Punch Game

This Christmas my dad and mom did something fun with the kids.  They created a punch game for the kids to get some presents.  Each kid got 3 punches.  They loved it!

Cousins

Warm and Snuggly

This year for Christmas my mom made all her grandkids a homemade quilt.  My kids all adore their blanket.  It was definitely a labor of love.  Thanks Mom for keeping everyone warm!!!

Christmas morning

With all that we have had going on with our house the past few months, Christmas morning came fast and furious this year.  Usually we have our tree up right after Thanksgiving but this year it wasn't up until the week before Christmas.  I am grateful for another holiday spent with the family.

Note: my deck door was OPEN!!  It was crazy warm that day.  

Smoochers

One of our favorite traditions is our advent calendar.  Greta called it the "Alvin" calendar this year.  Love it.

I love the sister hug going on in the background here.

Star Wars hat

Chilling' with her new kindle

Shorts...crazy!  And those girlies love their daddy.

Christmas Eve

Every year I put my dad's photography skills to the test and have him take our picture around the tree.

Monkeys

These two both love love love to climb.

This little girl is super strong.  Steve often jokes, "You don't want to mess with G!!!"

Cast!!

For years it has been a dream of Claudia's to be in a play or a musical.  It just hasn't worked out, the opportunities that presented itself didn't make sense to our schedule.  We knew once she started going to school she would be able to audition there.

We've talked about it over the years and I was never involved in theater and didn't know what skills really are required.  I know she can sing well and loves to act, but I didn't want her to be over confident and then be heartbroken.

A few years back Claudia caught the greased pig at the local fair and my good friend from high school said to me, "That girl is so determined.  She can do anything she sets her heart on."  It stuck with me because I hadn't ever really thought of her in that way.  As her mother, I knew she was strong willed and could carry a good argument, but never thought of it in the light of 'determination'.

My dear, sweet, determined girl walked right into that audition and nailed herself a role in Grease!!!  She got cast as Patty Simcox.

Though the next few months seem a bit daunting as I look at her practice schedule, I am so happy for her that she gets to do something that she's always dreamed of.