Christmas Eve excursion

Over the river and thru the woods, to grandmother's house we go...

but first, a quick visit to Aunt Linda's bustling house(this is where the Y reunion was a few weeks earlier)...where we got to see Kara and Jason, Hannah, Josie, and Cameron and 87 other people...including Kara's brother, Jeff and his lovely fiancee Erin, pictured above, on either side of E. Warm congratulations on your engagement, lovelies. It was so nice to see you ALL...and look forward to seeing you all again, come June 2009!

Melanie, Abigail, and Alexandra!

Nathan and Emilie...horsin' around

Amy's friend, John, with Adelaide...whatta nice little smile for the camera, A.

Natalie with Molly, Matt, Sarah, and Mel, with the devil red eyes...

I feel that the Charlie Brown Christmas music should be inserted here..

we played a "rousing" game of charades...and then Catch Phrase...good times, good times.

this actually happened upon first arriving but my pix are kinda outta order...

mm mmmm good eatin...steak, humongous baked potatoes...I mean, these were as big as a baby's head. delish...good meal, Mom Y...all that hard work slaving in the kitchen was not in vain!

Natalie and the boys, sporting matching earth tones...greens, browns...there was a theme and I missed that memo and wore gray.

thanks, Uncle Matt, for the cool kid tough camera! Levi has had lots of fun taking pics of people's (clothed) bums and such.

Will in his cool air soft gun garb...

more charades and such.

this is the only pic that I got of Miss Cool Whip...she took advantage of all of the grown ups being distracted and dug into the tub of whip...she did not like being pulled away. drama brat.

Molly was fascinated with Adelaide's thick, dark hair! A. was a good sport!



we got home from Illinois at 3 a.m. and I still had all of the Christmas morning wrapping to do...someone pleeeease remind me NOT to do that next year! O man, that was tuff!


stockings were laid on the couch with care...

the captions pretty much explain our Christmas Eve adventures...

It was a rather air-sucked right outta your lungs kinda day..since I seemed to procrastinate on every front this year....note to self...don't do THAT again! We got our stuff done around the homestead, David worked and we left to take clothes to him and head to Illinois at about 4 pm.

I wish it was that easy. the clothing he told me to bring him was rather casual. but I brought it anyways...and thought he knew what he was doing. He walked out of his workplace, and stood on the sidewalk...and told me that he looked "gay"...meaning, weird...no offense intended...so long story short...we drove alllllllllllll the way back home...he changed, Levi pooed his pants and we were able to change him and get new tights for Molly, who had discovered a hole in her other ones and made it way bigger. ahhh. starting off on a rotten foot.

Ok, let's do that again...call Kara and family, tell them we were running late....get to their house at 6 ish Illinois time...I think. I dunno. It's all blurry to me....had a very nice visit with the T and D families...but too short! I'm just thankful that I got to see you guys at all! You all are such fun to be around! really. I mean it.

Got out to G-town to the cabin in the woods at 7:15 or so....Illinois time....8 our time...almost Molly's bedtime....imagine this.

ate a delish meal of steak and such...Thanks, Mom and Dad...good food and good fellowship!

Games, presents, dessert, Molly in buckets of whipped cream....whew...a good time for all. I think we were a good argument for BIRTH CONTROL! yah! I know I was. This girl makes me tired. And I'll say it again...good, very good thing that she is so amazingly cutesy. I'da kilt her by now. you know I joke. but she's something ELSE. Are you sure this isn't your kid, Beck?

We are heading out tonight to visit the downtown Indpls circle....wanna see the circle of lights before it's gone for this year! pictures, sights, pizza and hopefully coffee in there somewhere...and eventually, when I'm caught up, BLOGGIN' it!

Hope you all have had a lovely Christmas and look forward to the coming New Year. Get yer rezzzzzolutions ready! Big hugs from this tired, yet JOYFUL blogger!

Melanie's piano recital and other 12/23 events

Mel, waiting her turn...looking nervous and white

doing a piano duet with her lovely teacher, Mrs. S.

this punk, er I mean, adorably cute, innocent and sweet girl o' mine...fell asleep whilst eating her health food. I though french fries would shut her er, I mean, calm her irate spirit..instead, they put her to sleep. which was good. take a good look though, this was her ONLY nap on this day..and it lasted for 20 minutes. she's non-stop anyways but her naps are my reset button. oh, she's a tough cookie. (the boys did stage this picture a little bit)

~Tuesday was Melanie's piano recital at a local retirement home...It was a very nice event and the only reason I got the few pix I did was because of the sleeping troll above. Annie was there, fellow blogger Charmaine's daughters were there playing also (hope you are feeling better, Charmaine) but Molly had other plans and I ended up in the other room with Dervish.

