Christmas Eve 2009

Hadley & her momma

Coen's version of pool.

Gracie's version of pool.

Spencer, the ping pong champ.

Coen & Gracie just hanging out with Santa.

Coen posing with Santa.

Gracie posing with Santa.

Nate posing with Santa.

Say 'cheese'.

Becky & Gracie

Karl being silly.

Sweet Spencer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

Are You Old Enough To Remember...

Tinsel -

I know some of you (but probably very few) actually still buy real Christmas trees - but do they still sell tinsel? Since I never look for it anymore I'm not sure. That was such a combination of fun and torture to get the whole box strung up on the tree. You start out putting on one strand at a time trying to make it pretty until it gets so tedious you just start tossing it by the handfuls. And although it managed to get carried all through the house during the holidays I don't think it was as bad as the glitter we deal with today.

Twice A Day Mail Delivery -

At least the week before Christmas I can remember the mailman delivering our mail twice a day - once in the morning and the second was usually after dark. The volume of Christmas cards back then was amazing. And yet, our mailman at least, was always so cheerful.

Carolers-

I know there are carolers still - but they are usually in the mall or at the nursing homes. I can remember when we'd get all excited to hear them coming down the block and we'd hurry to turn on our porch light and open the door so they would stop outside our house. It was usually the youngest who had the honor of depositing a few coins in their can - reminds me of the blind man too who walked the streets in the summer playing his music.

Head Scarves -

Ok - I know this is a strange memory but it comes from a conversation I had with my sister. I don't believe I even own one anymore but I can remember when 'put on your headscarf' was a constant reminder from my momma. I'm not sure when they finally went out of style but I don't remember my children ever wearing one. And in case you need a little chuckle to help you through the holiday crunch:

Oh yeah - wasn't I cute - ha ha

There are so many more 'moments' that I can't think of right now

- feel free to add to my short list.

Most of all -

HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Boys and their Toys

Steve came home a few weeks before Thanksgiving

claiming he had bought this Mario racetrack

for when the kids come over to play.

OK - I could buy that.

Then the week of Thanksgiving he has 'snuck in'

a Polar Express Train set - claiming it's also for the kids.

Maybe I could buy that.

But then today he makes another trip to

the hobby shop to 'add' to his train set.

Is it just me or does it sound like he has

started a new hobby that he doesn't want to fess up to?

2009 Thanksgiving

I've learned that you never know what's going to happen

this time next year - or in the years following.

When Steve and I first got married I volunteered to

take over Thanksgiving for my sister

(she did Christmas)

and since we invited all my side of the family and

all of Steve's side of the family - plus

friends and their families-

we always had anywhere from 30 and up to 50 guests.

This year we had 8

and that's counting Hadley.

Only one table to set.

I think we all had a good time.

Plenty of food and time to play and relax.

I know Spencer & Coen had fun with Popo's new toys

& Jen & Karl enjoyed Popo entertaining the boys for awhile.

Even though I enjoy 'traditions' - I'm not afraid of change

and I know it's just part of life and growing up.

OK -actually I know I'm too old to host one of

those huge feasts anymore so a little change is good!

But of course - I'm always hoping all my kids

will join us one of these times - maybe Christmas?

Happy Belated Birthday Gracie

Sweet Gracie Girl had a family birthday party last night

minus a big chunk of the family.

She woke up from her nap with a bark and a sniffle

so the cousins were warned away.

But that's ok - they were all at her kid party

last week on her real birthday.

The family party was Grace and her 'adult' family

and we had a great time celebrating with the birthday girl.

She has mastered the art of blowing out those candles!

As I watched her 'sample' the plastic food for her shopping cart -

I was thinking it's probably a good thing the cousins were not there

to help her taste each item.

She wasn't so under the weather that she couldn't tease Nana.

I asked for a smile and she gave me her silly face instead.

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Gracie Girl

and hope you feel all better real soon!

I love you so much!

Lucky 13

I know I'm a little behind here but I've been busy.

Hadley Elizabeth

born November 13

at 3:13 pm

and even though they weighed her at 6 lbs. 14 oz.

