Merry Christmas!!

I love Christmastime. The lights on the tree; the twinkling decorations that are oh so tempting to little baby hands...the smells of cinnamon baking in the pumpkin roll as well as the scents which only can be sniffed at this time of year. (It's also cowbook time; and those of you who know me know that during Christmas break, I TYPE AND TYPE AND TYPE).

I'm so excited for my kids to be home this year...I've made quicke lorraine and shrimp quiches, crepe skins and chicken crepe mix; chocolate no-bake cookies (hey, Beverly, you left out ONE ingredient - no wonder they don't taste quite right), oatmeal choco-chip cookies, Grandma Conyers' fudge, Marie Kumbina's pumpkin rolls, and will make regular chocolate chip cookies today and tomorrow will be the stuffed shells with homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs. And last, but not least, EGGNOG! Nothing on earth tastes like homemade eggnog, with a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon (and a bunch of rum or brandy!)

Everyone has their Christmas traditions. The Kokott's open their presents on Christmas morning. As the kids have gotten older, the "Santa came, Santa Came!" phrase doesn't sound until around 10 a.m. Wish John were here to celebrate Christmas with us. He was the Big Santa with the big ho-ho-ho! laugh. I'm sure he'll be with us in spirit.

As I look at all my children, as well as my onliest Arleigh Angel (sweet baby-girl), I see the continuation of John and Susan Kokott reflected in the eyes and smiles, the laughter and joy of my beautiful family. If I had to say what the point of my life is, it's the family we created...the family we continue to create with those we love and with whom we share our lives. Some family is blood, other family is made by shared times of joy, sorrow, confidences and conversation. Above all, family is love and laughter. I don't remember so much the times I've cried, as the times I've laughed UNTIL I cried.

From my family to yours - Love, peace, and happiness this Christmas season.




Susan K
West Des Moines, IA
12/21/2010

Will post photos when my family is home again starting on the 23rd.

Silver Bells ringing in the Snow!

I hate to admit that it's been so long since I've posted anything. Life has been exciting and full of busy-ness. My granddaughter Arleigh has been spending quite a bit of time at my now "child-proofed" house. She's almost 9 months old and is into everything she can reach...and believe me, she has a boarding house reach! (Like a Conyers.)

All my CT scans have been "NED" (no evidence of cancer) as well as my latest at the end of September. The cough was out of control (radiation pneumonitis) and the prednisone didn't help or heal...just made me gain about 18 pounds!!! Ouch (and yuck).

(As you can tell from the pic, I have eyebrows and eyelashes again...also still have a smear of blackness from my black eye under my right eye. The doctor said I'll have to go to a plastic surgeon to get rid of that dog-pulling accident! I'm not sure if it's worth it.)

Went to a pulmonary specialist at the end of October and got on Advair as well as an albuterol inhaler and "ta-da" no more cough. Also, no more excuses not to go back to work. Now that I know work is just around the corner, I'm finding so many things to do!

I'm healthier and wiser than I was last year at this time. Joyful and thankful for my wonderful friends and family. The kids are all coming home this year for Christmas since we now all live in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois (no more Arizona kids). I think I'd rather go to Arizona for Christmas. First snow of the year, first shoveling of the year, and already I'm ready for summer...and more summer vacation at the beach!!!

Visited my big sister in Vancouver, WA. What a relaxing, great, motivating time. Thanks, Anne Marie.

Just wanted to wish one and all a very Merry Christmas and joyous Holiday Season.

West Des Moines

December 14, 2010

3:01 p.m.