Christmas 2015

Christmas Eve was spent at the Taylor's house with round one of gift giving.

Violet was very excited to open presents but extremely overwhelmed with all the new toys. We probably could have just wrapped empty boxes and she would have had just as much fun.

As my family gets larger, the number of presents increases. Even Lincoln got several gifts and he has no idea what's going on.

Jamie volunteered to cook dinner and spent most of his time in the kitchen either cooking or cleaning up while keeping his ear glued to the Lone Jack fire department monitor.

Ashley had to work on Christmas, so I was glad we were able to have some time together as a family.

Violet only allows so many pictures of herself to be taken. This is a set of wooden magnetic dolls that you can put different outfits on - the equivalent of paper dolls when I was a child.

The next morning the Taylors headed to Sedalia for Christmas with Jamie's family before everyone came to my house on Christmas.

I didn't put out as many Christmas decorations as I usually do. I'd like to say it's because it's too big of a distraction for Violet. But the truth is I just didn't want to put everything away after Christmas.

Honey baked ham was on the menu this year along with potato salad, baked beans, Teresa's popular deviled eggs,

and Karen's fruit salad and scrumptious cream pie.

Then the chaos of gift exchanging began. As much as I try to enjoy watching everyone unwrap each and every gift, there's just too many of us and too many gifts.

I kept trying to steal Dad's gift of a fruit cake baked by the Trappists of Assumption Abbey in Ava, Missouri. Not too many people like fruit cake, but it's one of my favorites.

Lincoln didn't quite enjoy the holidays as much as Violet. I feel so bad because I forgot all about giving Lincoln his stocking. It's still sitting under the tree.

But the best gift of all was the one Karen gave to Lola. The sweater says "Dear Santa, I can explain". If you know Lola, you can understand how true that statement is.

I almost forgot, I did get a family picture. My theme for my Christmas card was "ugly Christmas sweater". 

All too soon the day was over and everyone went home. Another Christmas has passed and not a snow flake in sight. Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. But I feel like I'm celebrating Christmas in Florida. I'll probably regret this statement in another month. Merry Christmas!

Michael and Ashley Get Engaged...and Ashley Graduates from UMKC!

What began as a simple graduation on a Saturday evening, turned into another exciting night of my life.

Michael and I headed to UMKC to see Ashley walk across the stage. For a winter graduation there was probably close to 300 graduates. First the doctorates, then the masters and then the bachelors. Out of all those people, Ashley was third from last to get her diploma. By that time there was total chaos in the auditorium.

Michael has been telling us for months that as soon as Ashley graduates he's going to ask her to marry him. And that's exactly what happened. He handed Ashley a card with a handwritten poem with words leading up to a proposal. Before she could finish reading it, Michael dropped to his knee and proposed. And we all cried tears of happiness. My heart was bursting with pride.

A date for the wedding has yet to be set. Congratulations Michael and Ashley and a second congratulations to Ashley for her graduation. This will definitely be a date she'll remember.

Letter From Santa

When Michael and Melissa were little, Mom used to send them letters from Santa.

Violet is starting to understand the concept of Santa Clause - at least she knows that some day soon, Santa is going to bring her lots of presents. So I decided to send her a letter from Santa. My handwriting is atrocious so with the help of my Apple computer I composed a simple letter from Santa. Since I couldn't figure out how to address an envelope using the computer, I had Ashley script the envelope. Melissa was the most confused when the letter arrived. She recognized Ashley's handiwork but Ashley denied sending the letter. There is still a little magic in the holidays!

Violet...and Lincoln...Visit Santa

As Violet gets older she gets braver with her visits to Santa.

Lincoln is just too young to even know where he is. Maybe next year she'll smile! Although all three have the same expression.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Chalk up another year for dear ole Dad!

We all gathered at one of his favorite places, Ruby Tuesday, to celebrate #89. We opted against going to Texas Roadhouse. Dad didn't want the waiters and waitresses screaming and clapping a happy birthday tune.

Michele wasn't able to join us, but the week before she was in town and gave Dad a Chromebook. I'm not sure how quick he's picking up how to use it, but the last time I was at his apartment it was still sitting on the counter and not in the trash! Happy Birthday Dad!

Lincoln - 1 Month Old

I can't believe Lincoln is already a month old. It seems like yesterday I was on a wild ride to the hospital with Melissa.

In true Melissa fashion, Lincoln will now be branded each month with his Etsy sticker. For Violet's 1 month picture, Jamie hid behind the chair and held her head up. Lincoln's not doing too bad on his own.

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Another year older for my son-in-law, Jamie.

No hats and horns and big parties. Just a small quiet lunch with Melissa, Violet and Lincoln.

The next day we all went to Olive Garden. Free desserts for me, Jamie and Dad - all December birthdays. Can you tell Jamie's taking the picture with my selfie stick? Violet and Lincoln are there but trying to get everyone in one picture gets a little more difficult as the family grows. Happy Birthday Jamie!

Living in the 60's

When I say "living in the 60's", I'm not referring to the 1960's. Not everyone can say they are living at an age when they lived in the decade. For instance my kids will be in their 80's before they can make that statement.

The advancement of technology has made it much simpler to keep track of not only major events, but day to day activities. Where we used to whip out our Brownie cameras, snap a picture, then take our roll of film to a developer and wait a week to get our memories, we can now just take a picture with our phones and share instantly to Facebook or some other form of social media. And for those times when you need to take a picture but don't have someone to take it for you, there's the selfie stick.

I played with my new selfie stick trying to figure out how to pose then push the button without looking like I was thinking about pushing the button. I'm also showing off my new "Gas Monkey" shirt that I got from Melissa and Jamie. It may be a little big but I'll never admit it because Jamie will be first in line to literally take the shirt right off my back.

Michele and her family came to Kansas City. I'd like to say it was specifically for my birthday, but Michele's conference in Kansas City sort of coincided with the day. Dad wanted a picture of the grandkids recreated. I think the top picture was taken 27 or 28 years ago.

With all the chaos there was still a little time for opening birthday gifts. Michele made me a Grandma Book for Lincoln. I promised I would complete it plus the one I received when Violet was born.

One last birthday dinner before everyone had to leave. They say 60 is the new 30...or is it 40? In my head I don't feel like I'm 61, but my body usually wins that argument.