Christmas Holiday 2017 pt 1

It has been a fun holiday season.  We were so blessed to be surrounded by all of our kiddos and grandkids this year.  Unfortunately my Grandmother had to go into surgery Christmas morning, so my parents brought the meat but had to leave.  She is recovering slowly, as is to be expected from a 93 year old woman.  Other than that we had a wonderful holiday.

Our Christmas eve was wonderful.  We had all our kids and our kids' inlaws, plus my parents for a wonderful evening.  The little kids acted out the Christmas story, Aidric performed his first piano solo, Cassandra also performed, as did Sierra on the piano.  Then Sierra (on the piano) and Danika (on the violin) played "A Christmas Hallelujah" and "Angels We Have Heard On High." They sounded so good and we all got to sing along.  Latisha had made a Christmas song book, that I made copies of and everyone was able to have a book to follow along in. We finished off the carols with Alex (on the piano) and Brent (on the guitar).  I truly enjoy this time with our family.  To top off the evening we opened our Christmas pjs and all was well.

The buffet

lots of dessert

Weston played baby Jesus

Cassandra as an angel

Sierra and Brinley

The wisemen

Aidric's piano

August thought he should try it out too

Cassandra

Brinely being adorable

Sierra

Sierra and Danika

The choir

Brent and Alex

Ivy and Brinley

The boys

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night

Shopping

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is one on one shopping.  I like to take one child to lunch and then go Christmas shopping.  They try to get all their shopping done and I get a day out with one of my favorite people.  It is good bonding time and we have fun.  I chose Tuesday's this year to take each child.  The first Tuesday after Thanksgiving Aidric and I went, then Cassandra and I, and so on.  Isabella doesn't really understand or enjoy shopping so she and I had a special day before Thanksgiving.  Each week as we approach Christmas there are more shoppers and as you get closer the shoppers are in more of a hurry and a little edgy, as are some employees.  We did it though, we are all done shopping, and I had a wonderful time with each child.  I am incredibly thankful for these moments and for each one of my children I can spend time with.  I miss those times with Alex and Latisha, it is a bit harder and fewer opportunities to have those times once they are grown and married and I guess that is how it is supposed to be.  I will cherish the times I have had and those yet to come.  I hope all your shopping is complete and now you too can rest in the reason for the season. God bless you all and Merry Christmas.  

Alicia

Aidric

Cassie girl 

Danika trying on Christmas dresses

Sierra

Tis the Season

a little blurry but we were having fun.

Just a little update as we speed through this holiday season.  This last week was a buzz with Christmas baking and various Christmas performances.  We started with David and I at the local Christian University Christmas performance (absolutely wonderful), then Sierra Danika and I went to a friends high school Christmas performance, we made and delivered Christmas goodies to neighbors, Cassandra took first in her JBQ match, and Cassandra and Aidric had a performance at church on Sunday.  I am enjoying the season and celebrating the greatest gift of our Savior.  Hope you all are too.  God bless,

Alicia

at the high school performance

Cassandra with her ribbon

cooking

our family short a few

Aidric was adorable and sang with his whole heart

Cassie also did a wonderful job

Throw in a little grandparent time

Cassandra with her niece

She is Here!!!!

A huge welcome to our new Granddaughter, Brinley Marie!!!!  Everything went wonderful and she is absolutely adorable.  I got to be there for the birth and video tape.  Latisha did an amazing job.  By the time she got to the hospital she was almost a 7 and within two hours Little Ms Brinley was here!!!  We are all thrilled and feel absolutely blessed by this little life.  God is good and we are so grateful.  Congratulations Brent, Latisha, and August!!!! Thank you Lord!

Have a great day.  Alicia

Latisha's in labor

The boys with the new girl in their lives

I was thrilled to hold my new granddaughter 

Look at that little face

Sierra and Brinley

Danika and Brinley

The lovely family

Grandpa with his granddaughter

Brinley and Cassandra

Aidric was thrilled to hold his niece 

Even Isabella got to join in the fun