Kate and Lillian

Oh How I miss my grand daughters! It has been so long since they left.... but we are able to talk on the phone and email all the time.

Lilly Bean is almost finished with first grade and Kate is almost finished with 9th grade!!!!! WOW!
Did I say that I miss them?  I DO!  And I know that they miss us too.  LillyBean calls and asks to talk to each person in the family.... Today she called and said, "I would like to my new Aunt Alli!" 
That little girl is just sooooo sweeet!  I am REALLY hoping they can all make it for Thanksgiving!
IF they can, and Joe and Becca make it too, we just MIGHT all be together once again, and for the first time! :)
I LOVE my family, each and every one of them.... but as they get older, it is hard to get together.

So glad that there is Email, Facebook and Blogging..... They keep us all connected.

Creating Lasting Holiday Memories

What are some of the things ya'll do every year that make new, positive and lasting memories for your children?

Many years ago, when we were very poor, we couldn't afford Christmas Ornaments, so I had this bright Idea to bake cookies with hooks in them to decorate our tree.  I had to fabulous Dutch Christmas Cookie Recipe, and hooks were cheap! 
Our tree was so pretty with all those cookies. But our baby Marcus, found out that they ornaments tasted WONDERFUL.  I caught him licking them, and  then, I saw ANTS! Apparently the ants thought they tasted good too! I think we were the only family on the block that had an ant poison jar under our tree. LOL
Over the years, we kept up that tradition, and we do it to this day, 30 plus years later.   We have always had assembly line cookie decorating day, and the cookies get put on the tree and then disappear with just hooks left. :)  It really is fun, and I have wonderful memories of this practice. 
It is something we all look forward to.

7 years ago, we started decorating Ginger Bread Houses.  It is now a tradition. Our grand girls have always come over to help, and this year, sadly (sniff) they won't be here, as they moved to Albuquerque.... but I'm sure they will do their own, and we can share pictures. :)

This year I bought two sets because the grandsons will be here to decorate.  I'm hope to have one for the girls and one for the boys.  I can't wait to see them get all messy and see those little smiles. :)

Here is a post from last year's decorating.

We love to make our own ornaments and we add to the tree each year.  For many years, most everything on our tree was home made.  Now it is a combo of purchased ornaments and home made.

The girl's tradition has been to buy a new ornament from Hobby Lobby each year. They get to pick one.  This has really, REALLY helped them in transitioning bad memories to good memories.  It is funny how little things like this done repeatedly, reboot the brain and teach us different responses over time, replacing our traumatic memory with good memories.  It does take time, but it happens!

I think keeping busy with planned activity is a good way to get through the season.  We like to sing Christmas music and the girls as well as the boys love to put on skits.  We have a big celebration at Church and this year we will all be participating. 

We try not to emphasize too much in the gift department, although we do give gifts.  We also like to do angel tree, or find a family in need and the children get to shoppe for that family.  It really is enjoyable to see them give.

Cooking is a big deal....and trying out recipes make for great bonding time in the kitchen.  This is something that is different with our girls. Our guys were great taste testers, but not that interested in Food Science. The girls however, love to cook. :)

I am really thrilled to see my girlies facing the Holiday season with excitement.  It is catchy, ya know. :)

Albuquerque or Bust!

Well, they are gone. My heart aches. But I really think that Albuquerque is a good move for our kids and grand girls. We will miss them, BUT.... There is the International Balloon Festival every year.

I LOVED living in Albuquerque before Texas. I really miss it, even over 20 years later!
Apparently Chuck does too. They will be living just down the street from where we lived before.

He has all pleasant memories in Albuquerque and Jodie's new job is turning out to be a great fit. Kate and Jodie left last week to get things set up, and they are so excited.
They have already been to Petroglyph National Monument, Santa FE, Old Town, and more.
















Be Safe dear children. We love you, and we will miss you.

Birthday part 2: The LAKE

Erika requested her birthday cake at the lake with a BBQ. So that is what we did.
We picked up the grand girls and headed to the lake. Daddy came when he got off of work and we had a wonderful dinner and cheese cake for desert.

We stayed until sunset. :) It was a beautiful day.