That day we got some freezing rain, which really put a damper on my last minute scurrying. Then, later that evening, my entire immediate family, minus my two sweet nephews and one sweet niece, descended on The Cheesecake Factory. Noisy restaurant, delish food, awesome service, 15 of the people I hold most dear in my life, one of which includes Molly, my napless, testy anyways daughter. And her newfound ability to scream and break glass. ugh. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the delicious dinner...I know I didn't get a chance to appropriately thank you that night because I was ready to put a chokehold on someone. well not really but kinda. (you know who you are MCY)

Gotta get this all documented before I put it out of my mind forever! it's on it's way out...I will say this, I am most relieved to get back to some normalcy. whatever that is.

On to Wednesday...and o what fun it is to blog!

Onto a visit with my family including Andy & Christy

handsome dudes...wrapped up in some Nickolodeon show...

Andrew and Christy

Nora Bean, gnawing on crust

let's all congregate at the front door...

Andy and a couple of his nieces.

The crew, hanging with the guy (my father of course) in the bright yella sweater...won't you guide my sleigh tonight?

Molly, with one of her more intelligent expressions...uh duh, who is this guy?


After our dear friends, Twila and Gonzo, left...our next stop in the busy week of Christmas celebrating was up to my lovely sister's home to eat and visit with my brother and his gal. They flew in from California that very evening. again, warm weather folks making the trek to the frozen tundra...kinda makes me laugh to see them all chilled and stuff...

Christy is Chinese, the Malaysian part...she has been teaching us some fun Chinese/Mandarin words...but my fave, by far is Ma-ma foo-foo...which means so so. She has really long, extremely thick black hair...it's amazing. She's pretty tall too...I was expecting her to be a shorty, like myself. She's very good with all of our kids and she can squat down (like Molly in those drive way pix, remember??) like it's nothing and get up and walk again, with out seeing white spots in front of her eyes or feeling like she was going to pass out.

So these pix are only from Monday...I have the rest of the week to get caught up on so I'd better run. Hope this finds you recuperating from a whirlwind week of joyous Christmas celebrations!

A visit with Twila and Gonzo...

You guys rock...all of ya.

playing peek-a-boo, climb thru the stool edition, with Twila. that sounds kinda weird, doesn't it?

Sniff sniff...I miss these kids.

They moved to Florida back in 2005...They knew how to party with us...I know I've showcased them on here from New Year's past...dancing, making great faces, going to late night movie openings with us, building gingerbread houses, and the list goes on.

They live down where it's warm ALL THE TIME. You should have seen them shivering and shaking while they were here! :) I thought Gonzo might implode he was so not used to our midwestern chill. :)

They both met Molly for the first time (in the flesh anyways...they do read the blog now and then so HI GUYS)

They stopped in on their way to visit southern Indiana relatives...so THANKS GUYS, for taking the time out of your already crazy busy day, to come by for a visit.

My favorite part was watching Molly check them out, and you could tell she was like "Um, should I know these folks?"...she didn't take long to warm up to Twila. And who wouldn't...especially when she so bravely trucked Molly's shopping cart across the upstairs floor, back and forth in some high-heeled kicks. talent. sheer talent. she could be a Rockette!

Wish we could've given you more time, kids...when it rains cool people, it seems to pour cool people! Hope you had a Merry Christmas with your Aunt, uncle, cousins, mom, sister, nieces...etc. We'll visit you next...down there in Miami....sounds good right about now.

We'll start at the back of the bus...

Sunday:

Mom and Pops came down for a little hang out time last night. we drank some coffee, mom knitted my scarf, we all watched "Christmas at Yellowstone"...and I tried to grab the reins to the week that was knocking at my door...but isn't this a sweet scene? Will's all snuggled on the floor, E. has a scarf on with his bathrobe, Mel's all blanketed laying next to her Pa. Levi and Molly were out of the scene, but never fear, they were there, off destroying my room.

All of our lovely children sang "Do You Hear What I Hear?" for the finale of their production.

Ethan read John 19:28-30

Will read in John 19: 10 through ? I know he was right before E

The preschoolers sang "You are the Lamb of God" and it was quite cute...

Can you see Levi peeking up behind that child's shoulder? He wouldn't stay visible. Caroline, our friends' little girl in the red jumper, was quite fearless! You go, girl!

