Merry Christmas 2010

This year Kayla wanted to be "Mary" when we read the Christmas story. Last year she was an angel. Not a bit of hesitation on her part!

Joshua was certain he wanted to be "Joseph".....until they were driving to our house. Somehow....Brian was able to skinny into the costume I had made for Joshua and he played the part of Joseph. Kayla and Joshua were sure that Tyler wanted to be "Baby Jesus" instead of a sheep. Tyler was not amused with the idea of being wrapped as a "babe in swaddling clothes!"

"just let me sit with my Uncle Ryan"

Joshua and Aunt Rebecca with big smiles.

This picture wasn't posed. Poor Bryan just couldn't handle all the excitement while opening presents :)

It's Time for an Update!

Remember the first time you tried to rollerskate! Ryan was helping Henry skate. It was much easier on the carpet!!

Henry, Max, and Joshua helping Stephen check out the "laptop."

Happy 6th Birthday, Joshua.

This is how you shop at Lowe's with a broken ankle. I was actually surprised Richard consented to use the cart.

Mom and Dad's Creative Projects

This picture doesn't do justice to see how big this building is that is going up over at the lot. This view is looking west. They guys have really been putting in long hours trying to get as much done as they can before bad weather begins. Richard has spent many evenings drawing the plans on the couch, re-drawing plans on the couch, etc.

I thought part of the picture was "missing" then I realized that is part of the privacy fence showing in the corner. I get a little nervous watching the guys perched up on the beams. That's Brian up on the beams at the moment, but Ryan has seen his share of time up there, too.

So while Dad is drawing his plans for this huge building, I was downstairs sewing doll clothes. Kayla is getting this baby doll for her birthday and Lisa said it would be fun to have matching jumpers for the doll and Kayla. She made Kayla's jumper, and I made the doll's. Then I just kept making outfits. It was so much fun!!

The hat was so much fun. Who can remember the fabric?? Rebecca had her leg in a cast for three months when she wore that dress!!

Okay....this is the last outfit I'll post. I had tooo much fun sewing these outfits!

Happy Birthday, Brian

We finally found a time when we all had free and had a birthday supper for Brian! Joshua was more than ready to offer to help blow out the candles!

....and of course we played a party game --- Pin the Tail on the Donkey! We all played and Rebecca was chief organizer. Dad was just certain she had him faced in the wrong direction after spinning around.

Here are the final results. Notice number 12 is "Bem!"

If the party games weren't enough, then it was time to carve pumpkins. Deal of the day was $1.00 pumpkins at Ron's IGA.

Kayla wanted to not only carve her pumpkin, but also paint her pumpkin! Fun evening.

Continued Labor Day Special

Richard got the hole dug, the problem figured out, made a flying trip to Lowes before they closed, and the job was finished by flashlight!

Polka Dot Cookies for Polka Dot Night at Awana. The kids had a great time "earning" dot stickers during the night to put on their face, neck or arms. Highly recommend this theme night!

Labor Day Special. It wasn't good when Richard came in from mowing and announced there was water bubbling out of the ground out by the well. After the last experience with the "professionals" three years ago, Richard decided he would tackle this one himself. The boys urged him to rent a backhoe......he went for the shovel method!

Picture

Family Time

Kendall and Whitney posing for a picture.

Carly and Brian

Jenny just giving a confirmation that our family will continue to grow! (Baby girl due in November.)

Alyssa....already a senior.....and a key member of the swim team!

Sarah visiting with her Grandpa.

More Birthday Celebration

The Smiley kids with their spouces and Mother and Dad. John & Donna; Marilyn and Barry; Susanne and Jim; and Richard & I.

Our Family

Donna and John

Marilyn's Family

Susanne's Family

A Wonderful Weekend

We celebrated Dad's 95th birthday with a fun family celebration this weekend. So many sweet memories were made. Wouldn't trade it for the world. Dad enjoyed all the birthday greeting cards he received and the family time on Saturday & Sunday.

Time for family photos

The Smiley Family - John, Marilyn, Susanne, & I with Mother and Dad

Kayla hopped right up on Dad's lap for another conversation.

Little Kendall kept rubbing her face on Mother's sleeve because "it's so soft!" So precious. Another post will soon follow with more family photo.

Happy Birthday to my Dad

It's time to do some blogging again. We'll start with sending birthday wishes to my dad who will be 95 years old September 30. What fun to put a birthday greeting on our sign in Holton!! We're looking forward to being with him this weekend for a family celebration.

Overnight Stay at Grandma's

Remember the first time you got to ride with someone to mow the yard??? Joshua mowed with Ryan and Ryan's comment was, "If Joshua can see the "lines" where to mow the very first time, why can't everyone else!" Ryan is pretty particular how he wants the front yard mowed.....now the backyard and side yard.....anything goes!

Tyler -- Mr Big Stuff!

Mr Big Stuff.....until he is standing by Uncle Ryan's truck!

"Okay, Kayla, let me take you for a ride. Hop in the wagon."

"Come on, Kayla, you can do it. We're not going very fast."

Family Fun Part 2

In spite of romote controls, computer games, and toys with batteries, Max spent time playing with this timeless toy.

Stephen just couldn't stay awake after our exciting evening of "daytime fireworks!"

More pictures from the new playground. Henry tried his luck going across the stepping stones. Instead of the usual mulch or peat rock on the ground, it is covered with black rubber mulch.

Dairy Queen for Saturday lunch.

Jennifer, Ryan, and Rebecca waiting for their DQ lunch!

A Fun 10 Days

Since I am soooo behind in posting blogs, I'll begin with the most recent and work backwards. Stephen, Freya and Family came last week and we packed a lot of fun times during the week. The first Saturday they were here we went to Joshua's last baseball game, and I forgot my camera, but we all would have had "red" faces. It was hot!! Sunday evening several of the family came up for a BBQ. On Tuesday Grandma and Grandpa Varner came and that evening the whole family met at ChuckECheese, and that was another fun night. Thursday afternoon we had an afternoon swim at Brian & Carly's. The kids loved it!

Here's Lisa and Joshua. By this time, the kids were starting to get cold!

Max, Kayla, and Henry warming up in the sun!

The city of Holton has a brand new playground that officially opened on Friday, so Saturday morning we checked it out. It's so nice and so fun! Max and Henry were posing as firefighters.

One of my projects this week was to make this little outfit for Lena. I had made a dress for Kayla from this same fabric that came from Mother's stash, and the pattern has been around for a long awhile! Anyway, you don't save money by sewing anymore, but it's fun!