Happy Birthday Mikail

Happy 15th Birthday Mikail!  I can not believe I have a child this old!  Where has time gone to?
It seems like just last month I was finding all those Binkies you had lost and desperately needed!
How is it that in one short year you will be driving a car and dating boys and needed your parents less and less?
I love you very much and am so proud of how you are choosing to live your life.
You are working really hard at school even though some subjects are challenging for you! 
I love your passion for ballet and dance.  You are so dedicated and love what you are accomplishing.
I love your vintage/modern fashion style, your hair, and your beautiful blue eyes!
I love your dedication to your friends and family.
I love that you tell us every night at the dinner table why you are eating your vegetables first, and that you are a huge "Foodie" like dad and I am.
I love that you love the color purple and country music.
I even love that you hate swim team!
I sometimes even love when you do dance moves when I am trying to talk to you!
I hope your year is amazing as you start high school this fall.  I can't believe that we only have 3 more years before you leave to college and really start your life on your own!  Always know that dad and I love you incredibly and want the very best for you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

President's Day 2011

Eli:  Mom, happy President's Day! 

Me:  What does President's Day mean? 

Eli:  It's when you celebrate George Washington and that guy with the tall hat..

Me:  You mean Abraham Lincoln?

Eli:  Did you know he took his wife to a movie and a bad guy shot him and her in the balcony?

Me:  Really?  That's terrible!

Eli:  I know, and they did not even have a Testimony!!


Love that gap between his front teeth!



Christmas 2010

Christmas is always so HECTIC!  Why...why do I let it get so out of control each year.  There is so much to do and buy and go to!  I love it!  My kids are starting to get older and I am pretty sure Eli (and Mike) is the only one who still believes there is a Santa.  It makes me slightly sad...
When the kids were little, we use to track back and forth to both grandparent's home.  It was stressful and taxing.  Mike and I usually ended up arguing Christmas Eve because we had ALWAYS offended one or anothers mother.  It's just how it is at Christmas when you are trying to spend time with everyone!  After Jane passed away, we started having Christmas at home, just our family.  I like it this way so much better.  I think the kids love to stay home and enjoy their goodies.  Everything is low-key and much less stressful.  I hope I can remember this as a grandma.  I'm trying to do this as a mom!  Cutting back this year and enjoying the moment.  Taking things slow when I can.  Taking days off to do nothing.


Baking neighbor gifts!





Pat and Ardy stopped by to join in!





Kelly and Natalie from Kentucky.





I can't wait to put all 860 pieces of that together!





the Nativity




The Shepard




A Wise-woman




Mary



Joseph





Yes, our dog Leo played baby Jesus, sacrilegious I know...don't judge!





Tired parents!




My favorite part of the day when everything is quiet, lights are low, kids are asleep waiting for Santa to come!





Anxious kids waiting Christmas morning!





Grandpa Dick is thinking of starting up a Band...



Thanksgiving Family Cruise

I know..I KNOW!  I do this every year!  I re-commit to blogging more... I am a LAME blogger.  So I am starting over, AGAIN.

We took a trip to California with my parents over Thanksgiving.  We went on a cruise for 3 days to Ensenada Mexico, then spent 3 days in Disneyland.  This was Eli's first cruise and trip to visit Mickey and he was pretty excited!  It was also my parent's first cruise, I am not sure my mom was too excited....
We had a great time on the cruise and Disneyland is always fun.



Ellie had braces put on a couple days before we left!





What's Mexico without the popular hair braiding!





Don't be fooled, it was about 40 degrees, we missed the SUN!





Mike and Gabe mastering the Art of Animal Towel folding



We decided to stay an extra day, which was Thanksgiving.  We spent the day at the beach.  Eli went crazy!  By the end of the day he completely had his pants off and was drenched!  Later that evening we tried to find a place to eat a Thanksgiving dinner in Long Beach.  We ended up eating the WORST food of our lives at Hometown Buffet!  The place was filled with homeless people which I did not mind but it freaked the kids out.  This older lady kept talking to Gabe and bringing him desserts.  She was fond of him because he reminded her of her brother.  Gabe handled it so well!  Mike and I were laughing at the whole episode and I know the kids will never forget this Thanksgiving!