Christmas Eve

Milk, cookies, and letters for Santa

We gathered around the piano and sang Christmas carols. This is one of my favorite things especially with lots of family.
We ended the night with Grampy reading to all the grandkids. Then the sound of bells outside quickly got the little ones off to bed.

Jackson, Brewer, Makena, Logan, Jordan, Larson, Jake, and Maben (a friend of Chris' boy visiting from Michigan)

Brewer and Logan

The babies of the families

Jackson and Jake

A few pics from our Christmas' past.

This year we were in Tucson at Fred and Elizabeths house

We only had Jake and Jordan for this one
at Grampy and Nanas in Toledo, Ohio

Then came Jackson and Makena

Then came Larson, Brewer, and Logan

Jim and Cindy have 5 children and are all grown.

So that makes 12 total for Grampy and Nana

Aunt Mary did some crafts and candle making with the kids.

Christmas Eve dinner was very good and I enjoyed the entire thing from planning, cooking, eating, to cleanup.

This is me at my post. Quite often you could find me there.

One thing about this Christmas to remember is that it was full of energy and lots of kids being thrown around. More to come on that one.

Do You Really Use Your Feet in Skateboarding?

So far the skateboard has been used more for a launching pad. Logan in the house and the boys take the skateboard outside and find the steepest driveway to sit on it and fly down the street. I really dont think they are using any safety precautions or common sense. Future Blog Post: Boys trip to ER

An Early Family Christmas

December 19th

I was hesitant because this is not what we usually do but it worked out well for us. With all of Toms family coming in for Christmas we thought we would celebrate a more quiet day with just our family.
The kids did not object to opening presents early.

The kids picked out and exchanged gifts on their own. Tom got me an UT snuggie. A much needed gift with the cold weather we have been having. Clothes would be at the bottom of Jacksons list however, he loves, loves, loves all his new pajamas. Jordan was pleased with her new pajamas and hairdryer. I loved how the kids put thought into what their siblings would like. Magic kit and Spongebob for Larson, skateboard for Jaxs, anything Twilight for Jordan. Logan opened a couple of presents from relatives. To be honest he still didnt get it.

Jackson was so proud of his Christmas tree that he made me out of clay. I love those gifts. Then onto a crepe breakfast. One of our favorites!

Larsons gift to Jordan. Without any help except size, he picked this outfit for her. He insisted that this was what he was getting her.
We loved the rest of the day just playing with new things and just relaxing with each other. So glad we decided on an early family Christmas.

Yet Another Difference Between Man and Woman

Buddy's Wrapping

Tom's wrapping

Holiday Happenings

What does Santa say? HO! HO! HO!

Larsons Kindergarten class party.

He was so very excited and I was able to leave Logan home so it was a great time with just Larson.

They made such cute crafts and decorated cookies. Then they got to share all their holiday work with us. Larson made presents for his teacher even though we got a real present for her. He loves his teacher. The rest of the school day was spent at recess and a pizza party. He was all smiles when he got off the bus and was ready for his Christmas break.

Jackson had a class party also. It started off with a snowball fight inside with socks. I just want to say, who thought of that one and who did not think that one through??? Jackson loved it but just a little out of control. Then they did a neat snowglobe and frosted cookies.

This was Jordan's Holiday concert. Jordan and two other girls sang a little intro to their song. She loves being in choir and learns a lot being in there.

I love it when school is out and we can just have fun and not worry about all that homework!!!

One Act Play- Over the River and Through the Woods

Jordan waited an entire year to audition for the one act play as they only do one a year. She loved her 6th grade experience.
As a 7th grader she got a larger part of Caitlin, a 20 year old nurse. She was cast as the love interest of the main role. Come to find out, this really tested her acting skills as she was pretty uncomfortable with it.

The cast came in 3rd in the school district and she once again was very happy with her involvement with OAP. She complained a little about the dress and high heels but knowing Jordan that is to be expected. Once again very proud of her accomplishment.

Thanksgiving in North Carolina

Our hearts are full of thanks for so many things. Our faith, our families, our good health, good friends, and so many more things to mention.

This Thanksgiving we are thankful to be able to be with the Foss family except for 1 sister Kathe and her son Sean (we missed them) so much fun to see cousins playing with cousins, grandkids loving on grandparents and great grandkids spending time with their great grandma.

A big thank you to Ashley and Brian for hosting us all for Thanksgiving dinner. A pregnant woman with twins shouldn't have been doing all that work. It was so nice for us all. Cant wait to meet those babies!

May God bless me with my grandmother's looks! The sweetest woman in the world, my Grandma Boyd. We were welcomed with Boydies famous cookies and banana bread.

Logan never misses a meal. That comes from his Fathers side!

Kids did artwork at the Thanksgiving table. Great idea Ashley. Loved seeing and reading what they all did.

Our Texas Longhorn crew. So cool to spend so much time with Colby.

Our family tradition has always been to have the kitchen counters filled with all bake goods for the holidays. Larson was loving the kitchen counters at Grandma Pats house and we would see him there quite often.

Aunt Jackie was so good to the kids. She played with them tons, got them a tent, and had the boys spend the night at her house. She always had them repeating "best Aunt Ever".

These next few pictures are just precious to me.

Larson Boyd with his great grandma Boyd

Larson with Grandma Pat Pat. Poor Pat Pat was a little under the weather while we were there. Thanks for letting us add all the chaos to your house.

Larson and PaPa

Logan & Pat Pat

Logan & PaPa

Jackson & Pat Pat

Jackson & PaPa

Jackson and his great grandma Boyd

Jackie, Buddy, and Charlene

Jackie, Haylee, and Sage

Grandkids

2 sweet girls

Jordan with her Great grandma Boyd

4 Generations

Great Grandkids

Charlene was the official Turkey carver, Jackie is just our official turkey since it is her birthday! Ashley was definitely the official chef. So much food and so very very yummy.

We found a really good playground in Ash and Brians neighborhood. Oddly enough, before moving to Texas, Tom had accepted a job in NC and this was the neighborhood where we probably would have moved into.

Love these girls!

You know how they say that dogs and their owners look alike?

Hanging with my Boydie

Colby, Logan, and Larson having fun

Logan and his Great Grandma Boyd

Snuggle Time! Doesn't get better than this.

Family Fun Time

Very Funny Entertainment!!

Jordan playing tennis for the first time!

Brian took all the kids except for Logan to play tennis. My kids all loved it and now want to play. Brian turned a normal game into a home run derby game which they all seemed to like more!

Jordan was cracking us up. So pleased with herself if the ball hit her racket and you could hear her squeal in delight if it went over the net.

Aunt Jackie helped set up camp for the kids. They love being at the "Farm". They want to know why our yard is not like this. Theirs is about 12 acres more than ours. That's why!!!

I love this man. Thanks for agreeing with short notice to pick the family up and go on a little adventure. OK a 4, 000 mile adventure.

We heard that Papa worked hard on getting his tables set up when he knew we were coming. Larson is the master engineer. What a treat for the boys. We know how much Papa loves his trains!

What an incredible Thanksgiving! My heart is full!