Monday, January 6, 2014

December Catch Up

I got a new camera for my birthday, and let's just say that it is a bit more technical that I can handle.  Pictures have been held hostage on it for several months until Leon came to the rescue and set them free.  
So....a bit of catching up.
~
December is always full of performances, including the junior high band concert.  Jayden is the cute kid in back with a bow tie.  He worked really hard on his part and did a great job.

December also means getting the house ready for Christmas.  Decorating the tree is always fun for the kids, but apparently, not me so much.  I don't know why I'm not smiling, it really WAS fun.
This picture of Landon posing with an ornament is just for documentation purposes.  Let's just say a certain brother (cough, Jayden) was playing with a bouncy ball in the living room and this ornament that Landon made in 1st Grade with his hand print wrapped around it got in the way.  Who would know that the whole backside is a bouncy ball sized crater?
Christmas morning is what it's all about.
 Sometimes we wonder if the 3 minutes that it takes to open gifts is worth all of the effort, but it is. 
Now, this picture just had to make it on the blog since we may never get to see Jayden and Landon playing Barbies ever again.  The kids always look forward to spending time at Grandma and Grandpa's house with their cousins.
 Great-Grandma's Christmas party is always a highlight, too.  Great-Grandma is so thoughtful and generous to give to all of the grand kids and great-grandkids.  She has SO many gifts to give and I don't think she has ever forgotten anyone. 
 One of my favorite things about Christmas time is just spending time with family.  Everyone seems to be in a better mood during Christmas break.  Jayden cracks me up. 
Merry Christmas!




Thursday, January 2, 2014

Happy Birthday to Me!

 So, I was going through some papers today and ran across this cute picture that my nephew sent me for my birthday last month.  I just had to scan it in and blog about it so I can come back and visit it every now and then.  This sure made me smile when I got it in the mail an again today when I came upon it.


I'm pretty sure this says, "I love you, Aunt Stephanie.  Love, Joel.  Happy birthday."  At least that's what I'm translating it to say.  Such a cute way to spell.  You can tell that he really thought it out and did it himself.  

Thanks, Joel, for the card.  It made my day on my birthday and again a month later.