Busy Saturday

 I thought I would be in Indiana today to drive back Stephen & Freya's van to be repaired and all plans were changed in 40 minute's time on Wednesday!  So....I decided to drive to Liberty this morning to take in Joshua's Awana Grand Prix and Tyler's basketball game.  Joshua's car did really well....4th out of 24.  But, alas, they gave out awards to the first three places.  Anyway -- Good Job, Joshua!

Hanging out with friends.

 Here's Mr Tyler!  #15   He is great at guarding.  He warned me ahead of time that he doesn't shoot the ball because "the other guy runs faster!"   Yeah, that's why I wouldn't shoot the ball either! :)

 Okay, so maybe Tyler didn't want his picture taken at the moment.

Snacks after the game -- it's the best part!

Happy January!

 Happy 1st Birthday, Little Eli!  How can you already be one year old?

 Eli didn't hesitate trying out his birthday cupcake!

When I went into the toy room to check on the boys, I found Camden perched on the shelf playing.  He's a climber.

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!