December is a busy month here filled with slumber parties, dinners, singing, nativity, chimes, new pjs, birthdays, and the grand Christmas Eve barn experience and extended family dinner. It is a very busy month and lots of cooking when everyone is here...but worth all the effort!
About the month of June I start listening to the grandchildren as they express some of their ideas of things they may want for Christmas. Seems early to alot of you... I keep my ears open) Some of them are very outspoken while others are happy to have whatever comes their way. There were three gifts this year which I was so excited to see the kids open. One was Princess Aurora Maren had been talking about for a while. Mckay, had been talking of a double edged nerf sword ,and Lucy loves Little ponies and wanted Princess Cadence. I start looking for great sales and black Friday sales, I use coupons and I go on my my adventure to pick just the right thing for each grandchild. I start early as to be able to purchase things at a bargain... mainly because I have 11 grandchildren, my own children and spouses and family in Virginia I like to get gifts for. Below are some of these moments captured in photos. Some are so Precious! The only thing that could have topped all of this was if Spencer and his family were with us! Maybe in the future!
Lucy, Taylor, Maren and Benson getting their share of ice cream.... can't come to Grandma's without ice cream!
Lucy and Maren... best friends.
Gracie and Benson are so fun . They play so well together!
Taylor and Andrew found a perfect spot to escape the little ones... under my dining table area.
Clarke and Elise taking a break and watching the kids play the WII which was a big hit!
Christmas Eve pajamas. If you are at my home the tradition is you get a pair of pajamas.
This year we were blessed to have Charlotte's parents join in our Christmas Eve barn celebration.
Ally, Hannah and Sarah singing carols.
Clarke, Elise and Uncle Leon enjoying the songs! This year the weather was perfect...last year was freezing!
Maren.... a shepherd!
Lucy the angel!
Hannah and Devon both wanting the horn. I believe Devon was being a sweet boy and sharing!
The nativity cast! Great job... always the highlight!
The chimes are always a hit and the kiddos loved the song they could bang them as much as they wanted and as many times as they wanted. It was beautiful music!
Christmas day we gave Taylor a weaving loom so she could make pot holders. She loves crafts!
Here is that doubled edged nerf sword... it was a hit!
Ashley and Hannah.
This was a great kodak and touching moment as Maren opened her gift and got the Aurora doll. Made all my shopping worth it!!!
I turned a big 56 this year. For the past 5 years I have been able to have lots of granchildren to my birthday.... hopefully many more to come!
Hannah got a dolly that giggled when she pressed the tummy. She was so cute with this doll. She has a lot of love in her and gave this baby many hugs!
Taylor checking under the tree to see if there were any more gifts!
Allyson had just had her wisdom teeth out and had a dry socket but was a trooper and went with us to Sarah's on Christmas day. Hannah and her were great together. They will miss her for the next 18 months. Clarke told me that when he told Lucy Ally was leaving for 18 months she cried. Isn't that so sweet.
Benson loves blocks and trains... so this was a perfect gift for him and I was so glad he liked it.
