My wife has an open house for family and friends every year on Christmas Eve. She spends all day cooking and baking, heaven on earth to her way of thinking. I was gratified for her sake by all who braved a cold, snowy night to come by. Christmas jammies from Nana are another of her traditions. The Little Rat Pack hammed it up by playing"what do you want for Christmas" for the crowd. In my extreme youth I used to say I wasn't afraid of anything that stood upright and didn't bay at the moon. I would spend all day chasing the "reddish-brown chicken like game bird of the upland and forest edge". Or wade an icy cold stream trying to sneak up on what we called summer ducks down in Alabama(wood ducks to you Yankees). Not bragging, just sayin'. Now my heart stops at an irregular breath as they nap. I would rather play Candyland than bother the local bird life. Old age comes as a slowly descending mantle, but a comfortable one none the less. My daughter caught Ethan and me when we tried to hide in the back of the house and watch "Frosty the Snowman" You can see who has the remote. Anyway from a well and contented Granddad and the Little Rat Pack, wishes for a joyous and prosperous New Year to you all.
Christmas can be a time for feeling sentimental....and this post brought tears to my eyes James.
ReplyDeleteSadly my children have lost both their grandfathers - reading this and looking at you and Ethan snuggling together summed up for me how really lovely it is to have one - and to be one. I do feel sad that my children will miss that relationship....
My grandfathers were two of the nicest men you could ever hope to meet, one of them in particular was one of the best parts of my childhood, thinking of him always makes me smile.
I have probably said it before but good grandparents are such a special gift - one that will never leave your little Ratpackers :)
Merry Christmas and thanks for such a lovely post.
The best thing you could say about a Grandfather is that his memory makes you smile. I hope I am remembered with a smile.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet James!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful NYE and wish you all the very best for 2011!
Oh James- how much that first photo makes me smile, and just want to reach through the computer and give you a big hug. I'd say your rat pack is blessed, but I think we both know who is the most blessed in this arrangement. Best wishes for 2011, and lots of "rat pack" memories!
ReplyDeleteSuburban Princess: Thank you
ReplyDeleteSouthern Proletariat: Yes. they are my greatest blessing.
Oh how my heart aches right now. My father was "Granddad" to my kids too. He passed several years ago and it hurts me for them more than for me. He would have been right there watching Frosty too!
ReplyDeleteSpend every precious moment you can with them. They will always carry you in their hearts.
They are adorable! Sounds like a wonderful Christmas was had by all. Happy New Year to you as well!
ReplyDeleteJames I would have to say that my four grandchildren mean more than anything to me, they are priceless!
ReplyDeleteI do try hard to spend lots of quality time with them and make a difference
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Your little rat pack is so adorable! Both my grandfathers had passed away before I was born and I wish I could have known them. The memories you're creating with them now will last them a lifetime!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo and cheers....
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean by that 'irregular' breath - when we were younger raising our children we never dreamed we'd have so much love, did we? Happy New Year, James - and many more 'irregular breaths' in 2011.
ReplyDeleteSuch moments to cherish...little arms around your neck, giggles at your stories, a swift kiss followed by an embarrassed smirk, small warm bodies tucked next to yours what in the world could be better. I just wish my babies lived closer. Have a wonderful and loving New Year James
ReplyDelete" The best thing you could say about a Grandfather is that his memory makes you smile. I hope I am remembered with a smile."
ReplyDeleteJames you are a perfect Grandfather and you make all of us smile with fondness.
Always, Bumby
And a Happy New Year to you too James. I watched Zulu and then The Shooting Party yesterday and thought of you!
ReplyDeleteJames...you already know this but the memories y'all are building are the best kind.
ReplyDeleteTabitha...Zulu and the Shooting Party....brilliant way to spend the day.
My cousin and family recently emigrated to Australia and today I saw his father in law. It made me feel so sad as he told me he so missed the grandchildren, he is very close to them. Grandads are the best! Happy new year to you all.
ReplyDeleteHello James, I just wanted to say - HAPPY NEW YEAR! My BEST WISHES to YOU and YOUR LOVED ONES in 2011! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year James. I've looked at this photo of you and Ethan hiding together several times, it never fails to bring a tear of DEARNESS to my eye, his little body coiled up next to yours, I kid you not I'm talking a REAL tear in the eye, of course we know he's ready to spring into action at any moment, you on the other hand are likely in a state of bliss to be able to go horizontal for a few minutes. I love this photo, and I LOVE that shirt you're wearing, oh to be able to read the label and Visa one for my husband!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you James. These are lovely photographs - and I love your wife's way of thinking that baking is heaven on earth - how nice that you have an open house on Christmas eve. Perfect. Wishing you all the best - thank you for your lovely and kind (and often ego boosting!) comments during 2010 - they mean a lot to me. X
ReplyDeleteHi James, Happy New Year!! I have just been hanging around at your blog when your comment showed up in my inbox. I still find those things amazing. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful family Christmas, James. I missed having my Michigan family and grandkids this year, but had two of my kids and we had a lovely, peaceful adult Christmas. Something to be said for that too. :) But I'm sad tonight as my daughter went back to her home in NYC tonight. I'll sure miss her!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours!
Ohh, beautiful images James! I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes to play Candyland.:) The simple pleasures of life are what we often remember in our mind's eye and these are things that we hold dear...I'm glad you had such a lovely holiday with your family. Much happiness and good health to you and yours in 2011!
ReplyDeleteH.H.
Happy New Year James, lovely pictures!
ReplyDeletexoxo
SC
Love the photos! wonderful post, as always. Very, very happy new year to you and yours.- Erin
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteI see you are making more wonderful memories with your little guys. Of all the gifts we could give our grandchildren, it's our time and attention they want most. Your little 'rat packers' will cherish their time with you long after they have outgrown snuggling while watching movies. Fun post! Rita