Twas the Day (and Night) Before...

Twas TWO nights before Christmas and Katie woke with a fright - I mean a FEVER. A high one. AGH!! She had just finished antibiotics for strep exactly a week earlier, so the Dr. figured it didn't kill it all and just called in a RX for us. SO, Christmas Eve was a totally relaxing day by all...including Hershey.

We did stick with our tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve. No one felt too sick for that!! We decided this year to let them open their "big" gifts. That for one made it easier for us to get them put together/going before the big morning. Here is Kyle opening his...

An iPod Nano!! How fun!! He has wanted an iPod "with a screen" forever - and never dreamed it would be his gift this year. He loves it!!

And next comes Katie...Her gift was actually the "big" gift under the tree. She was so excited about the size. I did have to remind Kyle (but only once) that when you're 10, big things come in small packages.

A three story barbie house! Can't get much better than that when you're 7!!!

We had a lot of fun setting everything up on the Eve of Christmas.

I'll post more later of our big day today. Merry Christmas everyone!!

Katie's Prayer

So, I'm kinda new to this blogging - and so far, I haven't been very faithful. I have a ton of pictures from December to blog on. We'll see if that happens. I did want to post this one, though. Katie left this prayer out on the counter. I guess it's kind of like a letter to Santa, only this is a prayer to God. The thing is, it happened. We had some ice and snow and NO SCHOOL today. Just like she wanted. Now, what do we do the next time she decides to write a prayer about something she wants. Like a car....

Silver Dollar City

A couple of weeks ago, Kyle, Katie and I met my mom and her husband, Dale, and my cousin, John, and his family down in Branson. We had a great evening at Silver Dollar City, spent the night in a motel, and spent the next day back at Silver Dollar City. We then went back to John and Axi's and spent the night and headed home on Sunday. We had a wonderful time!!



I just had to slip this picture in. Kyle seemed so big to me this weekend. And here he is walking around with his gloves hanging out of his pockets. How cute is he! Aiden, Kyle and Katie at the big clubhouse climbing thing. It was cold - but they didn't seem to mind!

Katie and her cinnamon roll at the motel. Eating on the bed - such a treat!!

King of the bed!! Kyle and his cinnamon roll - all the way IN the bed and eating - does life get any better?!?!

Poppy Time!

When we were in Arkansas a couple of weeks ago, the kids got to spend time with their Poppy (Chris' dad)as well as their cousins. They all had a great time. Poppy is such fun - and a great sport. Here are all the kids ganging up on him with the leaves.

Chris was trying to get some pictures of Kyle and Katie with Poppy. I don't know who is more ornery - Poppy or the kids. But they were having a great time! They were all cracking up!! It's fun to see your kids laughing!
And finally a bit more serious and a cute picture. Here is Kyle, Katie, and Poppy Ron.

Bonfire

Every year my dad hosts a family bonfire. We went last weekend and had a great time! This was a rare year when we were missing only 3 people - my sister's husband, Ron and his son, Zach, and my brother-in-law's son, Andrew. Here are a few pictures showing a great time was had by all! This first one is of the grandkids eating there roasted hotdogs. Yum!

Below - cute family! John, Leslie and baby Marley.

Dad and Anita - the "hosts" of the event.