Florida Part 1

We are home from our WONDERFUL Florida vacation.  I took so many pictures that I hardly even know where to begin as far as posting pictures.  I may just have to post them in sections, so for now, here some of my favorites out of the first round.  We were again blessed to be able to spend a few days with my Grandparents, my parents, and my brother and sister-in-law all together.  The older I get the more I understand how truly special that is. We all had a wonderful time, I’ll let the pictures say the rest. =)

Beach Fun

The kids spent hours jumping off the diving board.  They would jump in over and over and over again.  Lincoln started out the week saying that he wasn’t going to jump in off the diving board, but I think that lasted until about 30 minutes and so he was up there jumping off the board just like Kate.  Creighton even went off a time or two, but those pictures are for another day.

I don’t think I have any pictures of Kate playing shuffleboard, but Grams and Popsy were very patient shuffleboard teachers.  =)

 

That’s it for Part One.  Many more pictures yet to come. =)

happy birthday, dad!

First, if you get a link in an e-mail from me from a hotmail e-mail address, do not open it, that is a VERY old e-mail address and I did not send it.  It should be taken care of now, so I hope you won’t get any more and I apologize for the spam!!

Second, last week was my Dad’s birthday, so we stopped in at work to have lunch with him.  Happy Birthday, Dad!  We love you.

Saturday we used some Christmas money and went out to eat as a family and then we took the kids shopping to spend their Christmas money from A. Joyce.  Thank you, Aunt Joyce!!

  

Sunday we had a good time with several friends, but I forgot to get my camera out!  But, many thanks to the Hoffmire’s and the Shields’ for the delicious food and hospitality!!

I have been missing my friend, Sacha, a lot the past few weeks, I think of her when I pick Kate up from school and how I wish I could stop in and chat.  I think of her when Creighton does something new and how I wish I could ask her if Jack was doing the same things.  But I am thankful for the missing her as it reminds me of all the lessons I learned from her, I never want to forget those things.  I miss you, Sach!

Merry Christmas!

 

Matthew 1:21

“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 

 

An Early Christmas

Our kids were delighted to get to open a few early Christmas gifts.  Mike’s employers are so generous and treat our kids like their own grandchildren.  They sent home presents and stockings for each of the kids.  They love their gifts.  Thank you so much for all you do for us and for them.  We’re so blessed to have the three of you all in our lives. 

   

  

Thanks again, the kids loved the presents!!

Christmas 1, 2, and 3 :)

 

We had the Mel Kaiser Christmas, the Loris Kieser Christmas, and the Arnold Rassi Christmas this past weekend.  I did not take many pictures, there are just so many people at those Christmas’s it’s all I can do to take it all in, much less take pictures.  I am not a “big group” kind of gal so those things can seem a little overwhelming to me at times, but we really enjoyed all 3 gatherings.  Thanks to everyone who hosted them!

     

A picture of the boys.

Someone has been leaving us gifts on our doorstep corresponding with the 12 days of Christmas.  It has been fun to see what they come up with.  Thank you to the mystery gift giver.  =)

Lincoln has been saying some funny things lately.  The other day, I was in the laundry room and heard him say, “Hello.  Yes.  We need some help in here.  We have some bad guys for you to pick up.”  Then he comes into the laundry room and said, “Mom, I just called the police, it’s all under control.” 

Another day we were looking at the nativity set and when he saw the wisemen he said, “Oh  man, they have princess crowns.”

Yet another day we were going somewhere that he was not going to know everyone there.  He asked me if there were going to be people there that he didn’t know.  I said yes, but most of the people he would know.  Lincoln turns to me and says, “I don’t know them, I’m not going  to like them, and I’m not going to like this place.”  Needless to say, upon seeing one of his favorite people in the world, he forgot all about those words.  =)

Perspective

I am really finding it difficult to believe that it is mid-December already.  It just seems like it was not that long ago that we were swimming and wearing flip flops.  December can be exhausting with work Christmas parties, Christmas programs, and 7 Christmas’s to attend in 9 days.  I struggle sometimes to keep my own perspective on what I want the celebration of Christmas to look like for myself, much less helping my kids keep their perspective.  I’ve read a number or articles this month about keeping Christ in Christmas, and remembering whose birthday we are actually celebrating and remembering that there is nothing more important in my life than Jesus.  I’m just here to say that sometimes this gets to be difficult for me.  I’ve been thinking a lot more about really getting my focus right as I’ve been trying to teach Kate and Lincoln that Christmas is not all about presents, and candy, and ME.  So, we’re making a few adjustments to how we celebrate this month and the prayer of my heart is that I can remember that it’s Jesus that matters, only Jesus, and that it is His birthday we are celebrating.  It’s a great cause for celebration, we have a God who loved you and me enough to leave Heaven and come to earth to die for your sin and my sin, it’s hard to wrap your mind around it, but I hope you join me in celebrating this remarkable event this month and every month. 

But, you’re not here to read my ramblings, most of you just want to see the pictures, and I’m completely ok with that.  =)

This was a happy moment for me, Creighton and Lincoln were playing together!  Lincoln is so patient with him.  Creighton really doesn’t sit still long enough to “play” but this particular day he and Lincoln “played” cars and trucks for at least 10 minutes. 

The kids were helping me fold laundry and Creighton wanted to wear Kate’s pajamas (it would appear that is not the case, but he brought them over to me and signed please for me to put them on, he was mad that Kate was making him stand still.)

Grandma brought our “dry” gingerbread house over and helped the kids put the snow on. 

 

Our friends, Ross and Jamie, came over for dinner one evening.  Everyone had a grand time.

Apparently Creighton was thirsty – note our new backsplash, still needs grouted, but isn’t my hubby super talented.  I think so.  =) 

Creighton getting his first trim.  Good bye old man hair. =)

The kids tolerate me and my picture taking pretty well.  Sunday morning I snapped some pictures of them before their Christmas program at church.  Kate did really well saying her verse and participating.  Lincoln also did well.  He was not nearly as enthusiastic as Kate, but he was doing the actions and I think I spied his lips moving.  =)

     

Lincoln is on the far left side in the front.  Kate is on the far right in the top row.

 

Gingerbread

Not much to report here at our house.  =)  Just a few pictures from the past few days.

Creighton loves to look at the older kids’ Awana’s workbooks.  He often will climb on the table and get them down and pour over them.  =)

Creighton dancing, complete with Kate’s cowboy boots.

 

Mike’s Mom makes gingerbread houses each year.  When it works out, the kids get to help decorate one.  Last night we were able to go over and let Kate and Lincoln decorate a house.  Lincoln didn’t last real long, but Kate loved it.  Thanks, Mom, for letting Kate come and decorate with you!!