Labor Day Fun

Since it's not enough to refinish floors over a weekend, we invited a crew of people over for a Labor Day picnic in the new place! Uncle D, Aunt Cedes, and Tommy came over. And Grammy, Papa, Tim, Mrs. Kathy, and JOE (!!!) drove down for the day. The children were ECSTATIC!

The kids were VERY surprised when Joe walked in,since we are smart enough to not TELL THEM when things like that are happening. They then monopolized Joe's time playing in their rooms for a very, very long time. It was very loud up there...but I still don't know exactly what they were up to! Everyone else enjoyed a tour of the new house and admired Daddy's new floor.

After a pretty yummy lunch (if I do say so myself), we asked Mrs. K to take some quick pictures for us. I wanted a family picture to put on a change of address card to mail out. Thankfully, Mrs. K was happy to oblige.

(We didn't use that one, but it amuses me.)


Oh look, JOE!



We also got a nice picture of Grammy with all three of her grandbabies. I think she was happy to have one to show off!




And then the children got a hold of the camera and documented the rest of the day.













This is Colin and Joe in the dark, with a light saber.









Fun day. Good company. Silly photographers! We hope to have many, many more family picnics here!

Christmas 2012, Part 2

\

HE CAME! Santa came!! Sneaky guy! I woke up at 7:30 and Gillian was still asleep on the floor next to our bed. And of course, Daddy was sleeping. So, I tiptoed out of the bedroom and upstairs because I was SURE Colin would be up. And lo and behold...he was still ASLEEP. A Christmas miracle. So, I started the tea kettle, checked a bit of news, and then I heard C's little voice. And almost immediately after that, I heard G and Daddy coming upstairs.

Then the fun began! (And I have some serious bedhead in these pictures. Oh well.)


Milo, the helper dog.


Santa found a GUP! No small feat, Santa. Good work.


AND horses for Gillian! She so wanted those!


Dino transformer and Cinderella dress! Minions, Mo Willems, and princess books! That Santa did work this year.






So very helpful.


We needed some nourishment after all that present opening.


We were then off to Grammy and Papa Frank's for some yummy roast beef and more gift opening (of course).


And some dancing. G loves to make her Uncles dance her.


Hey look! Mommy and Daddy were there too!


More presents.




Clothes? How disappointing....


Doll house families? That's better.


After a fun afternoon with Grammy, Papa Frank, Uncle D, and Aunt Cedes, we were off to see Dickiedoo and Noonie at Uncle Stevie's house. Since Noonie had shoulder surgery a few weeks ago, Uncle Stevie and Aunt Emily volunteered to have us at their house. It was great to see all the work they've put into their "new" house! Looks fantastic! And they cooked up a yummy ham dinner too!

G helped Dickiedoo disperse the presents.




Handsomest boy in the world...


Sparkle hat!


Most annoying robot ever...


Fancy lady. She loves this tutu Noonie found for her!


And she was off.


Even Daddy got in on the dancing. (Dickiedoo too, but he was soon dizzy!)


By this point we had to crazy, wild, overly tired kids. And parents! So back to GraGra's for some sleep. And present reorganizing. We debated about staying one more day due to some nasty predicted weather, but in the end we decided to start early the next morning and head home. The weather was YUCK for half the trip, but Daddy got us home safely.

Another wonderful, magical Christmas. And we are so lucky to have so many loved ones to share it with!