HOLIDAY SEASON

Well Christmas has come and gone! I must say I am already missing the Christmas music on the radio! It is my favorite and I could sing every song! Yes my children do get sick of hearing me sing, especially after a month of it! Ashton says it gives him a headache!

Our travels started on Friday before Christmas. We traveled all night to end at my in laws home. There we had a small Christmas. We don't exchange gifts anymore. His parents basically hand out $100 bills to the 5 teens and my children got a trampoline this year. His mother still wanted to have them open something so she got them each a new Webkinz. Water animals so they could have a water room! We had a non traditional dinner, but for us it has been tradition to have Mexican food for dinner. It was yummy! Then early the next morning (Sunday) we headed to see my family! At my mother's where my brother and his new baby, my Dad, Sister and a few other extras were there! We had a great time opening presents and eating a prime rib dinner! I had Lonnie take a few pictures of my sibs and my mom and dad. FYI my parents are no longer married but are still really great friends and consider each other family! It is amazing how well they get along!

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Here is me, my bro and sis. I am the oldest then my bro, CHAD and my sis KERI. Go figure they got the short names! I got the long one! Even though, I still love my unique name!

Here is my bro, his new son Jackson and his wife Sarah. My brother is soo bad at pics. he blinked like 5 times! I gave up! this is to show you Jackson!(he is 9 wks old)

Then around 7 pm it was time to head back to KC. Then on the way Lonnie informed me that he was coming down with something! As of today he is still sick and has lost 18 lbs since that night. It was the last full solid meal he had! I do believe he is on his way to recovery...he did break down and get a really strong antibiotic! I can now only pray that it will help heal is body and get rid of this infection!

Come Christmas eve. I realized that my kids had not been to see Santa yet. Nathan has never got to go tell Santa what he wants. So we took off in the early afternoon to see him at Basspro shop! Which was awesome! If you want to see the picture go to www.basspro.com/santaphotos and the pass code is batch#B636 Photo#55 386. Later that day I took the kids to 4pm church service. There they told the story of Jesus' birth. To my surprise Ashton sat thru the entire thing! I was impressed. Nathan was a little wiggly, as it was the wiggle service! That evening we had a lovely dinner and the kids got to open their Christmas PJS!!

By Christmas morning I was exhausted. Since Lonnie had been sick I had to do EVERYTHING by my self! Please no pity! So I told the kids I would not get out of bed until the coffee was made. I don't know who ended up making it, but it was done when I came down!

I wanted a White Christmas and I got it! It had snowed just a bit the day before! So really to me that was a gift!

I didn't get much pictures of the boys because...well you know they can't stay still for one photo!

This would be Ashton posing with his Lincoln Logs! Way too excited!

At least here you can see who he is!

Yes, I had my shopvac ready to go!

Nathan was a little better, but then I realized my lens needed cleaned!

The Girls showing off there new "bags" ! Every girl loves a new bag! Right? I know I do, so that is what I got a new Vera Bradley bag and wallet! It was between that or a new pair of Keen boots! I guess the boots will have to wait until my birthday coming up in January! yay!

As well that ends well! Now that the Christmas season is over it becomes birthday marathon for our family! It is Raegan and Lonnie's on Dec 31, Ashton's is January 30 and mine in January also! WHOA!! Now I am gearing up for a slumber party for eight 8-9 year old girls! Please pray for me! LOL!

I am looking forward to a new year! I am wishing all of you Good Karma, Good Health, Good friendships, Joy, Happiness, Peace and Love!

Until next time,

G

Snow Day...well kind of...

Today we had a snow day, well...kind of. Funny story. I was in bed this morning with a migraine...Lonnie was getting the girls up for school as usual. It looks like this outside. He assumes there is no school. One of the news stations reported that "Shawnee" didn't have school... well we are a totally different district with a weird number to it. So I am thinking all day, and remember I am doped up on meds with a migraine...that school is cancelled....until the school nurse calls to see "why" my girls are not in school!! I asked her if "she was serious" She probably thought I was little nutty, which I was. I AM. So her is what it looks like out my front window... Does that look like two little inches of snow? Heck no, you can't even tell where the street is...so whatever!

So being the totally awesome mom that I am....I let the kids do Gingerbread "graham cracker" houses!! What a blast! I even whipped up some royal icing to put them together!! Lonnie picked up all the candy for us and brought it over. Got stuck in the snow one time, but made it safely to and from!

Below is Nathan's house... He did not waste anytime decorating it.. Next we have Raegan's! She made some wonderful snowman Santa's for hers!

This one is Sydney's... she likes the more is better approach!

Now we have Ashton's...He went for the less is more minimalist approach. Which is unusual for him because he is such in indecisive thinker!

I was sooo proud of them all. It is a great tradition that I have started with my kids. Something that I hope they will carry with them forever and continue with their children! And now they are all displayed on our new "Vintage or Antique Player Piano" I have bought several Christmas Songs to play on it. Since NO ONE in our house can play yet! It is so wonderful to hear. It reminds me of the days my Granny would play for us at Christmas! One day I hope to carry on that tradition.

(This is a picture of it still in the garage of the people we bought it from)

And now for the Most Grand item in our house... We got a REAL Christmas Tree this year!! Here is a view from my balcony from upstairs! We did red, white and blue lights and the kids made all sorts of ornaments, which you can't see from this view. It is amazing and smells great. Until Next time.... Have a Merry Christmas and may all your families be blessed in so many ways!

Gretchen