Ethan and Will's scene from the skit...this group was the "good kids" that realized what the true meaning of Christmas was and tried to find ways to put the focus back on why we really celebrate CHRISTmas.

Mel's scene...these kids were the ungrateful, selfish kids that hoped they didn't get the Barbie Make up game and fruitcake again this year. (I'm not implying in ANY way that any of these kids are this way....they were acting)

Saturday:

Do you like my haircut? I did it myself. O MY GOODNESS. David did clean it up a bit but it looks unusually short! plus he has his scar right there as well...so it's extra goofy. nice job, Tiny.

who do these orphans belong to?





Friday:

The lovely, glowy candles that soothed our battle weary souls at the K's house. yes, we did sing Kum-by-Yah together! (not really but we thought about it)

Mr. K took the whirling dervish off my hands for a few minutes and he even got her to sleep. (this was about midnight here)

I be lovin' your Elmo clips, Tambo.

After dinner, went back to the church to pick up our kiddies and visited with the churchfolk, who were having a white elephant exchange. We would've participated but we had already planned to grab a bite to eat...and after that crazy week, I wasn't giving that up too quickly.

craaaaazay girls. :)

preschoolers practice...and yes, Levi is crouching down behind Caroline (in red)...and yes, that little dude next to her is in his pj's. Whatta smart little dude...came prepared, in case he fell asleep in the car! comfort is KEY!

Well, good Monday morning to Ya and a cold one it is, huh? it's all of ONE degree here according to my bimputer. argh. too cold for even this girl. Hope you are finding ways to stay warm and toasty! That song, Baby, it's Cold Outside is very applicable right now. Can't believe Christmas is in THREE days. My little bro, Andy and his gal, Christy, will arrive here from Sunny California today...won't they be surprised at the temperature difference?

The weekend was a whirlwind, as can be expected this time of year....Friday was baking day...and play practice and Mom and Dad date time with the K's. a low key but much needed event, all while our kids were practicing a few doors down. We then hung out with the K's for a bit and stayed until David could barely hold his head up. Thanks, folks, for the fellowship and fun.

Saturday was cleaning day and I ended up shopping with Mom and Beck in Edinburgh that evening....David cut E and Levi's hair and Levi ended up finishing the job up a bit more. He used those little tiny manicure scissors...he's a patient dude, I'd say.

Sunday was the kids' Christmas program at church, always a good time and very cute! Good Job, Jill and April...kids? You too! All of ya! Even you, Levi. Hiding child that you were. After church, we went to B's house for my 36th birthday party (o man, did that sound old or WHAT?)...Creamy crockpot chicken for me, sandwiches and chips for the rest. ha ha. I got a nifty green coat, leather gloves, a sterling silver initial necklace, Target $, $ from my bro, and a cool floor lamp...thanks EVERYBODY! o yah, that ring I got back in November? that was also for my birthday from D. and the kids...I think they contributed to that! My birthday parties are always kinda weird, being so close to Christmas and all...choose JOY. yup, that's what we need to do.

David and I went to meet Claire Noelle. He left for work shortly after arriving and I stayed for 2.5 hours! Nice visiting with ya, C. Your newest family member is a beauty and o so cuddly soft! I did feel the need to have another for a few minutes, but then I remembered Molly back home and that was it for me. Claire, stay sweet and squeaky. soak it up, soak it up. Thank you for letting me hold her and enjoy the silence at your home! ahh, heavenly peace at it's best!

Onward ho! Home I go..and boy, lemme tell you, it was freakily cold outside. Tory was down in North Carolina washing her car and I was up in Indiana feeling cold and scared by how strong and eery the wind was. It was 4 degrees on my way home...so spooky to me. After a bit, mom and daddio came for some down time...and we enjoyed a quiet evening at home till David returned after 10 pm. Good Job, David!

Christmas week, here we come. ready or not! and I'm soo very not ready.

Sorry for the dreadfully drawn out post..I have to do this for recall's sake. I don't want to ever forget moments like this...it's what keeps me from doing it again. ha ha. just kidding.

A good weekend all in all. Hope you have a blessed Christmas week and that you find a few moments in all the hectic stuff to reflect on all the blessings in your life and praise the One who gave them to you.

Luke 2:14: Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

one of my favorite verses from the Christmas Scriptures is this: Luke 2:19 - But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. It's amazing to imagine what that young girl must have been thinking....get your head around THAT.