Dawson's Birthday

Dawson turned 4 this month, and we celebrated with supper, cake and ice cream. He had on his usual big smile when we lit the candles and started singing. (Notice the color of the frosting.)

Do I need to say anything?

Dawson got a train set that they all enjoyed constructing.

Uncle Gavin was home to help, too.

I made Brooklynn a new hat over the weekend. I think she likes it. Lexy asked for one, too, but of course, it needs to be purple!

December Birthdays

We finally celebrated our December birthdays, with a warm, filling dinner, light dessert, and gifts and ditties. Dan got a book to make Ben and Jerry's ice cream (mmm, we can't wait for him to try one of those recipes.)

Alice got some new crocs. (I know you can't see her face, but these really are Alice's feet.) Hopefully she's enjoy them as much as the rest of us do.

Here are the honorees. What a fun evening with friends, food, and more memories made.

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.