Christmas Celebrations 2014

The kids let us sleep in a bit on Christmas morning - that was nice!  After everyone was up, the kids opened their presents.  This year, I wrapped their stocking items in a small box and put them under our "clump of small trees"...the kids never realized that the presents were really for them! They all got candy and a small Lego set.  The girls received a jewelry set while Will received some money.

The kids continue to do their shopping at the Awana Christmas store.  They have a lot of fun selecting items for their siblings as well as their parents! Kaitee received this blanket from Maddie - I think Kaitee likes it as she drapes it around her everywhere she goes in the house!

They saved their big gift to open last.  All of them knew what they were getting - but some had forgotten (they picked out 2 or 3 things in October that they wanted and we chose from there).  All but Alex chose Lego sets.

Alex made a deal with us - she would go half and half with us on Isabel, the American Girl doll of the year.  We purchased the doll when we were visiting Kansas City in October.  She was so proud of herself (as were we!) that she had saved up all $60 of her part of the doll.

Our initial plans were to go to church on Christmas Eve and then head to Becki's parent's house for Christmas with the Barman family.  Unfortunately, Debbie's family was sick so we postponed our Christmas with them until New Years.  We at dinner then Becki's mom introduced the "Barman Tree-Skirt Singers".  Each grandkid performed a song by singing, piano, percussion or flute...Kaitee also wrote a Poem and recited that for us...

'Twas the Night Before New Year's (She literally wrote this in 15 minutes)

'Twas the night before New Years,...
When all through the town,
Everyone was watching as
The New Years' ball dropped down.

The countdown to 12,
The excitement right then
And you finally notice:
2014 is now a has been.

Cross Country is done for,
And volleyball, too.
It's out with old year,
And in with the new.

Bye-bye kid years,
Hello to teens! [her 13th birthday is in May]
To me, no-one
knows how much it means!

Good-bye, December,
Good-bye ebola and ISIS,
Good-bye 2014,
Hello to a year full of hope for no crisis.

So, Will was being shy and (possibly) a bit tempremental...he didn't want to perform anything.  Brad encouraged Will to do a song with him.  Yeah, had us all laughing!

Maddie was nervous about performing but did it "for Grammy".  Afterwards, she ran over and gave Grammy a hug!

The TreeSkirt Singers!

We put the younger kids to bed...after ringing in the new year a few hours early...then hunkered down for the remainder of the evening with snacks and Catch Phrase.  It is always so nice to laugh and have fun with family!

We all spent the night and woke up to the smell of Grandad's Biscuits & Gravy!  Yum!  After breakfast, Grammy got the kids rounded up for the annual Christmas pageant. 

Gabriel visiting Mary

Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem

Sheep & Shepherds being visited by Angels

All of the cast, including Kayla who played music for the whole performance and Grammy, the director.  What special memories this pageant has given us!

Time to open presents!!!

Doll set from Grammy & Grandad

Lego Friends Encyclopedia from Barb & Willy

Lego Chima Encyclopedia from Barb & Willy

Lego Set from Grammy & Grandad

Lego Advent Calendar from Grammy & Grandad

Isabelle Accessories Set from Grammy & Grandad

Grammy & Grandad

Brad & Debbie

All of the kids also received a stocking with candy and goodies as well as a craft kit from Becki's aunt & uncle.  They were/are spoiled!  We were blessed by our time together with everyone.  Merry Christmas & Happy 2015 to you!