What a Merry Christmas, It Was!

We are the flexible family!

Since most of the party lives with us

we arrange our schedule as much as possible 

for the big kids.

They have their own family and 

the other side of the family, 

to figure out the holiday schedule.

Somehow, it all miraculously works out!

(Thank you Jesus!)

It was such a blessing to have 

4 of our 5 big kiddos 

celebrating with us on Christmas!

My assembly line for our Christmas cards!

My mailmen!

They walked 2 blocks in the blustery cold,

to our mailbox!

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat 

nor gloom of night 

stays these couriers from the swift completion 

of their appointed rounds" 

Our bakers...

 and cooks!

The number of outstanding helpers 

that I have, amazes me!
I am so thankful for that!

This year we may have made tooooooo

many sweets!

Unfortunately, one of us is having a hard time 

staying away from the sweets...

Sheepishly she says, "The diet starts tomorrow!"

This year, the schedule was totally different! 

We had all our baking done and gifts wrapped

sooooo

on Christmas Eve morning we...

went to the movie Jumanji

in our ugly Christmas sweaters!

Then we immediately got dressed for church!

We had 3 servers and 4 in the children's choir!

 Church was beyond wonderful,

as always!

Once home it was picture time

in our Christmas clothes!

Since the kids are older, 

we did't get new holiday outfits for them.

 We wore what they already had

 and it worked out, just fine!
(I had purchased enough in the past!)

(except maybe me... I did get a new red shawl/poncho)
Mr. and Mrs. Claus!
I love Santa!

That evening we made the food 

for Christmas Day

and put out all of the gifts!

It was such an enjoyable day!

Peaceful, meaningful and we were all ready

to celebrate with the rest of the family!

On Christmas morning we

opened just the kids 

living at home gifts!

Each kiddos got 2 gifts!

They are all getting older,

so the only toys/games were really for 

the boys and younger two girls.

We picked names from a hat and 

went in that order for opening gifts!

They were very patient and enjoyed their moment!

After our present opening fun, the others arrived!

We had a delicious brunch

and then the 

GAMES BEGAN!

Mary asked for an American Girl doll for Christmas!

It was her first one and 

we were overjoyed to give it to her!

They was lots of lounging

and conversations!

The younger boys set up a cribbage and chess tournament!

The kids at home had a pool tournament!

Winners announced soon!

We were beyond excited 

that our family in Colorado 

traveled to join us for Christmas day!

We haven't been able 

to travel since August 

to see any of our Grands...

So Thanksgiving with one family

and Christmas with this family

was a blessing beyond belief!

She is absolutely precious!

I think she likes her sparkle play doh 

and cookie making set!

We may have received

specific instruction not to give

Frozen 2 things...

but I don't remember?

We did know, 

 that she LOVES

everything Frozen 2!

So of course...

we didn't have a choice!

Our job is to give our grandchildren

what they really really want!

So we can have 

HUGS LIKE THIS!

I remember when we were young parents...

The grandparents would come to our house 

with so many gifts, 

most of them being large pieces of colorful plastic... 

Our 5 kiddos LOVED everything

they got...

we were not as thrilled and thinking

where are we going to put this?

I guess parents are made to be sensible

and grandparents are made to be fun...

(at least we are trying)!

I am thankful to have photos...

so I can feel the joy 

just looking at them!

All kids grow up too fast...

thankfully,

God made grandchildren!

By the look on Johnny's face...

the cribbage game is taking a turn for the worse.

Wife vs Husband...

It was a close match but Billy came out on top!

He learned his cribbage skills from Kelly.

I guess she is a really good teacher!

Mark seems quite happy with his cards!

As our kids at home get older they

are really enjoying the big sibs in a different way.

No more wrestling and crawling all over them,

instead great conversation and belly laughs!

 Such a blessing seeing 

our precious granddaughter 

playing with her Aunts and Uncle!

Then we gathered for grown up gift opening!

We gave our big kids soap 

made by a homeschooling entrepreneur friend of ours!

Thank you Karen Tautges Parisian!

Made from their own goats milk 

and ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS!

You may see her products in our local stores 

and I am sure she will take orders over the internet!

Thank you Rapha Farms!

Maple syrup from the trees behind our home!

Our neighbors make maple syrup!

Plus gift cards and a book!

Hubby and I were blessed with a family canvas,
books, gift certificates,
a beautiful angel made by an adorable 3 yr old,
photos of our granddaughters,
an ornament for a tiny little one yr old hand,
an invite for appetizers at one of our bigs home
and dinner out together!
It couldn't have been better!

The kids gave them water bottles 

signed by their new BFF, 

Robert Covington from the

Timberwolves!

 Abby I vs Madeline M

     The final winners were (drum roll)...
Cribbage- Billy,
second place goes to Kelly!
Chess- Ben,
second place goes to Sam!
Kids Pool- Sam,
second place goes to Anna!

First placers won a gift card to a coffee shop!

Auntie Barbie joined us!

Love getting as many "together" photos as possible!

Big family pics 

ROCK!

Looks like the Aunties and Uncle 

are enjoying El's sparkle play doh!

 This sweet one, just woke up from her nap!

It's Junie's turn for present opening!

Just opening the package is a highlight for little one!

She is cherished by all of us!

Yay! A bright color something or other!
Junie loves cows!
So, of course we had to get her
a blowup cow that she can ride!
The picture on the box thrilled her!
It will be blown up once they get back home!

She LOVES having stories read to her!

Thank you Cheryl for your thoughtfulness over the Holidays!
The kids love the glow in the dark ping-pong set!

Love this new canvas of us 

with our kiddos that live at home!

We missed this sweet family
at Christmas time but
are thankful we had them for
 Thanksgiving!

A treasured canvas of hubby and I!

Thank you Kathryn Lee Photography!

Christmas Blessings from our home to yours!

Goodnight!