Grandma

We lost Grandma, my father’s mother, in December.  It was a beautiful funeral in many ways.  I’ve always questioned the term “beautiful funeral” until Grandma’s; it couldn’t have been more perfect.

The weather was warm, just the way she liked it.  The mass was personal and in every way the tradition she loved.  Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were there.  A meal was prepared she would have been very happy with, including many of her special recipes. And we all spoke of her life and her loves: family, travel, cooking, her faith.

 

My wonderful siblings – Gina, Ryan, me, and Krista 

My whole amazing family, including mom and dad.

Most of her grandchildren

Grandma’s children - now

And then, with Grandpa too.

She loved her family:)

December in almost one post

I felt like all of my online time in December involved online shopping, a.k.a. the great deals hunt of Christmas 2010.  So between expanded work duties and Santa obligations, not to mention the plethora of school activities, I got behind on my blogging.

So, in an effort to give my someday-grown children an insight into our holiday busy-ness this year, I’m attempting my own month-at-a-glance.

Everyone “helped.”

   

Oops!

Rebuilt.

Rea’s mole project.

Keaton’s baby from school.  She was amazingly lifelike.  She needed feeding, burping, changing and kept Keaton up at night.

 

We waited until she coo’ed and was happy before handing her to eager “big sister” Peyton who was dying for a turn.

Yeah, it didn’t go well.

Fancy Christmas lunch and Santa.  

Peyton’s school program.  She was the loudest singer during the weeks of rehearsal, but she couldn’t get a word out at the performance.

Jam packed November

I promise I’m still around.  Unfortunately, I’ve been doing more online shopping/Santa gift hunting than blogging lately.  That’s not to say I haven’t been taking pictures; I always take pictures. 

So, being the slacker that I am, I’m going to fit as many November activities as I can into this one post because I’m just lazy efficient that way.

Hayden’s school choir presented a Veteran’s Day program and my Mr. Man led the Pledge and sang out mighty and loud in the choir selections.

His choir also performed at a minor-league hockey game.  It was our first hockey experience, and while Reagan, Keaton, and I froze to death, the younger three children had a blast.

Hayden soon figured out the how true hockey fans support their team.

Landon had a school buddy there (thank goodness.)

And Peyton pranced around as usual. 

Landon’s big first grade Thanksgiving program was last week.  I doubt there was a first grader more excited.  He rehearsed at home, rehearsed in the car, rehearsed in the store and at the doctor’s office; he was serious about that program.

Landon and crew “sailed” the Mayflower onto the stage.

I venture to say I had the best looking Pilgrim there!

We also attended Family Fun Night again last week.  Our church’s single parent ministry is so wonderful and we love going to every activity they put on.

Reagan and pals goofing off.

He’s sooooooo handsome!

Conga line!

Hayden played Chubby Bunny.

Cupid Shuffle is his favorite dance song.

Mwah!

Our dear friends, April and Craig, had their twins, Thomas and Daniel, dedicated last week.  Look at this wonderful family:

Beautiful April had all six of those children; you sure can’t tell!

Reagan and her BFF Tori acting up as usual.

But so very pretty.

The party afterward was wonderful as well.

And my three girls posed for pics.

 

Whew!  November has been crazy busy!