Impossible picture.....

It is very difficult to get all 3 grandchildren in the same picture. It is extremely difficult to have all 3 grandchildren looking at the camera at the same time. And it is almost impossible to have all 3 in the picture looking at the camera, and smiling, too. So, how very lucky am I to have snapped such a wonderful picture! They really are this happy MOST of the time. Life is good!

Holiday Photos

We were fortunate to have the children around and make the holiday extra special. Here are some photos to capture the essence of what was going on in our home. Some photos do not need an explanation, as the feeling is very obvious.

The grandchildren had a visit from Aunt Debbie and Sarah on Monday, and were allowed to open their gifts early. Sarah and Lexy had great fun playing with her new doll set. Very tiny pieces, and lots of them. Lexy promises to keep them picked up and away from the dogs!

This is one of those pictures that words can not describe as well as what the photo tells of the emotions in this little cherub! She looks like little Cindy Lou Who in the Grinch movie!

What a wonderful day. The kids were so excited that their Dad had built them new beds AND painted their room a new color. AND, Santa's reindeer pooped in the driveway! They loved their new riding toys, and the kids all got their own camera.

And now the clean up starts!

Holiday Season

I read a friend's blog, and she had listed 10 things to be thankful for. I thought, odd that she would think of this now, 3 weeks after Thanksgiving, but as I read through, I realized I, too could think of 10 things, EASILY, that I was thankful for. So here I go:

1) good health....yes there are a few things I could improve, and I am working on that, but overall, my health is great!

2) my family and loved ones are healthy too! There are too many aquaintences that are facing serious health issues, and we are not! Something to be thankful for.

3)I have a GREAT job, and there are no signs of being laid off, or losing my job. Too may people are facing a cut in hours, or being laid off from their jobs- the money that gets them through the week. I have a degree and a license, and do NOT face a cut, no do I foresee one at all in the near future.

4) My tree is in the house! It has lights, but no decorations yet! There are many homes with out trees, or trees so small, it hardly gets you in the mood of the season. Mine is real, it's in the house, and it smells wonderful.

5) I have 3 beautiful healthy lively grand children. They are able to come visit, and bring my heart to a new level. They always are happy to see me, and Papa, and I love to see them. Some people have miles and miles between them and their grandchildren, so I am very lucky to only have 2 miles!

6) My mail is filled with cards from friends and relatives that love and think about me! They send warm holiday wishes, and keep my updated on their lives and loved ones! Why do we only communicate during the holidays?

7) My bills are minimal, and I am able to pay all of them, on time!

8) I have money in my checkbook! ( to pay those bills!)

9) My belly is never growling that it is really hungry!

10) I have so many friends that fill my day with love and compassion, and understanding. Family may have deserted me, but real friends will never leave. I have a full, wonderful life, and at this time if year, what more could anyone ask for!

11) Yes, I know it's one too many, but how forturnate am I that I have 10 things to list that I am thankful for, and how wonderful is the day that is filled with at least 10 things to be thankful for. Merry Christmas to all. I hope you have a wonderful feeling sometime over the next few days, and are able to pass that on to someone that doesn't have those important 10 things! Love to all, and peace and warmth to each.

Julie

Holiday Events

The theater group that Ken and I are involved with recently put on a "Home for the Holiday" show. It features mostly local talent, and every one that attends always enjoys the effort put forth by our small group. Here are Ken's great nephew and great niece, both of whom were featured in the show. They did a great job singing "Frosty the Snowman!"

Doesn't she look pretty with her holly berries in her hair! She was a wonderful little performer!

Getting the tree

Today we went to get our trees for Christmas. Corey and the grandchildren went with us. They picked out a tall one, while we were looking for a smaller one. We both found "the perfect tree!" Here are some pictures from the back field at the tree farm.

Here, Corey is showing Lexy how to cut off the lower branches of the tree.

So that she could then cut them by herself!

After cutting, we went inside the Burgess Farm house, and were treated to hot cocoa, mulled cider and cookies. Here, Brooklynn has the camera and got a small number of the holiday decorations on the beam in the kitchen. She has a good eye!

John tries to explain to Dawson how his favorite ornament works. It twirls first downward, then upward. Dawson was very interested in this one, too. The kids had fun, and it was a great outing for all of us....one I hope will become an anual event. Great day, great friends, and beautiful grandchildren.

Holiday Activities

Dawson is examining just how the Duplo train works. His Uncle Gavin used to do the same thing.
Lexy has decided to grow out the bangs. She does her own hair these days, so we may be in for a few questionable styles before they grow out.

Here is Dawson with the new sweater I made for him. He tried it on without hesitation, and I had all I could do to get him to take it off so I could put the buttons on it. He loves it! The size is just right for this winter season.

Today the grandchildren decorated a ginger bread house. I bought a kit that had everything in it. What fun! Brooklynn was very interested in the little candies....not to put on the house, but to eat, of course! She did help some, but most of the gumdrops for the roof were eaten far before we were ready to shingle the roof!

Dawson helped too, with decorating and eating.

Brooklynn has ONE piece to add to the house. They were all very cute, and it was worth every penny. Maybe next year we will do one from scratch??

Then we moved outside. I tried to get all 3 in a picture for Christmas. This was not going to happen today! At least not one where they were all smiling and looking at the camera. Brooklynn and Dawson were great, but Lexy had a pout. You just have to go with what you get!

This was a great one of Dawson! He really enjoys being outside, especially if the garage doors are open! It's going to be a cold kitchen this winter if he keeps going in and out!

Brooklynn was trying hard to please. She was very tired here, and ready for a nap. If she hadn't had mittens on, she probably would have been sucking her thumb.

Finally Alexys cooperated, and helped me hang a wreath, and smiled for the camera.

Now, this is one cool chick. She's got the sunglasses, the cool coat, and mittens, and she is stylin'!

What a fun morning with the kids. It will be fun having them help with decorating for the season. They love the lights, and colors, and of course, Mammie has lots of lights to hang! I hope these are the things they will remember a long long time.

Brooklynn's Pictures

Brooklynn has a totally new approach for taking photographs. She isn't the least bit shy about self photos (or just turning the camera backwards.) Either that, or she really likes the flash in her face.














Dawson's shoulder, Papa's knee, or maybe it really is a picture of the Duplo building blocks. One will never know.















Mammie's eye (just one, not both) or the new holiday decoration that is now on the wall??

















These two pictures are the most common. Often when the flash is on, all you can see is white, because of the wash out. Who know, maybe we have a hidden talent within, that may take years to perfect!

A Different Ride to School

Today, Alexys got to ride to school in a FIRETRUCK! She won a coloring contest at school, and the prize was a ride to school in a firetruck. They picked her up at daycare, as her Daddy, brother, sister, and Mammie watched. I think she was a bit nervous, but once she she saw the truck, all that went away.

You can just make out her silhouette in this

picture. Knowing Lexy, she was checking everything out inside the truck.

Once the truck arrived at school with the sirens blasting and the lights on, they quickly had to disembark because the fire fighters had a fire call to attend to.

Daddy got a quick hug before Lexy went into school. I'm sure it was a great ride, and a wonderful incentive for her to use her great imagination when she colors!

Celebrating Brooklynn's Birthday

Sunday we celebrated Brooklynn's second birthday. We had the cousins and aunts and uncles over for cake and ice cream, and lots of fun.

Here, Alexys talks with Great Grammie Dow (in Florida) who called to see how the party was going. Then she proceeded to read the entire "Green Eggs and Ham" book to her grandfather. It's amazing how kids learn to read.

Brooklynn is enjoying both her daddy and her new toys. Happy Birthday little one!