Scenes from Christmas 2013

 

Christmas in Greenleaf at my parents house. Afterwards we stopped by the little church we were married in for a fun photo.

 

 

 

The split-rail fence, snow and lights at my parent's house.

 

Our family Christmas at home. The girls and I had so much fun decorating, preparing and making it special. This is the fun fruit tree we made.

 

Then there was the Christmas program.

 

 

It was so sweet.

 

Our little shepherd did his part so well!

 

Kaderick knew just what to do with his basket ball and hoop!

 

 

This year we made the long snowy trip to Colorado for Christmas all the family there. The weather was great by the time we got there and we had such a nice time.

Rick and I all ready for the ugly sweater contest.

 



 

Kade and Kaite enjoying Poppy's lap.

 

All the grandsons. Kade was not happy and is actually on daddy's shoulders in this picture.

 

All the grand-daughters.

 

These two little girls are just adorable together. They both love horses and are two identical peas in a pod.

 

All the grandkids with Poppy and Grammy.

 

The kids and their spouses.

 

The whole gang. We had planned to go somewhere and get a fun group picture, but time rather got away on us, and the children were getting tired so we just took some shots in the house--they didn't turn out half bad for the circumstances.

 

Three generations. My husband is his father's only son and my son is my husbands only son. That was a mouthful--I'm sure there was a better way to say it.

We were blessed with many fun family times and Christmas celebrations this year and so keenly away of the true joy of Christmas. Now, I really must get busy and catch up on some housework and laundry and hopefully some rest before it is time to head back to school! Hope you all had a very blessed holiday season and your new year is filled with the presence of Jesus!

Winter Beauty and the Big Kids

 

The little people usually get most of the attention on my blog, at least photo speaking. Today though, I am posting a couple of pictures from my older girls' piano recital. They have only been taking since April of this year, but are doing quite well and LOVE their teacher!

 

Kayla's piece was a real reach for a first year student, but she is stubborn and determined (no clue where she got that) and did very well. She was also a nervous wreck. ;)

 

I'm not sure Kalli knows what it is to be nervous. Lucky girl.

 

This mini ranch house is just around the corner from us and since there are horses, it makes the trip to Walmart well worth it for a certain little girl who lives in our house. =)

 

We have had snow on the ground for a couple of weeks now--and it's been cold. Today is the first day of sunshine in a good while. I was happy to see the sun, but have to admit I also miss the frosty look of freezing fog. I took this picture yesterday on the walking trail by our house.

1 Year Old!

 

The little man is one!

 

He's always on the move.

 

The crew boss.

 

Caution! One man wrecking crew!

 

We've taken to calling him Little Boy Blue, so of course I had to reflect that in his birthday pictures.

 

My favorite shot. And yes, he really was asleep. He is not THAT cooperative!

 

Go blow your horn!

 

His party was construction themed. Perhaps it should have been destruction themed. Smile.

 

Décor was cheap and easy. Caution cones from daddy's work, daddy's tool box, and some printables.

 

Birthday Invitations.

 

The cake. It was fun and easy to make. Finding edible dirt that he wasn't allergic to was the hardest part. 

 

We served fried chicken, corn and red beans & rice out of the tool box.

 

Kaderick's dump truck served up a generous load of biscuit boulders.

 

He was pretty cautious at first.....

 

....and then decided to dig deep!

 

God made dirt and dirt don't hurt, especially when it tastes this good!

 

Or maybe it does a little. Now he has a rash from it.

 

"Now Kaderick you hafta read the card to see who it's from."

 

Gift wrap demolition is calling for special headgear.

 

You gotta keep hydrated on the job site. This new Lightning McQueen cup from Gramma & Papa Germain works great!

 



 

Somebody fetch me a jackhammer. I'll get in this box yet!

 

Constructing my McQueen racetrack. "Gentlemen, Start your engines!!"

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

We took our annual family pictures a couple of months ago while we were in Idaho City on our little vacation. It was nice to have them over and done with early.

 

 

Kammy wanted her dog in the photos because he is part of the family after all!

Cute little guy! He has grown so much--even since this was taken.

 

I love old country churches and collect pictures of them. If anyone ever wants to do something special for me, take a picture of one in your area and send me the history! It's got to be one of my top 5 favorite hobbies!

 

We will be traveling for Christmas this year, but we are still enjoying all the same family traditions and festivities before we leave. Almost all of my décor is the same as last year with a few slight variations, but I'm still really enjoying it. The picture below is one I painted a few years back and hubby made the real wood candleholders. The silver spray-painted pinecones are new this year.

 

My dining room décor is blue and white--I LOVE blue and white together in the dining room!

 

I have an old ladder in the school room and since we don't have a fireplace or a real mantle, I borrowed the ladder to use for a stocking hanger. =) I made the stockings several years ago--lucky for me I had extra fabric, because I had to make another one this year! =)

 Note to self: Must recover those couch pillows soon!

 

 

I think I am getting old and sentimental because all the little things that say Christmas mean more and more each passing year. Not just the presents, but the things that remind me of HIS presence and how dark the world was before His coming--how much JOY He brought and still brings to the open heart.

The Christmas cards have arrived, the letter is written, most of the envelopes are addressed--only the postage yet to be taken care of. =)

 

We've had a real cold snap. Got about 5-6 inches of snow and then down to -13*

It was a fine time for the heat to go out. We made if okay for a day and a half though with a secondary heart source and with a special huddle and cuddle mode.

 

I've neglected my blog of late--I admire the people who can mother and wife and teach and still keep up. I'm going to do better. Maybe. =) Hope to get around to all of you soon--I've missed you all!