Celebrate

Christmas was easy this year.

Not having snow made it easy to cut evergreens and dried flowers for the outside decorations.


Conley helped me decorate the tree and she really was a big help. Thanks, Conley.


I slowly put decorations around the house and shopped early enough to get packages sent out on time.



We attended two of Conley's Christmas programs and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at church. The music and prayers and meeting with others who love the Lord and celebrate in their spirit the birth of our Savior touched our hearts and souls. This was a peaceful and a thankful Christmas.

We had an hour of Christmas Skype in Colorado and loved seeing the grandchildren and Dan and Angie open gifts we sent and showing our excitement for the gifts they sent us. And for the first time, my sister and I visited and opened gifts with Skype on Christmas Eve.

Chris, Kim, Jack and Natalie came to town Christmas night so Mike, Joy and Conley came for brunch and gifts the next day.



It really is all about the little ones. They know we are celebrating Jesus birth and yet they have no conflict with Santa bringing gifts.



While I fixed Christmas dinner, Tom took Conley and Jack to see Santa's reindeer. Jack asked where Santa was and why the reindeer were lying down.



We even had a Christmas miracle. Joy brought her dog over Christmas night and left her outside. She is an old dog with arthritis and moves pretty slow and rarely leaves their yard. When they were ready to leave, the dog was no where in sight. They searched for an hour in the dark of night for this black dog, calling her name with no success. Conley was pretty upset that her dog was missing as they left for home, so they stopped and prayed that the Lord would watch over CC and keep her safe through the night. Mike decided he should turn the opposite way than the route home and a half mile down the road was their lost dog. Such a relief and a reminder that God hears our prayers.

Well like all visits the days go by swiftly and its time to leave. Jack can't keep his eyes off our dusting of snow.



The house is quiet now but we have memories of love and laughter. Jesus is the reason for the season and I am so thankful for His love and care over us and our family.

A Family Gathering

It's been two years since our sons and their families and Tom and I have been together at the same time. Chris and Kim opened up their beautiful new home for our reunion!



It's as if we have never been apart, the grandchildren are instant playmates and loved seeing their cousins. Everyone had toys that scattered everywhere and everyone shared! The only shy one was Monty, the cat who climbed to a high window ledge.

Now this is pure joy! A night time story with the grandchildren, priceless!

The big event was a pumpkin land in the countryside of west Chicago, somewhere. Everyone enjoyed rides, pig races, tractors, mazes, cotton candy, train rides, junk food, and even what Angie called a "corn box." So here we go...



First stop - getting an all family photo and all grandchildren photo. That "cheese" thing we do for smiley photos looks painful!
Now lets try out some rides...






and slides....


So what would a farm be without at least a tractor? Hudson who always likes to figure out how things work is interested...

Natalie walked, walked, walked and the pumpkin field drew her in like a magnet.

Such a surprise that corn could be so much fun:





It's come to this, Tom and I ride the rocking chair!


What a wonderful time we had together, but it's so true for those times we look forward to for weeks, they seem to fly by in moments. This is life, love and family. We are so blessed.

Princess Party

Once upon a time in a mid-western town lived a pretty little princess who wanted to throw a party for all her friends and family.


The first guest arrives and gets a royal welcome!!!

The banners are readied for those on the Royal Guest List


After signing in, the princess's friends begin to design their very own royal door knob markers.


This day is as beautiful as the princess herself and the party guests need to run, jump, swing and hula hoop off some of their energy and excitement.





This princely guest is taking a break from all the activity before the royal games begin.


The races are on and the her highness's photographer is in attendance along with the ladies in waiting.



The banquet of sweets is ready to begin but first Princess Conley blows out the candles that confirm this is her 5th birthday!

This little princess sure draws a crowd while she opens the many gifts from all her party guests.



To thank her guests for coming, she opens a Princess pinata filled with treats that all children love to eat.


All the children left with sweet memories of fun and friends and live happily ever after.

Barber Shop

I love this barber shop, so cute, so friendly and so Western. Not what I remember from my childhood in Alpena.



The barber shop of yesteryear was pretty much a man's place. I remember waiting for my father and brother to have their hair cut. Not much fun for a child. All hair business.

These little guys have lady barbers and children's programing on television. Hudson really doesn't like having his hair cut so he tolerates it and then saddles up while he waits for his brothers.


Tucker is a little less reluctant but I don't think its his favorite thing. Seems the cartoons are a pretty good distraction.


Now,Cooper seems to actually enjoy getting his hair cut and has some definite ideas, he wants a spiky look.


So what is a sister to do while waiting for these brothers to get their hair cut?
Claire knows, she gets comfortable and eats candy.


Yea candy is better than the smoky barber shops of the 50s!