I'm thinking their scale was off by an ounce

and it was probably 13 oz. :)

She is beautiful and the boys are delighted with her -

they want so much to "help"

take care of her.

Mommy & Daddy are terribly 'sleep deprived'

but doing great in spite of it.

She is our 6th grandchild - third granddaughter.

Our lives overflow with God's Blessings

and we are loving every minute of it!

Watching them Fall

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."

Elizabeth Lawrence

"The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds,

no matter how hushed,

are as crisp as autumn air."

Eric Sloane

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,

Fluttering from the autumn tree."

Emily Bronte

HAPPY AUTUMN AND FALLING LEAVES!!

Happy Halloween

Halloween has changed since I was a kid.

I don't believe that there were ever any pictures of me in costume taken -

but it doesn't matter because I always just put on

dad's old clothes and went as a bum -

and I still got just as much candy as anyone else.

Also, my parents use to have over 100 kids come each year.

When they ran out of candy they turned out the lights

and retreated to the back of the house.

We're lucky if we have a dozen kids at our house.

I remember when we would get stuff like homemade popcorn balls,

bags of popcorn and candy apples from the neighbors.

You'd never get away with that stuff these days.

Hard to believe that these pictures were taken just last year -

they have all grown so much since then!

We didn't use to buy all the fancy costumes for our kids -

they were either homemade or those cheap

all in one boxes with a one piece costume and a mask.

But they were still cute and got plenty of candy.

Looks like we may have nicer weather by this weekend -

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween!

Jackson is 1!

We celebrated Jackson's 1st Birthday tonite

with presents, pizza and, of course, cake.

As most kids - he thought the tissue paper was pretty neat -

But he was mostly into this big yellow truck Jessie's parents had gotten him.

In fact, big sister Ayden had to step in and finish opening his presents for him.

Every boy needs a truck and he was very focused on his - so cute.

However, he was so focused, even after about 9 tries,

I still could not get him to look up for a picture

And the cake - well - he wasn't too sure about all that - but it was all very good.

Hard to believe he could be 1 already!

Happy Birthday sweet Jackson - We love you!

How Quickly They Grow!

Spencer wanted to come for an "Overnite"

and last night worked best for all concerned.

He hasn't spent the night here by himself

since he was 2 and Jen & Karl had a wedding in KC.

I think he had a good time but it reminded me

of how much he has grown in 3 years.

This is Spencer now

( in our 1st of 5 or 6 sleeping arrangement choices)

He still likes to have his 'guys' but

he doesn't want them in bed with him now.

This is Spencer at 2 with his monkey & horse "guys"

Spencer now allowed to eat breakfast in the den

preferred the cinnamon toast -

powdered donuts were not a top choice anymore.

Spencer at 2 when powdered donuts were 'yummy!"

Spencer has always been a really good kid and we enjoyed his visit.

But it's funny how it's almost easier now

when he can tell you what he wants or needs -

and yet, sometimes it was easier

when he was 2 and I could tell him what he wants and needs.

:)

"Children's children are a crown to the aged."

Proverbs 17:6

Quiz and a Quote

QUIZ - Who can tell me where this picture was taken?

I doubt if many will know but a few will.

I took it during a 'calm' and it

made me feel happy and peaceful.

I LOVE AUTUMN!!

This picture also makes me think of the peaceful times

I've spent on front/ back porches.

Therefore - a QUOTE:

"The best kind of friend

is the one you could sit on a porch with,

never saying a word,

and walk away feeling like

that was the best conversation you've had."

Unknown

Stevie is 28 Tomorrow!

My baby boy is having another birthday-

and even after 28 years he's still getting away

with everything with that "who me?" smile.

It's hard to resist - he's still so cute!

This is Stevie when he was 2 -

This is Ayden and Jessie and Ayden is 2.

I'm sure someday we'll see some

Stevie in her but you can't deny that

she looks just like her mom -

such big beautiful eyes.

This is Stevie when he was 1.

Jackson is not quite 1 but he's close.

He has a lot of his mommy in

his looks too -but there are moments

when I get a glimpse of Stevie-

especially when he smiles.

Stevie - Have a wonderful and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

LOVE YOU ALWAYS