"Today is a Good Day to Drive!" .....Van-Go

December 25, 2006 Carmine and Robert hosted Christmas this year and a wonderful day it was. This year we had Brian's girlfriend, Jill's three children: Dentiny, Sky and young Weston. They enjoyed listening to Christmas stories and talking about presents and tree ornaments. Time to head downstairs for White Elephant, a fun gift exchange where we each bring a gently used gift all wrapped up. Taking turns each person must choose a present all ready opened by someone, or choose a new one to open. If someone chooses one you open you get to choose another. Each gift is proudly displayed to be "admired by all."The popular items this year were the snowball maker and the hot chocolate maker, but everyone walks away with something. Will got a battery powered blender and Kathy lost her really cool rope lites to Stevie and got hand lotion instead. Stevie's birthday falls at the holidays. This year was a big one; he turned twenty-one! Robert and Carmine made a yummy meal. They...

December 25, 2006 Merry Christmas One and All Kathy awoke to the morning bright, her cell phone still laying by her bed. Maria had not called in the wee hours of dawn, a tradition of decades was gone. It was late morning when we sat by the lighted Christmas tree sipping coffee and past around presents. Jayne got her M&M dispenser with lots of M&Ms, a toaster, enough Ensure to last a few months and stocking stuff too. Will got his Steeler shirt, an audio book, a computer mystery game and his stocking stuff too. Kathy got West Wing episode seven and her camera binoculars that she could hardly put down. We missed JMe who would eat so many doggie snacks then lay across all the scattered Christmas wrappings. We missed Justin...but Kathy is going to see him soon in Hawaii.

December 24, 2006 Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Bradley house, Finnaeus and Damiana ran romped and played. The stockings were laying under the tree, surrounded by presents and a big white kitty named Fin-i-ana. When in the livingroom there arose such a clatter as presents were opened and paper went flying. Time came to put our fingers a side of our noses and woosh ourselves over to the Dawsons. Relatives and friends were seated about, talking and laughing and not one single pout. Foods were a plenty and we munched as we talked. The children played zoo with their masks and entertained as the evening past. Michael and Finnaeus, cousins both three, ate cookies shaped like a Christmas tree. Katie and Jonathan played rug style Candy Land with the kids, then they all blew their "Here we go Pittsburgh" fog-horn whistles till the adults all went crazy. Jayne and her sister sat side by side, Will and his cousin tried watching the football game, Gislane gave Bob ...

December 23, 2006 The last shopping day before Christmas and we headed to the The Strip. We met up with Sueann and Don, Jen and Troy, Troy's Mom and boyfriend, Ed, Carmine and Robert, and Maria and Cliff. We filled the back corner of Primanti Brothers Restaurant. . Everyone loved their breakfast sandwich: fried eggs, bacon, french fries and coleslaw slapped between two large slices of Italian bread and served on wax paper. We presented Sueann and Don with their ceramic clowns...they had left them last Christmas hidden at the Bradley's. After a quick breakfast and a little chat we all went our ways. Some of the guys including Will stayed at Primanti's giving the others a head start. But they too soon joined the crowds. the street's sidewalks are lined with venders selling everything from clothing to foods. It reminded us of Progresso, Mexico. People walked about, shop and mingle. Pennsylvania Maccaroni is the most popular shop for picking up the needed supplies for Chri...

December 22, 2006 Kathy met with her friend and financial advisor, Ron Giesler. Ron works for The Advisors ( http://www.lpl.com/theadvisorsllc/Home.aspx ) and has been Kathy's advisor for some time. If you need help organizing your financial affairs call Ron 412-231-5500.

More pictures and a movie...check the galleries

Our play date with Stella and Silas was such fun! Presents were opened, stories were read, balls were tossed, Stella songs were played and masks were put on. With so much excitement Will had to take a nap! Stella amazed everyone as she played that she was a cat; she preens, watches, stalks her prey, scratches at the door to go out and eats food from Aunt Kathy's hand. Sueann made us yummy chicken dinner with roasted chickpeas for an appetizers. Don arrived and joined in the fun. Family times are happy times of building memories to last long into our rocking chair days.