Gramadel Visits

Each Thursday we have the privilege to spend some time with my wonderful grandmother, Gramadel. She treats us to fast food and comes to visit for about an hour each week. I love that time with her. It is often chaotic as my house usually is, but I am so thankful that she comes. She loves to hear about anything that we want to tell her and thrives on her turn to hold the baby. He is already getting a bit big for her to hold, but he gives her the sweetest smiles and kisses. What a blessing to get to spend this time with such a lovely woman. It is a highlight of my week.

Tree Decorating 2010

The Partridge Family Christmas is our traditional music that we listen to while decorating the tree. It makes me smile and makes my heart happy. I love decorating the tree, getting out all of the ornaments and talking about when we received them and from whom. Usually everyone is excited and the participation is great. This year I got a fir tree. I have always had a pine. There were not many to choose from when I went, but I like it because it is TALL! I love watching Bo pick up one of the youngest children and letting them place the star on the tree. It is a bit crooked, but I just love it! All of my paper is lime green this year. It has been a great week. We have wrapped gifts, visited with friends and family, baked cookies and candy. I appreciate the break to move at a slower pace and enjoy loved ones. My house, tummy, and heart are full and I am very thankful to the Lord for the abundance of blessings.

George & Lily

The finished tree

Here goes the star...

Yea George!

RandiKate got out her pointe shoes and danced around a little.

This picture says a lot about my girlies.

Sisters!

George was pretty serious about the task.

Charlie helped with higher ornaments.

The little ones were so excited to help and the ornaments are a little "bottom heavy"

Everyone getting in on the fun!

Chandler and Bo in Cuba

Chandler had a wonderful opportunity to go with her Daddy on a mission trip to Cuba. They were there a week. She got to use the Spanish and everyone was impressed with her ability. She even did some translating for the pastor! She was impressed by how little they have and how much they wanted to share with her. She came home with gifts from them for our family. How humbling.

That's What It's All About

While in PA we decided to take the kids roller skating. It has been years since I skated! It was so much fun! The kids were asking Daddy to build a skating rink in Bartlesville. Haha! No thank you, but it sure was fun! We even did the Hokey Pokey!

Uncle Shawn helping George

Go Charlie!

Do the Hokey Pokey!

Fun time with our cousin Bryce!

RandiKate celebrate's 12!

October 4th my sweet RandiKate celebrated her 12th birthday. How can that be possible? We were traveling and had the rare opportunity to share her birthday with Grandma Barb and Pap in PA! Gma and RandiKate always enjoy baking together and this was a special treat! The best word to describe my 2nd born is "delightful." She loves to help with the little kids and has even started to baby sit a little. She is super fun to take on errands and is preciously thoughtful.She hasn't lost her little "red-head" personality, but we enjoy this girl! RandiKate enjoys ballet and is learning to be up on pointe this year.

A Time to Laugh

Yesterday I "just so happen to" get the chance to visit with a few friends that are soothing to my soul. The kids had bowling and I spent some time visiting and laughing with a couple of women. One of them has 11 children, one has 8, and the other "only" 4. We told kid stories, talked about how each is different, how differently one parents the first and subsequent others. Nothing monumental occurred, but I felt understood, loved, refreshed. I am thankful for moments like those.

NUTCRACKER Dec 2009

The Nutcracker Ballet is a wonderful tradition in our town. Each year the kids and I (and much of the rest of Bartlesville) get dressed up on Sunday afternoon to go watch the production. The ballet allows students from all local studios to try out and participate. They practice hard for about 10 weeks to get ready for ballet. This was the first year that any of our children participated. Charlie was a child at the party and also a page. RandiKate was a soldier and a trumpeteer They had a great experience!

Chandler's good friend Rachel was "Clara" one of the stars of the show

RandiKate with the professional ballet dancers. What an experience for her!

Ms Charlotte is the artistic director and the one that makes this all happen.

Charlie and some of the boys

Charlie in his page costume. He and his partner pushed "Clara" in her sleigh.

RandiKate as a Trumpeteer

Emma Cone and RandiKate in their soldier costumes backstage

John Cone played "Fritz" this year next to Rachel. He and Charlie killing time backstage. These are their party attire costumes.

RandiKate Dances

We are so thankful for our local dance studio Stage Art Productions! RandiKate takes ballet, jazz and tap classes once a week and looks forward to her time learning and with friends. In December, we enjoyed their Christmas: More Than a Story production. I so appreciate that I don't have to worry about whether or not the costumes, dance moves, or music will be inappropriate for my girls!

She and one of her closest friends Emma. Good friends are priceless in our life!

Easter 2010

I have been looking forward to Easter Sunday. I love the season, remembering that Jesus conquered death and has risen! I enjoy the time together with family in church worshiping together and then afterward playing at Grandma's farm. This year my plans were thwarted a little. Because of sickness, George and I had to stay behind. Bo took the kids to church then out to Grandma's. Grammy & Pops, Ben & Stacy (and kids), Summer (and kids), Jim & Connie (and kids) all had a wonderful time together. When they came home, my older kids took something from each of their baskets to put in eggs to hide for George. It was a proud Mommy moment! He was so happy to hunt eggs! He said, "Do we get to use guns?" Yes, this is Oklahoma!


Lily Hunting eggs at Grandma's

Grandmadele and some of the grandkids and great grandkids

Our Six Sweeties

George and Lily are the best of friends