A day in the life...

When you're a child you don't really understand that everyday life is pretty much carefree. I decided to enjoy that kind of day today. Collin spent the night and pulled it off without a hitch! He made it almost to the end of "Home Alone 2" before asking to watch the "All About" video (construction, trucks, cars, etc., his favorite!)

He tuckered out around 10:30 p.m. Each time, and it was often, that he said "Graaaa-meeee" this or "Graaaa-meeee" that, I enjoyed hearing it, including in the middle of the night and out of a sound sleep! He said, "Graaaa-meeee" we forgot to make popcorn when we watched "Home Alone." Apparently, that was part of his plan when he talked to his Mommy about spending the night here. I assured him we would make popcorn the next day and he fell quickly back to sleep on the bed we made for him on the floor. He climbed up on the couch with me as morning drew near and slipped off a couple times but said 'okay, good night' both times when I told him he had to go back to sleep. He slept till 8:00 a.m., a good night's rest for both of us...ahhhh! He ate a two-egg cheese omelet for breakfast and 1/2 a chocolate glazed donut Papa brought back from the coffee shop.

We made cookies, colored, played a game, read a book, watched more movies, put puzzles together. It was nice to enjoy a day of vacation like a child!

We went for a brisk walk with Papa and the dialogue was continuous. Two statements that stand out - "Papa, I love you" and a little later, "Grammy, my butt is itching!" haha

No real down time for this guy. He put a puzzle together while I made lunch. We had salad but all he really wanted was more of the cookies we made!

More "Home Alone 2" and puzzles while resting before Mommy came to end our overnight stay and day together. We had so much fun, can't wait till baby sis is old enough to join us! Now I think I'll take a nap!

Christmas 2010

Better late than never, huh! This is really the first chance I've had to sit down and journal our Christmas. It was wonderful!!! We are blessed to have a loving family who enjoys nothing more than being together. I know that is true for many but not for all and I never want to take it for granted. I did like many others and put the camera down as much as I could make myself so I could enjoy people through my eyes rather than the lens of my camera. I did manage to capture some of our special moments though...

Collin & Madelyn with their sweet gifts from Aunt Jannie & Uncle Dave.

Opening gifts on Christmas Eve Day with Michael & Andi...

He likes it!

and he liked the bottoms too, I think he was saying YES!!!

Cool comfies to lounge around in.

A Nike college sweatshirt for "Pops" which are his favorites but difficult to find these days.  A definite bell-ringer!

Collin & Madelyn at Gabby's on Christmas Eve.

Their home, so beautifully decorated.

and the best part, the people ~ Michael & Andi

Madelyn & Mommy

Our hosts, Dick & Barb (a.k.a. Gabby)

Barb, Kara, & Kelly and their ever-present smiles :)

Stephen, the college hunk (sorry Steve but it's true!)

Gordy, who was responsible for Gary being a satisfied Yankee Swap recipient!

Barb and I both bought something for each other that we already had for ourselves, and we're happy!

Soon the tree will come down, the decorations will be safely stored away until next year. The normal day-to-day routine of life resumes. Our pastor's message yesterday was the last Christmas message of the season. He encouraged us to 'do something Christmasy' all year long, not just at Christmas. We are hoping the Christmas spirit lives on in each one of us all throughout the year. 

Happy New Year!!!

Tree Topper

The kids came for a visit this evening and I couldn't wait to show Collin our new tree topper. After seeing our tree for the first time this year, Collin told me I should have a star at the top of the tree. I explained we do have a star but it is too heavy for our new, smaller tree so that is why we have a different topper. Today at T.J. Maxx I found this pretty, lightweight tree topper and bought it for years to come. 

When I showed it to Collin, he quickly pointed out "Grammy, that is not a star, it's a snow flake!" Duh, that got past all three adults in the room but not Collin! I told him he was absolutely right and asked if he thought it would be okay to use it even though it is a snowflake. He said yes. 
Earlier today he watched a Dennis the Menace video and was telling me that someone said Christmas is stupid. 
Collin: "Christmas is not stupid."
Me: "No, Collin, Christmas is not stupid. It is Jesus' birthday. We are going to come see you on Jesus' birthday but instead of giving presents to Jesus, we are going to give them to you." (thinking this would make him happy... wrong again!) 
Without hesitation...
Collin: "No, I don't want any presents, I want you to give them to Jesus." 

