Christmas Eve Day

Christmas Eve Day was a busy day for all! I was so grateful for all the help that everyone gave. Everyone was willing to run to the store for things we needed and to help prepare the meals that we had. We prepared a Christmas eve dinner and Jason, Lacey and family came over to spend the afternoon and evening with all of us. We played a white elephant game after dinner that was really fun!

Noah and Cooper got to decorate cookies for Santa right before bedtime and of course after decorating cookies a much needed bath. We were already for Santa.

Carter and Keegan with Rick and I!

Noah and Cooper all ready for Santa and bedtime.

Olivia in her Christmas jammies!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was so fun! First to see what Santa had brought was Keegan and Carter. They loved their little bikes and airport! Next came Noah and Cooper! They got bikes, too! Noah was very interested in the batman car and helicopter. Olivia loved her bouncey jumper that she got from Santa. We had fun opening presents from moms and dads and each other before it was naptime. It was amazing the wrapping paper and fun! Great breakfast, too! Wonderful breakfast casseroles, fruit and muffins.

Carter and Keegan seeing what Santa brought.

Carter on his bike!

Keegan

Cooper looking down the stairs to see if Santa came!

Noah seeing what Santa brought him!

Olivia loving her new jumper from Santa!


And the fun begins.....

Joy and Olivia with her striped stuffed animal!

Christmas Dinner and Presents

We had all of us here for dinner on Christmas day. It was fun sitting the table for nineteen of us . We got everyone up to the table with the exception of the high chairs for Carter and Keegan and Olivia on mom/dad's lap. We opened presents with everyone after dinner and had some yummy cheesecake dessert. Like I said it was a little hectic but it was a wonderful Christmas - Rick and I are so glad that all of our children were able to make it and we were together. It was the first time in two years and we have missed the love and blessings of being together. Thank you everyone for coming. Thank you Matthew, Katie, Brett and Stephanie for taking the long drive out here. We know it is hard with little kids~ Eric and Joy for spending a week and a half with us(thanks for helping me clean) and Jason and Lacey for braving the blizzard! We love you all!

We had a snowstorm Christmas Eve day and Christmas Day was like a blizzard. We are so grateful to 4 wheel vehicles. It helped Jason and Lacey make it over to our home and for Eric and Joy to get back to their vehicle after visiting her parents on Christmas.

Rick decided to treat Brett to snowblowing! You know you've lived in North Dakota when your hubby looks like this when he goes out to snow blow!!!

Oh....Christmas Tree!

This picture makes it look like there is some purple on the tree but it must have been the flash from the camera that made something look purple...No purple just red and gold.
Several people asked me to post pictures of my tree. This year with everyone coming home for Christmas, we decided to get a real tree...all 11 feet of it. I found the perfect tree one day while shopping at a local home store. Because it was so large, I knew I wouldn't have enough ornaments since giving the kids all theirs after they each got married. So I announced to Rick that I was going to decorate the tree the way I wanted this year. It was fun buying ribbon and new huge bulbs. I even put twig branches here and there. This will probably be the last year we will put up such a big tree, so it was fun to decorate. We had a great Christmas with all the family here. Hopefully, I will get some pics posted tomorrow.

Happy Birthday, Kaitlyn

Happy Birthday to a wonderful granddaughter. Kaitlyn turns eight today and we are so happy for her. Eight is a wonderful age and an exciting time with becoming a member of the church and getting baptized. Kaitlyn always has a smile on her face and is such a great sister to her sisters and brother. What a great example she will be for them.
We love you very much, Kaitlyn and wish you a very Happy Birthday.Love, Grandpa and Grandma

Great Job!

Rick has been wanting to put up new lights in our kitchen for quite a while now. So last Saturday, he decided it was time! He took out the track lighting and put in new spot lighting! It makes such a difference and looks great! I must admit I had my doubts that he could do it but he did a great job by himself! I wish he had done it a long time ago. It makes a huge difference in our kitchen.

What a wonderful sound....

http://www.smileypics.cm/

What a wonderful sound....coming from the chapel as I arrived to do my shift at the Family History Center on Saturday. I work every third saturday from 9:30 to 12:00 at the Center. As I walked in I could hear the children singing from the Chapel. I looked in and it was our ward's primary. Kaitlyn immediately saw me, smiled and waved. I got to listen for a few minutes before going to the FHC. Later, I came out to listen some more but they were in the cultural hall decorating cookies. I must admit I have the most adorable grandkids. They excitedly told Grandma about their recent trip to Disney World. They sure had a wonderful time! On Sunday, we got to see the official Primary Sacrament Program. It was so wonderful. Our bishop said he thought it was the best singing he had heard. What a pure and great love these little children showed as they sung about families, temples, Jesus and the gospel. It was a blessing to have been able to hear them sing and talk. A triple fold blessing to Rick and I getting to hear our precious little granddaughters and grandson sing. It's the sound of little angels!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I ran into this card two days ago while going through some things, thought it would be fun to post it! Thanks Stephanie for the memories! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Where's the Visa?

Thinking that I had done a great job decorating my front door last Saturday, I couldn't wait to see what Rick would say about it. I had put up a vinyl sign, "Welcome to our Home" and a fall wreath. Well, I left to go shopping before he saw it. When I got home, he asked me where the Visa was! I thought maybe he was asking how much money did I spend while shopping and maybe he wanted my visa card....Nope, he wanted to know where the visa sign was to go on the front door. He thought my decorated door made our house look like a craft store!!! How Rude!!! I think it looks great!!! Men!!! Sometimes you just have to shake your head!!!

I can't wait to do a Christmas door! Maybe Rick will help me!

What a nice week!

Most weeks it's the same day after day....(weekdays-get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to sleep...weekends-clean house, go to the commissary, do laundry)...but last week we had a very nice end to it. Thursday night Eric came for his interview with UNMC. He was only here for about 36 hours but it was so nice having him here. Then on Saturday we flew out to Denver on the same plane as Eric as he headed back to Utah. We visited with Matthew and Katie for two days. What fun and cute little boys they have! They are so darling and such busy little guys. The weekend was topped off with Eric being given the job as second councilor in the bishopric in his and Joy's ward. We are excited for Eric and the service he can give to his ward.

Happy Birthday, Katie!

Katie's birthday was Saturday! We enjoyed spending the day with her, Matthew and the boys! She is a great wife and mother and we are grateful to have her as part of our family.

We love you, Katie! Thanks for the fun day!