Christmas with Family

 We headed up to see family on Christmas afternoon.  We arrived in time for dinner at Susie's.  We had fun visiting with family, opening some Christmas gifts, playing games, watching movies and just being together.  We are thankful for the chance to be with family!

Waiting to start dinner--and a little sibling fun!

Cousins filling their plates.  Teresa is lucky to have a cousin her age on both sides of the family.

There was some Christmas gifts to open after dinner.  The kids weren't begging us to open this year...they are getting older.

A cute couple on Christmas Day!

One of Teresa's gifts was a second ear piercing.  We went to Claire's the day after Christmas...the same place and time she got her first piercing!

Then it was on to my side of the family.  We had a full day celebrating Christmas, playing games, watching the nativity play, singing carols, pantry dice game and sharing in the candle ceremony.  It is a blessed time to be together.  The next days were filled with sleepovers, skiing, dog trivia, hallmark movies and lots of joy and laughter!

Waiting to open some presents.

Family!

Trying to get your teenager to be in a picture with you!

Cousins and dogs!

Teresa and her bestie Fiona.

Mom and daughter.

The nativity play cast.  We will see how long they keep this going.  Some kids are a little less willing to participate.  Hoping we get a few more years!

Teresa and her cousins sledding.

Troy and Timothy at the ski hill. 

Christmas at Home

Christmas Eve worship was at 4pm.  We had a few ups and downs during the service, but overall a beautiful night.  Troy got to play some of the music which went really well.  And our family picture turned out quite nice considering the kids don't really dress up much.  We even sort of coordinated our colors!

The rest of the evening was dinner and Christmas movies.  Dinner this year was spaghetti and meatballs.  Simple enough and everyone ate it!  We watched the Muppet's Christmas Carol and Prep and Landing.

On Christmas Morning the kids were up early for them...8am.  We did our stocking gifts and then enjoyed a cinnamon roll breakfast. I even went easy for that buying the rolls this year from Hyvee!  We did our Advent devotions and were on to gifts.  Troy did have the kids do a scavenger hunt for the last gift.  They had to pull the gifts down from the roof!  It was a fun morning.  We are blessed to have one another and to be loved by our God and Savior.

Checking out my Christmas morning pictures in my festive Mickey Christmas clothes.

Teresa with her new Christmas blanket.

Troy and his new Disney shirt.

Timothy waiting his turn for stocking gifts.

 

Happy Birthday!

Our little boy is no longer little.  15 seems like a big number.  A number that makes parents pause and wonder how does time go so fast.  That said, we are happy to celebrate this kind-hearted, caring, funny boy that his Grandma likes to call Too--Tall- Timothy!  We weren't sure his party would happen as planned with a snowstorm and blizzard forecasted.  But he got the best gift of a day off of school and a sleepover!

He only got a few gifts, because one was a big one.  He was even polite about the fact that I wrapped up underwear for him!  When he got to the real gift, which I did make him search the house for, he was pleased. 

 

He had four friends join him for a sleepover.  This was the first year I did not plan any party games.  They found ways to entertain themselves with things like Hello Kitty Uno and the kitchen set downstairs.  They seemed to enjoy all the old toys we still have!

Although Troy agreed to brave the storm to get pizza, our two top choices were closed due to the storm.  Some take and bake and frozen pizza worked in a pinch and 5 hungry teens did not seems to mind!

His cake was once again a cookie cake.  It is pretty big for a small party, but 5 boys who like cookies can polish off an amazing amount of cake!

As a family we celebrated with dinner out the day after his party.  Freddy's was his choice again this year.  We are thankful for our son and who he is and the ways he continues to grow and mature.  Happy Birthday Timothy!