Goodbye 2014 !!

On this the last day of 2014, we met the three C's and Mike for a quick lunch out. Chris had just come from pre-school and the girls had been doing research about possible fish purchases for the new aquarium that Uncle Superman gave them all for Christmas. After reading and studying about fish, Chloe and Claire had each drawn a picture of the fish they wanted to buy. The plan was to take it to the pet shop and find the ones that looked just like their drawings.

Enjoying their lunches......

Now on to the pet shop and the decision making.....

Making sure they got the correct ones into the bag.....

 

Enjoying the moment....

 

 

Goodbye and see you next year!

 

 

Happy New Year to All!

Christmas Festivities

Christmas festivities seemed to fill the month of December which is the way we all like it! The first grade class spent the final Thursday before school dismissed for break, on the Polar Express  All students wore their pajamas to school and their teacher dressed as the conductor. In addition to the Polar Express story activities, the students waited anxiously while other staff and students of the school located the run-away gingerbread men that had escaped from the first grade classroom before the first school bell. What excitement there was! Below the students gather around as some of the missing gingerbread men were returned to them.

 

Once all of the missing gingerbread cookies had been found the students decorated them and ate them...along with candy canes and hot chocolate!

 

 

On Saturday it was cookie baking and decorating day at Papa and Grandma's with Aunt Suzie! Below the three C's start their decorating with a few pre-baked cookies.

 

 

Taking a little break.....

 

 

 

 

Continuing with their art work.....

 

 

Now it is time to start the Santa faces, a long time tradition of Papa's family. Chris took his work very seriously and did a great job. 

 

 

Completed Santa faces done by a team of bakers and decorators. Good job three C's!!!

 

 

 

Cookie making over and we moved on to a somewhat festive dinner.....

 

 

 

Christmas Eve was spent at Aunt Jenny and Uncle Mark's. What a fun time putting this puzzle together!

 

 

 

The family favorite traditional oyster soup was served along with many other delicious items. Chloe loved the oysters and she and Papa shared quite a few! Down the hatch Miss Chloe!!!!

 

 

 

 

Chris helped out by playing the box drum during a couple of  Christmas carols, coached by cousin Brandon and Aunt Jenny.

 



 

 

 

All three played the bells for a carol or two while cousin Jesse played the drum. All in all it was a great evening of celebrating Jesus' birth!

 

 

The three C's made a gingerbread house with a kit sent to them by Aunt Jenny. 





 

Ahhh...finally Christmas morning has arrived! Lots of great gifts.....

 

 

 

Uncle Superman Jon got the three C's a fish aquarium. 

 

Another Christmas has passed but not without leaving us with lots of good times and memories. Hopefully the true message of the season stays with all of us for some time. We continue to be so thankful.....Hope you had a wonderful Merry Christmas as well.

 





December Joy!

I love December! Not only because I am excited to celebrate the birth of Jesus but because of the sounds, sights, smells, and opportunities that are everywhere. Last year Papa Norm and I traveled to South America on a wonderful vacation during most of December and when we returned we decided we would not do that again. We really enjoyed our trip but missed out on so many activities at home. One of those activities is having the grandchildren come to our home to decorate the tree. Honestly, at this point in our lives, we would be happy with a tiny little tree (or no tree) but they enjoy decorating a tree FOR us and so we will continue with the tradition until they tire of it. This year from the moment they arrived  they were on task. Claire took a minute to change into her favorite dress from the fancy box but other than that they forged ahead! They did a fine job with only one broken ornament and as sad as it made them, I just thought about how it was one less ornament to pack away again.

 

 

 

Posing with the finished tree......

 

 

 

 

The following day Christopher and I made a cake while the girls spent hours making handmade items to add to the tree. I gave them a box of ribbon and with paper, glue, scissors, and crayons,and they were busy and happy the entire day. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures. That evening we attended our local Christmas light parade.

 





 

 

 

This past week was the Christmas musical presentation at Christopher's preschool. He did such a great job of singing and we were very proud of his efforts. This sweet little video shows Chris when he first came in. His eyes were darting all around looking for Mike and Paula. He is the one with the cape and red ribbon tie.  A few moments after this video ends (due to the boy jumping up and down in front of me) he spots them and his countenance changed completely! It was one of those Kodak moments only I didn't get it on the film!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris ringing bells with one of the songs....

 



 

 

Santa Claus has just entered. The children couldn't take their eyes off of him.

 





 

Claire in her pretty red dress with a brooch that was Great Grandma Olga's. She was very proud to wear it. 

 

 

A short visit with Santa Claus where Chris proceeded to tattle on Chloe about something....I guess he just wanted to make sure the record was straight!

 

 

 

Yesterday the three C's took part in Christmas music for two of our church services. They did a great job and we enjoyed seeing them on stage. Following church we went out to lunch to celebrate Paula's birthday. Aunt Suzie was there and so of course that made it more fun for the kiddos. Here they are dressed for church.

 

 

Merry Christmas to you!