New Year's Eve

We got a package from Florida today full of candy and cookies. Yummy! Grayson had just asked for a cookie at around 11 am, and then about 30 mins later the door bell rang and it was the box of goodies. I was like man, Grayson I need a new car! Oh well the only door bell came later when the neighbor girl brought our recycle bin back over it had blown in their yard. Very windy day, we stayed inside all day, it is pretty cold now. With the box, came bubble wrap. So the kids decided to dance on it. (don't mind the mess around them). 

Unless you do mind, then you can come help me clean up, because as soon as one room is finished the other 5 or so are a mess again. ughh

There is also a picture of Grayson playing with his new Geo Airport from Grandpa Gary and Grandma Nonnie gave him for Christmas!

DC for the day

My sister and her family and all of us headed up to Washington DC for the day yesterday. We had a great time. We wanted to see the Christmas decorations, Dorthy shoes, the monument, etc. The kids had fun riding the metro, Grayson thought that was the best part. We parked and rode about 25 mins each way. By the end of the day all of our feet were aching!

                                

Here was our Christmas Morning. Each kid had their own area of things. They did sleep until 8 or so. That was really nice. 

The girls both got a new bile. It was soo nice that they got to go out with out coats and ride their new bike. Olivia loves no training wheels. 

Olivia's Piano Recital

Olivia has been playing piano for a little over a year. She was in her very first recital this year. She did amazing. She played two songs and did very well! We are very proud of her. Here are a few pictures from that night. It was also held at our church, but it was a community recital for the lady who is Olivia's piano teacher.

Christmas Cantata

The girls were in the church's Christmas Cantata. It was called "It's the Truth Ruth". This was Eden's first cantata. She did very well. She was a traveler and also an angel. 

Eden was an angel

Olivia singing her solo, she enjoyed it, but you can't really tell. 

Olivia also had a speaking part. It was really cute. 

Friday....

This Friday, the 12th will be five yrs without mom. I sometimes haven't realized it until its that day or even later on in the day. But this year, I have been so focused on it. I do not know why, but I am very emotional about it. I know I should be, but it just seems even more so. I am missing her like crazy, needing her all the time, and just wanting my kids to know and be around her. I know these things are not possible now, but its still hard to deal with that. I want to sit beside her and talk, and make cookies and fudge with her. I loved when she made fudge. Olivia really wants to make some so I think that will be out project when school gets out. 

I want to share things with the kids that I learned from her and by her, by doing them with the kids. I just want to slow down and enjoy them, so they will not regret me or the time i should of spent with them. I want to be with them, but until the money i don't have pays for a maid to do the laundry and cooking, cleaning, etc. Its me, and we will work through these together. 

I encourage you, who may read this, to call your mom today. Give her a hug if you are close, or just tell her something that you appreciate about her. I would if I could, even though my main source of contact is my cell phone and she barely knew how to work hers when she was alive. 

Thank you for your ears and eyes. Enjoy today and thank God for it! 

thanksgiving with family

Decorating cookies with mimi   "Its a turkey"

Happy Birthday Garrett

Grayson and Bella relaxing watching a movie      The gang getting ready for the cookies

Olivia with her final project

Haley and her masterpiece

Mimi and Eden busy at work

Tickie at Thanksgiving lunch

After lunch activites...snowboarding. Everyone had a turn.

Daddy and Eden Andy and Grayson watching the Wii

Grayson running outside

Playing at Chrissy's

The candy monster

Grayson wanted to play the Wii with daddy instead of make ornaments.

Olivia holding some cookie cutters we used to make ornaments

Eden finishing up her ornaments

The cinnamon ornaments

Helping mommy bake brownies and clean up :)




So we have been busy in the kitchen the last few days. Experimenting with making ornaments, baking for my Christmas party at work, making cookies for girls scouts (not sure, but we were asked to make them). Anyway. Today while taking a break from the kitchen and playing go fish with Olivia, the candy monster invaded my kitchen counter and well you take a look. He now has a very full belly of holiday candy, mostly mint Hershey kisses. 

The mess we saw on the counter...

the reason we knew who it was...see the booster pushed over to the counter

his answer to who ate the candy? i dont know, shoulder shrugged and all :)