Merry Christmas

What  a fun week we have had!  

On Christmas Eve we had 2 services at church and then went to friends house to eat dinner, play games and laugh!  We had so much fun!  The pictures above were taken on christmas Eve at our friends house.  

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Well, I love Christmas, I love to put up lights, the tree and all my decorations.  I really love snowmen.  I have a lot of them around the house.  The kids started to count and when they got to about 60, decided that they would stop.  They hadn't counted any ornaments.  We had so much fun decorating the tree.  I unpacked the ornaments and the kids put them on the tree. 

It was so much fun to unpack our ornaments.  Every year we get new ornaments, this year we bought a flute and a guitar (those are the instruments Emily & Ethan have started to play).    

As I put out different decorations, I was reminded of memories, from when I was a little girl, of my very special Grammie, things that she made and had in her apartment, and things that we have gotten since we were married and had children.  

 

The weather cooperated and Ted was able to get the lights on the house up and the other yard decorations.  

I love to watch White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street and The Santa Clause.  I have watched each of them already.  

I have way to much shopping to do still, but I am trying to rest and enjoy the season.  

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, today has been a little tough for me. It was 2 years ago today that my grammie passed away. She was 88 1/2 years old and one of the most amazing women I have ever met. I can not remember my grammie ever complaining, I never heard her say, why me, it's not fair or anything like that. She had a lot she could have said it's not fair about. She buried 2 husbands, was alone for about 41 years. She lived a good life, loved her family without reservation or strings and gave to everyone she met. She always had a kind word and a smile.

When I needed someone to pray, she was the first person I called. I knew that she prayed for our family at least twice per day. If I needed to talk I would call her, she always new just what to say and I always felt better by the time we were done talking.

My kids loved her, they thought she was a very special lady! Emily is still writing poems about her.

One of my favorite memories, one day when Ted & I were at her apartment (we were just married then) we were getting ready to leave and she looked at Ted and said "by Joe" we looked at her and she got the funniest look on her face and we all started to laugh. It became a big joke between us and after that whenever she would call, she would ask about "Joe." It was our inside joke.

I miss grammie so much! I miss our talks, I miss her hugs & smiles and I miss her prayers!

I have so much to be thankful for,

~ my husband

~ my amazing kids

~ my family

~ our home

~ our church

~ a beautiful state to live in

~ friends

We spent the past week at our friends, Paul & Lori, they live in Springfield, CO. We helped them move from one house into a new one. It was a lot of work, but we had so much fun! We spent Thanksgiving with them. We had so much amazing food! We had to drive home after dinner (in the afternoon), that was sad, but it was good to be home too.....

Here are some pictures of the kids

Well, the leaves are almost gone off the trees. There are leaves all over the yard. Before Ted and the kids raked them all up I took them out for a few pictures.

Time is just flying by!

Halloween

Well this year Halloween was very different for our family. Normally we are at the church participating in the Carnival of Light. Emily & Ethan have never been trick or treating. This year the church decided to try something different and sponser Neighborhood Block Parties. Our friends and life group leaders hosted one in their culdesac. We had a jumper and games, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and cookies and candy and candy and candy. Did I mention we had candy?

Emily went out trick or treating with some of the kids from our life group. They had a great time. Ethan decided he wanted to stay at the house with the jump castle and games. They had a really good time, in spite of the cold temperatures.

Here are some pictures.

Emily & Ethan in his first costume

Jordyn in her dalmation costume

Ethan the storm trooper

Emily & Jordyn

It's been a while

Wow, it has been a while since I posted any news. Of course there isn't much news to report. School started for Emily & Ethan in the middle of August and life has been racing by ever since.

The kids love their teachers, and have some wonderful friends in their classes. They seem to be happy, adjusting to the amount of homework that 4th grade and 2nd grade bring. Mom and dad are trying to adjust to the amount of homework that comes too. Our evenings are very different these days. Study time, reading time, dinner, baths and all to quickly it is bed time!

Our house is a little louder these days. Emily started playing the flute at school, she loves it! She is actually playing a few songs now. Ethan started taking guitar lessons with a very nice man from church. He loves it! He loves to play the guitar.

Emily has been writing songs these days. She has always loved to write stories, but has started writing songs now. She is having fun!

Last weekend we drove up to the mountains to see the changing leaves, we had so much fun. We drove up Hwy. 285 to Guenella Pass and went across to Georgetown. What a fun drive that was. Parts of the road are not paved, so it was very bumpy at times, the kids thought it was a blast! They loved the bumps! We found a stream with a bridge, a beautiful waterfull and lots of leaves! It was a lot of fun!

California

Hi there,

We are in California spending time with my Aunt and Uncle. Auntie Jo is doing well, they are calling her the walking miracle. We are so thankful! God has done amazing things for her and we are grateful! Everyday we Thank God for the progress she is making.

The weather is nice, last night we went to the beach / cliff area and took some pictures. it is so beautiful here. We are getting ready to go to the park and play for a while. It is so nice to just relax and hang out.