Happy December!

 We celebrated Kayla's and Joshua's birthdays the end of November....so a late celebration for Kayla, an early celebration for Joshua.  Kayla had a "Frozen" theme and Joshua was "Baseball."

 10 Years Old!  Sounds awfully grown up.

 The last Awana night before Christmas break, we a "Birthday Party for Jesus" theme.  Made mini-cupcakes for treats.

 And of course, our annual thank you gift to our leaders -- mini loaves of bread.

 Balloons -- Party Hats --  It was fun.  P.S. this is only the left hand side of the room :)

 Stephen, Freya and the children arrived on the 20th.  Thankful for clear weather to travel and they made super good time, even with little Peter.

 Peter isn't the little newborn baby that I last saw in September.  Such a good little guy.

 There's even time to have piano lessons while at Grandma's.  

 Could hardly wait for the cousins to be together.  Here's some "Girl-Time" going on with Lena, Emmy, and Kayla!

 Mealtime is always fun.  Sometimes it is just easier for the mama's to fill all the plates ahead of time.

 The kids opened their stockings at breakfast before everyone arrived.

 Emmy, Lisa and Peter

 With all the battery toys around, Eli and his green doughnut were constant pals!

 Our family gift exchange.  23 of us.

 Joshua and Max received a latch hook kit and Aunt Rebecca showed them how to get started!  She was the "Latch Hook Queen" during her 4-H days.

 This was the year of "Frozen."  Frozen doll, Frozen fuzzy blankets, "Frozen Nightgowns.

 The boys discussing the new Lego project.

 This was the first gift I opened.

 Oh, my goodness.  I immediately had a stress attack, but you know, it was a success; and here is the proof!   It only took two boxes of fruit snacks, $1 bills,  going to CiCi's for pizza, and an EXCELLENT photographer!  (Billye's Portrait Studio)

 Westin turned 3 December 28 and guess what the theme of his birthday was.....JOHN DEERE!

 Brian made the cake.  I'm totally impressed!

 I got this idea of how fun it would be to make the 4 girls matching dresses for Christmas -- different patterns, same fabric.  Yes, it was fun, but I was still sewing on them the day before Stephen's family arrived.  I didn't like Kayla's Dress #1, so I ended up making a second dress.  So, actually I made 5 dresses :)

 Emmy turned 3 January 1.  That called for girlie type cupcakes with fluffy white icing and pink sprinkles!

 One last family gathering.  What a wonderful time we had together!

A Fun Post

 Kennedy made the perfect Cabbage Patch Baby.  Rebecca's workplace invites the employees' children to work to go trick or treating!  It's great to go from cubicle to cubicle and end up with a bucket full of treats!

 Rebecca's friend made the hat/hair!

 Mr Jordy was Thomas the Train...until we took Thomas "off" to go down the steps.  Thomas the Train didn't go on again!

 Okay, Jordy, just one more picture!

 Went to church with the Nelsons and after lunch had a little photo session.  Tyler and Grandpa!

The kids are growing up so fast!

Lots of Kiddos Around

 Eli had his first overnighter with Grandpa and Grandma and he did just super!  A happy little guy.

 In the process of  getting something out of the cabinet over the stove, I dropped a "special" jar on top of my glasstop range and the glasstop BROKE.  I was so upset (not that anyone could tell   haha).  The jar didn't break.....just the stovetop.  I immediately went online to watch a YouTube video how to install a new top, called Sears (never did talk to a human), ordered the top and it was delivered by UPS in four days.  You can imagine how Richard appreciated my suggestion to watch the YouTube video before he began to install the top.  We're back in business again!

 Kennedy

 Every so often we meet the Nelson at McDonalds in Lawrence -- kind of a half way point for all of us -- for lunch after church.

 Brian and Eli didn't miss out on the meeting.

 Another new venture was keeping Westin and Camden for a couple of days while Brian and Carly went to Dallas for a Longhorn Show.  

Westin, Eli, and Camden

 Camden thought he had hit the jackpot.  Richard and I picked a couple of grocery sacks of apples and they were still in the garage waiting to be processed.  Before we knew it, Camden was chowing down on his own personal apple -- he was very pleased.  Let's just say the apple was truly "natural" !

 Lots and lots and lots of playdough time.

 Westin on a mission to work on his car.

 He's taking a look at the underneath side.  I don't think we tip our cars up that conveniently, though.

My third batch of applebutter.  Really, really good!

This and That

 One afternoon I ended up having Jordy, Kennedy, and Eli.....by myself!  Ummmm, don't think I'll be opening a daycare by myself in the near future!  We actually got along great; this is Jordy asleep at 1:20 in the afternoon.

 This is Eli and Kennedy at 1:20 in the afternoon!  :)

 Eli was just happy to be on board for the day!  

 The mystery of "where is Dad's barn" continues.  This is how it was blocked up; clearly ready to have a trailer put under it and transported.  Richard wanted an up close look.  Notice the mud.

 And more mud and water draining down from the school yard.   I think I clearly remember Dad talking about his concerns with water runoff???

 I was able to go to the kids' very first soccer games.  It was a hot one.  Needed umbrellas to keep the sun off us us!  Go, Tyler!

 Joshua likes the goalie position.  Soccer is new to me --- is that how you spell goalie?

 Kayla had the last game of the day.

Westin and Camden dressed for bed and waiting for Mommy and Daddy to pick them up.

Our New Baby Peter Elliot Varner

 We welcome our new baby boy, Peter Elliot, born September 10.  Stephen and Freya now have three boys and two girls.  No dull moments at their home!

 The children were so proud of their new baby brother and eagerly took their turns holding Peter.  Max will be a great big brother.

 Henry took his turn next!

 Miss Lena will be a little mommy to Peter.

 And Emmy's thinking, "Who need baby dolls when you have a baby at home!"

 Yes, we ALL went to church the next Sunday morning and Peter was four days old.

 This is the quilt I made for Peter, finishing it 12:30 am 9/10 and Stephen called at 4:08 am on the way to the hospital!

 Loved having Grandma time!

 Max working on his fast pitch.

 Is this the grown up boy that was the catcher for the Denison ball team?

One last picture before we leave for the airport.