Halie's Kindergarten Christmas Party

I am the "assistant" room mom for halie's kindergarten class.  It's the first year not being Micah's room mom.  But I have enjoyed spending some time in Halie's class, meeting her friends and helping make the party's fun!  For her  Christmas Party we decided to do a Pajama party and watch a Christmas Movie and let the kids decorate and eat their own Santa Waffles.  It was yummy and fun!

Halie in her Christmas Jams.

Halies Christmas Traditions

Santa made a special arrival!

Loading up her waffles with fruit, jams, whip cream and sprinkles!

Doing a Christmas Tree Craft.

My little nursery boy.

Brock hates nursery.  There's not much more to say.  He has been going for 4 months now and cries hysterically the second I leave him.  I let him stay for an hour.  One of the cute leaders holds him and plays basketball with him the whole time while tears stream down his face.  Hoping that the new year brings renewed hope.

Micah the Rocker Elf

New schools mean new traditions and apparently every year the third grade puts on a huge Christmas Program.  Micah was assigned the Rocker Elf and we tried our best to make him look like one!

Micah in the black and white stripes.

They sung so many cute songs!

He's not the most daring.  Refused to wear a vest or anything more than this.  But he looked darling.

We were glad that Jim and Rhea could be in town that same night and come!
Matt and Becky are the best Aunt and Uncle and always come to our kids events to support!

Singing Away!

What a fun night!

My Little Homebody

This little boy was grumpy.  The whole time we were in California.  He was stuck to my hip the entire time.  Wouldn't let anyone hold him.  Refused to smile.  The second we walked into our house when we arrived home he was thrilled.  Smiled, laughed, giggled and went right to his hoop and started playing.  Apparently he likes being home.

Seriously Love him!

Brock is my little buddy. He's with me all day.  He runs my errands with me.  He picks the kids up from school with me.  He makes me laugh.  He makes me smile!

So when he wants a little sip of my diet coke how can I tell him no!?

And he will nap anywhere!  He's the best!

We're in trouble!

Brock refuses to sit in his high chair.  He wants his own chair at the table.  And considering the fact that our table is round and fits 4 chairs only.  We will be in the market for a new table soon!  HA!

"ENJOY YOURSELF..."

"IT'S LATER THAN YOU THINK..."

 .... THE YEARS GO BY....

 AS QUICKLY AS A WINK...

(18 of the original 50 cousins) 

ENJOY YOURSELF

 ENJOY YOURSELF...

(18-Less than half of the Great Grandchildren)

 IT'S LATER

 THAN...

 YOU THINK!"

 So here we all were.  Doing what the song said!  

 Enjoying every minute of this cute little grandma of ours!

 And all of my family!

 Dancing and celebrating the New Year!

 Carrying on the traditions that we grew up with!

 And it made me and my kids and Jeff happy!

 Some of us wrote love notes.

 Some played pretty songs on the piano.

 THE MOST WONDERFUL WOMAN I KNOW!

 She's blind, she's alone, yet she still "sees" the good in her life.  Seriously our family is blessed to have such a wonderful example of charity, kindness, goodness, and a christlike grandmother in our lives.

 It was loud and chaotic, and everyone loved every minute of it!  That's what family is about!

 I WILL CHERISH THIS PICTURE FOREVER!

 Telling the girls how beautiful and wonderful they are.

 Dancing to the "ENJOY YOURSELF" song.  Barely enough room to move!  

I LOVE MY FAMILY!  

As we were dancing and singing I looked around at my now grown cousins, and it was like we were all little again.  Singing and dancing as we had done since we can remember.  I pictured in my head for a second us all younger and how much fun we had had and what a wonderful childhood we all enjoyed and the fun traditions and memories that were made.  Mostly at my grandmas house.  Oh how I will forever cherish those memories.  I also realized that this all just didn't happen by chance.  It takes ALOT of work to be festive.  A lot of effort and energy to have such a wonderful family.  There aren't many families like this in the world.  But I am sure as my grandma is now slowing down and is coming to the end of her life, she can sit back and look around and feel comfort in knowing the joy she gave to her children, all of us grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  What a fullfilling feeling to know that you gave everything and did everything for your family.  

This lady right here is what I pray someday to be.  

Checking out Fred in the shed hibernating.  Isn't she the cutest!