Happy New Year Everyone!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I can't believe it is 2012... I'll be turning 34 this year.

It's very hard for me to realize I'm in my thirties... I seriously don't feel like I'm a day out of highschool!!

More shocking... my baby sister will turn 29!  

Wow...  I'm getting a little teary eyed thinking about how fast my life seems to be moving.

It's been a while since I made a post.

We've been pretty busy and had a wonderful holiday season.

Abby and George were happy to find out that Santa stopped at our house on Christmas Eve.

Abby and I baked a birthday cake for Baby Jesus.

I'm hoping this becomes a tradition for us. 

I think that the kids will really enjoy it as they get older.  Abby cracked all three eggs for the batter, but the icing was left up to mom (atleast for this year).  

George surprised me when he helped decorate our Gingerbread house...  

he was very careful and precise to place the candy on the icing.  

He didn't like to get his fingers dirty with icing... 

that helped Mom have fun too!

This year was our first year with a Christmas Program to attend.

Abby was our little angel and did a great, great job!

If you want to see the 10 minute program, search 'darleneascencio' in youtube.

(Abby is in the top row all the way to the right.)

On Christmas Day we received one of those dreaded phone calls.

My Grandmother, my Mom's mother, passed away.

It was very unexpected.  VERY unexpected.

Grandma went out to a very nice dinner with my Aunt Patty on Christmas Eve.  

She even had a drink to celebrate the holiday.

But what she didn't know, is that God had more dinner plans for her the next day... 

A Christmas Dinner with my Grandpa up in Heaven.

I like to imagine that my Mom was a third-wheel on their Christmas Dinner Date.

My Grandmother was an amazing woman.  For starters, she had

10 children.

29 grand-children.

20+ great-grand-children and counting.

She knew everyone's birthday, activities, current status in life...

If asked about any one of her family members, she could answer without hesitation 

and was ALWAYS correct with her answer.

Even though I was one of 29 grand-children, she always made me feel like I was the only one.

She and Grandpa created an amazing family and the world feels right now that they are together for eternity.

Grandpa passed away when I was 8 months pregnant with George.

Grandma missed him, of course, but she didn't slow down for a second.

Even though she had both her knees and both her hips replaced years ago

and had rheumatoid arthritis, she was strong and never complained.

She was always the center of attention because she was loved by all.

Here is a picture of the last time we saw her at Valerie's wedding in April 2011.

Grandma and her daughters.

(Patty, Nancy, Mary Jane, Anne, Debbie)

Grandma tailgating at the Royal's game in April 2011.

Grandma and Darlene

 

Grandma, Abby, Karen & Maxine

After Grandma's funeral, 8 of her children.

Jimmy, Gary, Anne, Nancy, Patty, Mary Jane, Bob, Eddie

(Debbie was at home with a broken ankle :( )

We miss her.  

But it is also wonderful to know that anytime my Mom wants, 

she has someone to share a Diet Dr. Pepper, Cheeseburger and chocolate shake with.  

That is at least what I like to think :)

Wishing you all the ability to live life like my Grandma lived hers... completely.

~The Ascencio's~