Here Birdies

It was a cold, dreary day, but those are often the times when the best memories are made. Papa, Reed, Lee and Caleb enjoyed an afternoon of dove hunting this weekend.  Very few birds were flying, but I think they all just enjoyed being together. Papa doesn't do much hunting anymore, and the cold drove him in early on this hunt, but the guys loved making more memories with him.


Caleb, Reed, Papa, Lee, Gus, and Avery

Gus is looking up at Reed like he desperately wants to go inside where it's nice and warm.

He really enjoys hunting!

One more of the guys!

While they were braving the cold, I was having the best time of all.  I snuggled up on the couch with a beautiful fire in the fireplace and watched an afternoons worth of Hallmark Christmas movies.  Life doesn't get much better!! We are headed east Friday to watch Maddie in her Christmas program, and then they are heading back with us!  We can't wait!!

Pajamas, Santa, Trains, and Crafts

We made a stop to see Santa recently.  Maddie very sweetly sat in Santa's lap and told him everything she wanted.  Her list consists of all things sparkly and a plastic tree house.  Lillian wanted no part of Santa or his train!

Maddie loved the train.  The picture at the bottom shows her sweetly waiting for her turn.



Santa was not her favorite last year, but this year she hopped right up and sweetly told him everything she wanted. Lillian was close by in my arms.  There was no way she was sitting in his lap though.

Lillian was perfectly content letting Big Sis have all the fun!



We had an early morning impromptu photo shoot in our pj's!

During Lillian's naptime one day, Maddie made some ornaments for the tree.  She was very patient and did a great job with the glitter and the glue. I can't wait until Lillian can join in these projects.





 I love these sweet times with these angels!



It's a Family Thing

At our house, it's not Christmas time until the candy houses are made.  We had to make them in 2 different shifts this time, but they are made.  I love this tradition and hope it continues forever.  This was our 23rd year.  It's messy, time consuming and so much fun!!

While Lindsey and Maddie were busy with their houses, Little Bit grabbed a spoon and tub of icing.

And she ate........

And ate.........

And ate.........

 And ate some more!

For round 2, Taylor and Caleb joined Reed and me.  I always love when we get to introduce someone new to the fun.  Taylor was very creative and lots of fun!

Reed did a little multi tasking while building his house.



The finished products!

Caleb takes his house building very seriously.  Reed, Taylor and I finished about an hour before him!

Merry Christmas! 

Thanksgiving Day

One of Maddie's Thanksgiving songs begins like this, "Thanksgiving Day is a happy day, and we say thank you God." Those words couldn't be more true!  We have so very much to be thankful for, but family is definitely at the top of the list.



Their mom would be very proud of these two! Both did a wonderful job caring on her traditions.

Check out that beautiful cake!  Caleb has assumed the new role of German Chocolate cake maker.  It was excellent!

Papa and Reed had some extra special help cooking out in the shop.



Charley and Josey helped the girls put on a puppet show, and then they let Lillian be a puppet, too!



Sweet smiles make this day extra special!



Did I mention that we had special pre-meal entertainment?



Waiting to eat 





 Giving the precious baby in the mirror a kiss......

Playing blocks with Pop and Aunt Kris

I love sweet family time.

There always seems to be a ballgame after we eat! Maddie enjoyed watching from the sidelines! 

Sweet, sweet cousins!  Maddie and Lillian loved playing with them!



The girls requested this picture of them, and only reluctantly let the boys join in the one above.



One Precious Pilgrim

We have been to lots of Maddie's programs, and we have loved everyone!  This time was extra special though, because not only did she sing, she even did the motions and smiled!  She had suffered from stage fright before, but this time she was quite the performer!! 

Jacob's Ladder is simply an awesome preschool.  I am so glad the girls have this opportunity!! 

 Smiles, motions, and singing-we couldn't ask for more!

Following the program, all of the Pilgims and Indians enjoyed a feast in the fellowship hall. Lillian joined us here, and then we headed home with both girls.

Mam enjoyed the program, too!

 It's always fun to celebrate with friends!  I love her nameplate that marked her place at the table.  The happy places are for her family.  She proudly pointed out who each smiley face was for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't Judge

 

I have had my Christmas decorations up for several days now.  I love everything about Christmas, and the more time I have to enjoy it the better!  I have had a few "you should wait until after Thanksgiving" comments, but I promise I still love and appreciate the meaning of Thanksgiving (even if we are eating turkey with the table decorated for Christmas). 

On another note, I am going to paraphrase from one of the blogs I enjoy reading.  When you have lost loved ones, they somehow magically, mystically come home to you during the holidays.  The things I have of my grandmother and mother are simply priceless to me, and I spend lots of times enjoying them now during the holidays.

The little red bird ornaments were the last things my grandmother made.

 

I can't remember a Christmas that I didn't decorate my grandparent's tree.  She had made TONS of crocheted ornaments.  They simply  weren't my favorite.  The year before she died, she had placed them in a box and gave them to me shortly after we took the tree down.  I tried to gracefully decline, but she insisted.  Now, they are among my very favorites.

 

She also made this pillow.

 

The year  I was born (which  was a very, very long time ago), my mother and grandmother made several variations of this ornament.  I still have about 20 of them. They are priceless to me.  We also have a similar one that Reed's grandmother made.

 

 

My mother made this Christmas Village.

 

The next 2 ornaments are from Lindsey and Caleb's first Christmas. Time flies!  It seems like yesterday! 

 Aunt Sandra made these for Caleb

Lindsey had a couple of other "First Christmas" ornaments that I can't find.  I am really hoping I have already given them to her.





This tray and a matching pitcher were made by my mom.

 One of my favorite ornaments-I love, love, love being a Nana!

Reed's mom gave us the pretty church!  I "acquired" that tray in a mad "moonlight madness" sale at Gayfer's many years ago.  It may or may not have involved me in a slight tussle with another customer.

And on a totally different note, we were so glad to have this guy home for part of the weekend.  He and his dad are working on some projects for his new apartment.

Things have been slow in the blogging world lately, but it should pick up this week.