good bye 2013

 Good Night and Good Bye 2013! It has been a year of great growth at our house. We look forward to what 2014 will bring. No matter what we know we can handle what life brings as a family of six. What a great group of kids we have and we truly feel blessed. May 2014 be filled with great love and blessings to each of you reading our blog.

home Christmas!

 Home Christmas was after our travels ended. The kids were ready for bed early on the Saturday we arrived home. Pete and I transformed the living room into gifts galore.
The kids coming down the stairs is priceless. Each of their faces tell a different story!

 The many faces of Christmas follow. I think we fulfilled many requests and we had some very happy children.

 PJ is such a goof ball, that bow on the side of his head was there for quite awhile!

My mom tied this fleece blanket for Brie! It was a total hit and she loves it! IN fact for the rest of gift opening she left it on and had others bring gifts to her!

 It is fun to be able to still get a 10 year old a toy that she will love! Maggie was equally pleased as well!

 Brie was the happiest 3 year old this Christmas, she is in love with this holiday!

 PJ's favorite Christmas present was his light saber! He did not need to open any more gifts after this one!

 The girls each got horses for their dolls and have been in heaven since!

These kids had a fantastic Christmas, thank you to each one who had a part in making this holiday special for them. From cards to gifts to simply giving them a hug they had a very good Christmas!

Granny and Pop sent one final gift with us to open at home. Obviously the kids were over the moon happy with the tickets to Adventureland! Thank you  thank you!

ice skating

A good number of us went ice skating. It has been two years since we have had on skates and this is Brie's first time skating. While we all started by holding the wall, we were able to skate independently except Brie by the end. PJ wiped out once really hard and still has a bruised elbow as proof, however he went right back out after the fall. Brie did not want to stop and I could not wait to get my skates off! Pete was our picture taker this time. Thanks for the photos honey!

family pictures

 Pete's family desired a family picture and these are the final results of our efforts. I think they turned out very well . The whole family above all 21 of us! It is fun to have pictures with grandmother Nadine in them.

 a grandkid shot, not too bad considering all the young people we had to make smile!

 one of just the kids

 a picture of the six of us.
All in all I think the pictures turned out great! I am excited to print a few and see how we did with doing them at home.

Granny and Pop's Christmas

 Christmas at Granny and Pops happens every 2 years. That is how it has gone, the four kids and their families make it home and stay for a period of time every other year. It is amazing how much everyone grows up in two years. My parents in laws house is just beautiful at the holidays, every room has been touched by the Christmas spirit. It may just be a candle holder or pillow but it is the little things that make it beautiful.

 The littles were just too cute to not put up their pictures! They just strike a pose so easily right now and I know these days are going to come to an end. Their older sisters are not nearly as happy about getting their pictures taken!

 Brie especially could be found around her favorite "poppy". They both are stealing a few snuggles here!

So an addition this year is this beautiful young lady. Pete's grandmother from California has recently relocated to the midwest. We were blessed to have her at our family Christmas. While we did meet her at Thanksgiving I left the camera lay as she does not like getting her pictures taken. However this time I had to take pictures. Each of the kids deserve to have one photo of her with them. 

 They are going thru some of her cards and gifts from friends in California and around the country. Grandmother's face would light up at times as Barb would read aloud the letters written.

 Pete with two of his favorite nieces! These little girls were our flower girls I swear just last year! where does the time go??

 A few of the girl cousins.
Pizza from our favorite pizza place! How many cousins can we fit around the table? you have to understand, we when get together we all stay between two houses and spend the majority of the time totally together. It is a big long giant play date! so fun!

 It is Zach sandwich between his momma and his auntie!

Bonding time with Auntie Kel over legos!

Santa prep and arrival

Our Santa prep included sprinkling reindeer food, setting a key as Grandma does not have a chimney and picking just the right carrots and cookies.  Of course we did not remember our food or key but Elfie came to the rescue and delivered our needed essentials.

 Santa arrived as desired and everyone's stockings were filled with lots of fun. The kids were happy with each of their things.

 Brie decided to sleep until 10 so she got to open her stocking by herself. This was no problem for her as then she could lay everything out just the way she wanted to.

 Close ups of my babies on Christmas morning. I love each of you and wish you a very Blessed Merry Christmas! Continue being the individuals you are because each of you has great things to offer!

Merry Christmas to this fantastic lady for a huge thank you for everything. You are such a shining example of genuine love and compassion for making others happy. Mom my family LOVES you and we treasure every single moment we get with you.