Happy Birthday....

to Grandpa Richard. It's Grandpa's birthday and like usual I saw that fact and then realized I didn't get a card off in time. We sent a bunch of emails and sometimes he looks at my blog. He's probably in bed already as he tends to go to bed somewhere around 7 I think! I cannot even imagine going to bed before 11 p.m. (we usually end up in bed around midnight and sometimes that's early). I would lie awake for hours if I went to bed before 10 anyway. We wish him a very Happy Birthday though and hope he had a great day. The kids were trying to figure out your age Grandpa and I said I think he was born 1944 or 45 and one of them said "Grandpa's 45!" like it was real old. I guess their dad and I are getting up there in age then! :)

Here were the only pictures I got of Grandpa last weekend. Lena likes Grandpa!

Happy Birthday again and again and again...

Happy Birthday to Emily (14) and Rebekah (9)! (Born on the same day)Don't they look like they could be twins. They look so much alike sometimes.

Happy Birthday Jordan (18) just 7 days after the other girls.

Birthdays, cleaning house for company, and errands have kept me from the computer. I think it went a few days without being turned on last week. For me, not turning on the computer for 3 days or more is a good thing. It can be a time stealer.

Christmas was at our house for one side of our family on Sunday. Grandpa Rich came and spent a few days with us. I spent the whole time cleaning or cooking for the big day. We did have some laughs watching some Ma and Pa Kettle videos and of course being entertained by Lena. She told us a few times, "Stop talking. Watch me."

We had a good time eating and catching up with family on Sunday. Time went by so fast that it had been one year since I had seen my Aunt Lois! I can hardly believe it. We are too busy if we didn't get together with Aunt Lois and Uncle Wayne once this year.

Have a great week. We have the normal stuff going on and a couple abnormal things to keep it interesting!

My first haircut...

Lena's hair was getting a bit scraggly on the ends but I always hesitate to cut it because it changes them from the baby look to a more grown look and I like my babies to stay babies.

Here she saw the camera pointed at her so she had to "smile".

All finished and cute as a button.

Happy Birthday Gideon...

My Giddy John turned 8 yesterday.

We started the day with cereal (not sugar kind, I've changed our old tradition of each kid picking out a birthday cereal of their choice, we had too much sugar lately and I couldn't do it with cake and ice cream coming up) Sub sandwiches for lunch to which the kids thought they were from Subway with all the choices for toppings and then the birthday dinner was Lasagna, home made french bread and green beans from our garden. We made ice cream cone cupcakes with hot cocoa ice cream. It was a wonderful day. Kevin was home early because of bad weather and we were thankful to have him here. He was even home for lunch as he and a co-worker were working in our area. I tried not to get another toy to have around the house and got Gid a lasso and steer head to stick on a bale. He seemed a little indifferent but come summer I have a feeling I'll have a real roping cowboy. Here are my two 8-year olds today. Tomorrow, Rebekah turns 9 so as tradition goes we take a picture of our two 8-year olds. We enjoyed Kevin home again and will have him at least two more days!!!! Our driveway is impassable and will be for awhile so he can't go to work! Yeah!!! He spent part of the day mudding the downstairs bathroom. We've entered the New Year together toasting with water kefir and goat's milk and are now trying to get children in bed.

Painful Periods (and Question Marks)

Here is a great article for you women out there who are still experiencing monthlies. This is from heavenlyhomemaker.com but you can click the link here and it will take you to the article. Painful Periods (and Question Marks)

More of the program...

"Angel" Lena again!
Emily and some girls singing a song.

Emily and Jordan played some duets of Christmas songs.

Moriah was the angel who came upon the shepherds.

Isaac and Gideon here with some other shepherds and little sheep.