hope we can make it through the week. Don't know if it helps, but I'm shoving fluids, gummyvites and "hanitizer" at them.

P.S. It was also Mom & Dad's 33rd wedding anniversary. We love you Lola & Lolo!