Goodbye 2015 Hello 2016

Good afternoon and welcome Through My Back Door. We have coffee on, Kona, and we also have some DD donuts Beth brought out today. They are yummy. It seems a long time since we have visited and I guess it has been. I am trusting each of you had a wonderful Christmas. I know with the violent weather in some areas it wasn't the way you wanted Christmas to be. I have said prayers for those people and the towns and states. On a happier note my Christmas couldn't have been better. We celebrated forever it seems.Debbie, Beth, Amanda, Lindsey, and I went to see the Nutcracker. It was wonderful as always. Beth and I wanted to see it, the others not so much, but decided to go with us. We went downtown and walked around Market Square, had dinner at Cafe 4 and had a wonderful time. It is wonderful when 3 generations can get together and laugh and enjoy ourselves. Mollie was in a Christmas play at her Mothers Day Out and of course we all had to go. She was so cute in her angel costume sitting "crisscross applesauce" on stage ringing her bell and singing. Deb and I then went out to an Italian restaurant and had Lasagna. On Friday after Thanksgiving we kicked off the season by going to Fantasy of Trees where Mollie was dancing in a short program. Here she is in her little dancing outfit. Yes, I took her flowers.

Christmas was a fantastic time with all the activities leading up and then the big day. I had all my children, grands, greats, but 2 grands and a grand in law and a great here. I loved it

They are such a mess. I love having them together as they are always talking, laughing and just enjoying one another. Deb has always told them what to do!lol
2015 was very good to me. I did quite a bit of traveling starting in March when Deb and I went to Hershey with Dodd and Renda. Liv flew over from DC and we had such a good time.

We had just feasted at the Hershey Hotel. We are going again this year and Michael is getting to go.
In April I went to Virginia with my cousins from Michigan to visit our cousin and aunt

This old porch swing holds a lot more than the three of us. It hold so many memories as it hung on our grandparents porch when we were children. It  now hangs on our cousin Katrina's porch, where it has a forever home.
In May Deb, Michael, Amanda. Andrew, Mollie and I went to DC. We went to see Olivia who was interning in Senator Bob Corkers office. Dodd and Renda met us there and Liv took us on a tour of the Capitol.What a memory. Andrew absorbed it all like a sponge. I cannot tell you what it meant to me, being given the tour, by my Granddaughter. It truly was special. We also visited the Smithsonians, Arlington Cemetery, Mt Vernon and Monticello.  We soaked up a lot in that week, We made so many memories and had so many laughs.

 Also in May, Dodd ran for County Commissioner in his county and was elected
In June we made our annual trip to the beach. There were some short trips to Nashville to the Opry, to Pigeon Forge for the week ends then back to the beach in October.In September I was blessed to go on a trip to Cinn, Ohio with my cousin Gina, her daughter Leah, my cousin Dale and his wife Debbie. There was no laughing on this trip! My sides were sore for a week. Gina and Leah also introduced me to Ikea! In November I made a trip over to W. Va and on to Ohio for a week. Then back to Pigeon Forge for the card group annual get away. It has been a busy year and I have enjoyed every moment. so grateful for good health and for family and friends.
I was blessed to meet some FB friends, some blogging friends as well. I met Kathy Webb in September. She and her husband are as nice as I thought they would be. Then in Ohio, in November, I met Linda Rebtoy, whom I had met before, Nina Meachum and Gayle Ferguson. What a wonderful day we shared. We laughed and said after 5 minutes we knew it was a life long friendship.
I don't usually share Christmas gifts but I have to share my book and my calendar. Beth and Amanda do this every year. I love it

Well I hope I haven't bored you with my 2015. I am looking forward to 2016  and what it brings. I hope it continues to bring you Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: All my decorations are down and things here are back to normal
PSS: I have not made a decision on my blog yet. I will soon. I so appreciate all your comments, emails, and encouragement
PSSS: I am in prayer for our country. I hope you will join me