Celebrations

This past weekend, we went over to Pensacola again to throw my parents a 60th birthday party. They do not look or act their age at all and we are so thankful to have such youthful parents! We had lots of fun and realized that this is the first time we've ever thrown them a party. Mom turned 60 two weeks before dad and they're having a blast. 60 brings them 4 grown children, 2 grandbabies and one on the way, 2 sons-in-law, continued health and happiness, tons of wisdom (and kids who want to hear it!). We love you, mom and dad! Keep on keepin' on!

Brian has been busy increasing his gun collection and learning everything about them. Of course he wants to go hunting soon...! But, in the meantime, he's gotten dad, the brothers and the brother in law out to the shooting range the past two times we've been to Pensacola. It's great to see our men having a blast - no pun intended!

A Delightful Chrismas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! We had all decided to make it not so big and I'm so thankful we did. Even the girls didn't get a ton of stuff, which made for not having to find places to put all the new things! I am certainly enjoying the week after to clean and just relax, though! Ellie's favorites have been a paper doll set from Abuela, a Haystacks memory game from Gramma D and Grampa T and Chutes and Ladders from Granpa John and Granma Geri. Of course, she's been playing on the swingset a ton - what a blessing! Aubrey was quite happy that Santa remembered to bring her some bows for all that hair! Julie and Brian finally got some red wine glasses, thanks to Julie's sister, Amy, among many other thoughful gifts. Ellie and Mommy enjoyed quite a bit of baking on Christmas Eve and Daddy made a delicious Lowcountry Boil that we all agreed should become tradition! Most of all, we were overjoyed to spend great quality time with family since that's what it's all about! Here's Aubrey with a bow!

A Frugal Christmas Game

When I got to Pensacola yesterday, my mom pulled out a Christmas memory game that she had made to play with Ellie. I had forgotten; but she did these a lot with us when we were little. Just take a piece or two of heavier paper and draw a grid on it with 2" x 2" squares. Then, (this is the only thing you may have to buy) get some Christmas stickers that have enough variety to make at least ten different pairs. For the younger kids, stickers with characters are probably easier. For older kids, you could probably use snowflakes with different variations or something to make it a little harder. Place one sticker in each square, cut the squares and - voila! - you've got a Christmas memory game. Ellie is three and she and I played a couple times today. She loved it!

Christmas for the Kids - and the Firemen!

Last Friday, we had a Christmas party for the kids at Autumn's house (thanks again for letting our kids trash your kitchen floor!) The kids decorated cookies while the moms did a kids craft - it involved too much hot glue and attention for the kids! Then we took the cookies to our local fire station where the kids sang 'We Wish you a Merry Christmas' and 'Jingle Bells' to the firemen on duty. They (the kids and the firemen) were delighted and we were treated to tours of the fire truck as an added bonus. What a blast!