Papa's Christmas

So this past Sunday we celebrated Christmas with my dad's family. My papa is my only living grandparent left and he has quite a large legacy. He just had his 51st great grandchild. There was about 80 of us at the party who live in town.
He is such a tender funny man just like my dad! I am so proud to have him as my papa and to my kids "Old papa". He is a one of a kind person and is so optimistic and always says he is "fantastic". I think that is sticking with a lot of us!
All of the kids gathered around the tree waiting for the Christmas carols to begin.
It was so cool how the cousins all got along so well and even though they only get together about once a year they played like they know each other all along.
Jaxson said this was the greatest party and he loved playing tag with these other boys his age.
Me and Molly sat out by the fire and enjoyed the great weather!
All of the gifts. We got a new fleece jacket with my papa's initials LLL on it and I have worn mine 3 days now on my way to work. It is so warm and soft! Thanks papa!

Another sweet photo of Zach and Molly and Noah. What a great group of people that I love a lot!

Kobels Kookies!

Well I had the 3rd annual Kobel Kookie exchange a few weeks ago and had to document the amount of sweetness in my home at one time!
Not only the edible sweetness but the guests were also pretty great too! My dear ol mom was the greatest taste tester ever! She loved her job and already applied for next year!
Some of the finished products of my creations which were HEAVENLY!!!!! I made mini muffin peanut butter cookies with dark chocolate Reese's cups in the middle! You couldn't just eat one!
More of the masses!
And some of the cutest packaging ever was awarded to my Super Sister! This is chalk paint and she tied on a piece of chalk to the ribbon! She might be up for a challenge next year. I appreciate all who came and for the fun girl night that it was! Till next year the cookies are already gone so I might have to bake somethin for Santa tomorrow, one more thing better get to bed!

The tree of 2010

Well this year we were a bit late for a tree cutting license. So we went to the good ole Home Depot and picked out this beauty! I am loving a normal size kinda perfect tree this year and this kinda perfect cute as ever little girl too!
Here are the 3 kids trying to pose and be sweet! I sure love the excitement and fun of this time of year! We had a great Sunday and listed to some great music and talks. Adam actually sang in a trio and did a great job! Way to go dad!
Brother Jaxson is so sweet to his sisters most of the time and I am grateful for his drive to try and be good!
The beautiful tree! I am so blessed this year with a healthy family, a home and love in our life!

JOY

I just needed to write down a few of my thoughts with this bustling season and so much going on. I love this time of year and the way people smile more and are happier, and try to do good for others. I am also so thankful for the time to reflect on our blessings and life. Recently at work a little girl passed away, just a toddler. I was grief stricken for her family and so thankful for my sweet family. Life is so short and as I am tearfully writing I am grateful for a great day today! I was able to sleep in a bit and wake up to hear the kids speaking kindly to each other. I was also able to go help at the school and see so many less fortunate children and their $1.97 that they had of their own money to buy for their family. Such sweetness filled my heart as they were really understanding the true meaning of Christmas. I was then able to go spend the day with my sweet husband and daughters. We had a delicious lunch and went to pick out a 9-10 foot Christmas tree that was beautiful! We came home to put it up and fill our home with a great fragrance. As we listened to sweet music of the season, Mya and I were able to bake some cookies, while Whitney mischievously snuck candy from the advent calendar. Jaxson came home and we all decorated the tree with bright lights and ornaments and discussed a few things about Christmas.
It was a day of goodness and love!
Adam recently lost his job and although not the greatest time or season, I am blessed. Blessed to have a job that does pay well and can help out our family at this time. I am blessed to have a positive husband who is happy and so helpful. I am grateful for such healthy children. I am thankful for food in our pantry to have on hand. I am thankful for prayer and the comfort to know things will be OK. I am so lucky to be a wife and mother and daughter of God. I love this time of year and the greatness it brings to my soul! I am excited to see what the rest of this month will bring. I am excited to have opportunities to do secret Santa things and teach my children the true meaning of this season.

Joy

I hope to feel joy!

Dancing Queen

So with the end of the year came Mya's dance recital. She was sooooooo excited to have a "special occasion" and get to wear make-up and perfume. She was all dolled up and all smiles!
They danced to "Goin to the Chapel" and she loved the song so much. She is getting so grown up and looked so old up on the stage.
So happy that she did such a great job!
A few more poses as we waited for the rest of the dances to finish!
The whole class all 3-4 year olds. She was one of the tallest ones.
On our way Jaxson said Mya looks great! I sure love when these kids are sweet and supportive of each other. Whitney also was excited to see Mya dance, but she got into the dancing and never stopped moving once the music started.
We are so proud of our sweet girl and she did such a great job. She is growing up to be such a kind, helpful, and very smart girl. She still loves her dolls, and purses, but has also learned and loves to help mom cook and put away clothes and she loves that too. Good for me:)