the gifts of Christmas

The biggest gift has been that Dahlia has been feeling much better these past few days, having overcome major issues with her right lung and a potentially serious bacterial infection. Check out Emily's blog for cute pictues of her in her Santa hat and reindeer booties (my camera battery lost power that day).

After our day in the hospital, Jessica and Walter took us for a drive around nearby River Oaks.

Yes, Walter is finally home from the Carribean, and sporting a new hairdo, thanks to him losing a bet that U. of Houston would win the Conference USA Championship. He had to shave his head.



It was magical!

A few more of the older grandkids got to sit at the "big" table on Christmas Eve

while the younger ones had to sit at the kids table. (I should have replaced Super Man with Santa Claus.)

After a Christmas Eve "program" , the kids were excited to open their "secret pal" gifts.

Christmas is always about the children ...

We are so thankful for the gifts of two new precious grandbabies, born 10 days apart, Lorelei and Dahlia. They will be so cute playing together next Christmas.



Laila was so amazed to get what she had wished for

And so, another Christmas has come and gone, with much to be grateful for, especially our Savior Jesus Christ who is with us in our joys and our trials.

the Easter Bunny's come and gone

All that's left are a few plastic egg shells lying around in the yard, and memories.

The Easter egg hunt was held early Saturday evening. (That's why the background is dark, and in case you're wondering about Avery's mini bangs, she gave herself a haircut, and tried to tape the  pieces back on with masking tape). Everything was  fun and games, as seen in these smiling faces, until ---

Avery got attacked by baby brother who wanted her plastic eggs, and is trying to hit her.

Looks like just a little love pat Evan is giving her, but Avery is very distressed. (In case you're wondering about this grandson's mismatched outfit, he insists on picking out his own clothes.)

The grandkids were in a delightful, sugary mood for their group pictures taken after church on Sunday. (In case you're wondering about that strange creature on Evan's lap, that's Jessica's pooch minus all her fluffy hair.) (And in case you're wondering, I sure do miss those 2 cute bunnies in Minnesota who should be in this group picture.)

a lovely day

The day started off with breakfast for the two of us, with heartshaped pancakes for my sweetheart (heart-healthy, of course, made with oat flour, white wheat flour,flaxseed, cherries, almonds, etc, -- topped with peach yoghurt, blueberries) I just take a regular buttermilk pancake recipe and do substitutions.)

Then the mailman came and brought a surprise all the way from Minnesota --

The grandbabies painted these hearts!

This totally made our day! Thank you Saige and Colby (and mommy for being so creative)!
And it's only 10:00 a.m. What a great start to a lovely day.
Happy Valentine's day and love to all!

start of a New Year -- 2011

I woke up New Year's morning to this. Eight of the grandkids stayed overnight New Year's Eve (a tradition) and had so much fun playing with each other.

We spent New Year's Day afternoon at Brazos Bend Park -- the alligator park. The kids were amazed to see a 16 foot alligator sunning itself on the shore.

Doing a head count to make sure all the kiddos are still here!

And of course, they're all accounted for! Their Grammy kept a close eye on them, and was ready to wrestle an alligator or two if needed.
A great start to a New Year. And here's a great quote to keep in mind as we journey through this new year.
(wish I had written down who said it)

"The lives of men without goals and plans slip by like shadows, leaving no trace, no legacy, and taking away no learning, no growth.  Other lives, blueprint-built rather than random-spent, leave traces in time and carry away light and power for the journey into the next world."           

cute cousins together for Christmas



Kyla, Evan, and Colby enjoying a warm Texas winter day



cousins making Christmas cookies

Saige bonding with Kyla

yummy!



                       

babies feeding babies




JOY! JOY! and more joy

         the joy of celebrating Mark's birthday when he and his family drove in from Minnesota.

                  the joy of having baby Saige in our home for her first Christmas.

the joy of warm days before Christmas to enjoy a day in the park



...and to enjoy a day at the beach just before the weather gets colder

                  the pure joy of running through the water with a grandchild

the joy of loved ones reunited (Walter home from the Carribean!)

                                    the joy of making gingerbread houses

...and seeing Andy and KayLynn celebrate their first Christmas as newly weds

the joy of our traditional Christmas Eve dinner (soup and rolls by candlelight)

the joy of Christmas morning when little ones are there

These are the things that fill my heart with joy as we celebrate the birth of our Savior through whom all  good things come.

and so the Christmas celebrations begin....



We  met at Sharon and Bill's home for the annual party for the children of Maxine and Art. 



Carl and a his Texas siblings (one is in heaven, one is in Pennsylvania, one is in Utah -- for a total of 8 children of Maxine and Art



a few of the cousins (I claim the one on the far left. The rest are nieces and a nephew.)

After Carl gave a presentation on family history, we did our traditional "White Elephant" gift exchange.

Bill is totally thrilled with his "White Elephant" gifts, especially with the hamburger patty maker. He can barbeque those hamburgers in style, wtih his new redneck hat and sunglasses.



Giving Thanks, Part 2...

Some (ten) of our children and grandchildren were celebrating Thanksgiving in Utah, others (four) were in Minnesota, one was in the Carribean ...
But, thankfully, a few were still in Texas, far away from the snow, and happily gave thanks.
                     

We were very thankful that a few of our precious grandchildren (and children) were here to liven up our empty nest.

 These two pretty princesses posed so sweetly while their brothers were getting boxing lessons from their Uncle TaTa, home from Texas Tech.

 Thanksgiving weekend also marked the 2nd birthday of grandson Colby, whose arrival sent his mother to the hospital on Thanksgiving Day. It was the most exciting Thankgiving ever.

look at this little guy, minutes old, and looking around so alertly.

From sweet baby to sweet little boy in just 2 years!

                                                       
Grandpa had a Thanksgiving surprise for me. He spent some time researching my family line and was able to come up with a Pilgrim ancestor on my side. I've been bragging about his Pilgrim ancestors. Now I can brag about one of my very own (official and solidly researched and documented!). This Pilgrim comes through my 3rd great grandmother, Margaret (Peggy) M. Freeman, the wife of Paul Nye.  I am so thankful to know that my 9th great grandfather is William Brewster.

William Brewster, along with my husband's Pilgrim grandparents, came to America on the Mayflower. He was Patriarch and the ruling Elder of the group and kept them together in good times and bad.  He played a major role in planning and organizing the trip to America and the escape from religious persecution which they suffered in England.  He remained ruling Elder until his death in 1644. We have reason to believe that William took in my husband's grandmother, Mary Chilton, after her father and mother both died soon after landing in America.

 P.S. While researching my "Freeman" ancestors, my husband came up with another surprise. Not only are we husband and wife, but cousins!!!!  We are 7th cousins, 1 time removed. Our common ancestors are our great grandparents -- Edmond Freeman (born 1683 in Sandwich, Mass.) and his wife, Keziah Pressbury (born 1687, Mass.)