Aw, sweet boy, that is the way to think. I pray one day, hopefully soon, you will give the best present you could ever give to Jesus... your heart.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, 

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matt. 19:14

Christmas Photo Shoot

We had the bright idea of getting some Christmas photos of the kids yesterday. Megan even whipped up matching outfits for them to wear and we were all ready to go. Collin was a peach, ready to say cheese and do just about anything we asked him. Madelyn was ready to say cheese but she is on the go and it was hard for her to stay put. The M&M's did help though. You never know what you're going to end up with even though you may take a hundred pictures. Photography is not easy, especially when little ones are the subject. To our delight, we came up with some cute ones. Should have known with two cutes ones, you're bound to get a few sweet pix. Here they are...

"The Pickle"

Thanks to a dear friend, this pickle is now part of our tree and a new family tradition. Long ago when parents decorated the Christmas tree, they hung the pickle ornament last, hiding it in the green boughs. When the children were allowed to view the tree, they would begin searching for the pickle ornament because they knew they would receive an extra gift for being the most observant. We had a hunch on who would win this first year and he was delighted...

Next year I will have to try a little harder to out-smart this one, who is wise beyond his years :)

His special gift was Toy Story 3. He was hoping for a truck but I think once we watch this together he will be glad he was the first finder of the pickle!

Sweet baby girl. She was so excited when she walked into the family room and saw the tree all lit up for the first time. We weren't expecting such an exuberant reaction (should have known, she is a girl after all :) so neither of us were camera-ready. And isn't this just the cutest outfit that her mommy made!

Oh, to have the enthusiasm of a child!

This is where our job gets to be a little tougher, trying to get both of them to sit still at the same time. I don't think we got even one where one or the other doesn't have a mouthful of M&M's (our bribe!)

Giving kisses kept them together for a bit. They are very sweet siblings.

A few favorite solo shots...

Later in the evening, mommy snuck away to do some shopping and we went downstairs to watch videos. I had a great (silly) idea to have Madelyn hold "Merry" and Collin hold "Christmas" but realized early on that was NOT going to work, so we did the next best thing...

Collin is about pictured out here but he sure was a good sport about it all evening. I put the camera away and this time it was him who wanted to read stories. He picked out the perfect one for Papa...Still smiling after all these pictures but you can tell Madelyn has about had it with girlie bows :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I know ours will be as we focus on the message we heard this morning, keeping Christmas holy. And I know it will be Merry with these two beauties present!

Sweet Visit

We went up to Huntington Woods yesterday after work for dinner out with Michael & Andi. We enjoyed seeing their cozy home dressed up for Christmas. A big, beautiful, well-lit (live) tree stood tall in the picture window. A warm fire was burning inside along with some yummy smelling candles. 
We went to dinner and had such a sweet visit together. It does our hearts so good to see our son happy, content, and so loved. They are both such sweethearts. Their love for each other and for us is always evident. I love to hear Andi talk about meeting Michael, how she felt, etc. How she considered not coming to work in our area but something just tugged her this way. She did not know at the time there was a mother in Woodhaven praying for her son that God would send just the right one, at just the right time, into his life, according to His perfect will. I will never get over thanking God that it happened, what a blessing! There was a radio preacher, Dr. David Weber, who used to close his program with "God is still on the throne, and prayer changes things."  YES He is, and YES it does! I'm here to tell you...

The tree was aglow with beautiful lights but the flash somehow 

canceled them out. Will have to work on how to correct that!

Now that he has his own tree he can hang as many MSU ornaments as he wants, 

rather than the one we used to hang in inconspicuous spots on our tree at home :)

... and THIS one must be by preceded by - JUST JOKES!!! ha ha... Michael was being a good sport!

LOVE YOU!!!