Snow in Georgia!!!

It only happens once every few years usually, and this was the year we got snow in Georgia!  The kids were elated!  We got a whole 2 inches on Tuesday :-)  No, it's not much but it made the kids' week to play in it, go sledding, make snow angels, and of course their favorite, eat the snow!  

Thankfully the kids got out of school early and we made it home safely.  Shawn could not get home from work because all the roads were completely blocked with cars for over 12 hours.  He had to sleep at the hospital and made it home the following afternoon.  Sadly, Georgia was unprepared for even this little amount of snow (i.e. no salt or sand at all dispersed, very few plows and even they couldn't work because the roads were congested with cars).  The Atlanta metro area has been in a state of emergency for the last two days, with people stranded in their cars, kids stranded at schools, etc.  It has been tragic. Thank goodness God kept us safe!

Our first time with snow at our home in Roswell

Our Koi Pond frozen over

The back yard

Grace was making snow angels all over the yard :-)

Nicholas was determined to build a snow man, even though it was way too cold and the snow way too dry to pack for one.  He managed to make this little one all by himself and was very very proud of himself!!! :-)  Good job buddy!

Henry 23 Months

This month, Henry continued talking more and more.  He says "I love you, Mommy, or Daddy" at night when tucking him in and spontaneously says "God Bless You" when someone sneezes.   He can now say "Nickis" for Nicholas.  He has gotten pretty attached to Grace in particular lately and it's easy to see why when you see how much she dotes on him and cares for him.  He loves to play "babies" and "cook" with her.  A couple mornings I have even heard him calling "Grace, come, Grace" in the mornings from his crib instead of his usual "Mommy, Mommy."  His favorite word still continues to be "No" unfortunately.  His biggest interests this month have been playing with balls, cars and trucks, the barn and barnyard animals, and playing outside when it's warm enough.  He really enjoys holding hands as a family when we say night time prayers.  And finally he had two big firsts this month, his first haircut (a small trim in the back by Daddy) and he started his first swim lessons (he's not real fond of this yet).  So it has been another busy month for our little man!

Grace Dancing

Grace started PreBallet and PreTap class last fall at a local dance studio.  She goes every Wednesday and says she really likes it but up to this point will never show or tell us anything she has learned.  Last week, her dance studio had a "parent watch day."  Henry and I went and watched her teacher teach their usual 1 hour dance class.  I was blown away at how much she knew and how well she did!!!  I was so proud of her.  Not only did she fully participate and do everything just as she should, but she was by far the strongest little dancer in the group of 5 girls.  Of course, having parents there was a change and so a couple little girls didn't participate like they usually do.  But I just could not believe I was watching our little girl dance and use the French names to go along with all the moves!  And most importantly she was so happy and genuinely seemed to enjoy herself.  Her teacher, Ms. Mary was so great about not only teaching dance, but also how to be a lady with proper manners.  We are so proud of you Grace!!!!

A Missouri Christmas Celebration

After a nice quiet Christmas Day at home, we packed up the car and headed to Missouri on the 27th to spend a week celebrating Christmas with Kimberly's side of the family.  This year was particularly special because my brother Andy with his wife Kelsey had a new baby this year (Asher - 3 months old now) as did my sister Mindy with her husband Cody (Connor - now 8 months old).  It was the first time for Shawn and the kids to meet Connor and the first time for all of us to meet Asher.  Both are such adorable and good babies!  We all loved soaking up their sweet snuggles and kisses.  It was great that Andy and family and Mindy and family were both able to stay at Mom and Dad's with us for a few days so we could all spend time together.  What a joy for mom and dad to have all their kids and grandkids home for the holidays!
We had a fun week, even if both Henry and Kimberly got a sick for a couple days.  We were still able to enjoy a Christmas party at Kimberly's Grandparent's home, a party at my parents' home,  a ladies Christmas party at my Aunt Joyce's home, lots of outdoor time both with and without snow, a trip to the City Museum, a nice dinner and visit at the Runge home, and even a date night for Shawn and Kimberly.  All in all a great trip!!!!

The kids were all over poor Connor....they sure love their new cousin...and he was a great sport with all the attention!

The new babies in the family - Andy with Asher and Mindy with Connor

Grace was especially interested in Asher and Connor.  She kept wanting to hold them, play with them, teach them...no surprise......that's our little mommy!

Happy Henry with Happy Grandma :-)

Mommy's little buddy

A beautiful family!

And another beautiful family!

Grace loved spending time with Grandma on this trip more than ever.  Grandma spoiled her with dollies, strollers, princess suitcases and bags.  They cooked together, sewed together and played tea party together...Grace was in heaven...and I'm pretty sure Grandma enjoyed it just as much!

Kimberly's grandparents with ALL their great-grandchildren.  They were so excited to have all of the kids there with them to celebrate Christmas.  We were all so happy Grandpa's (89 yrs) health had improved and he was feeling well and back to himself for the party.  We were so glad to spend time with them!

Kimberly's wonderful Grandparents

Henry got lots of sweet snuggles from Great Grandma

Henry David with his namesake, Great Grandfather David Burkemper

We hope Henry comes to know what a great role model his Great Grandfather is for him.

Not only do they share a name, but also the same taste in Christmas plaid :-)

"Santa!"

Mitch and mini-Mitch (aka Henry)

Uncle Kevin is always fun to play with

Back at Grandma and Grandpa's, the kids had a blast playing in the tree house,  exploring in the woods, and taking rides with Grandpa on the tractor and 4-wheeler.

Henry liked Scotty a lot...from a short distance!

Admiring G & G's nativity scene

Tree house fun

Swinging with Grandma

Grace again as Grandma's sidekick

The kids loved joining in with Connor as he crawled about the house

Grace enjoying all the goodies Grandma spoiled her with

And of course always caring for her babies

We had lots of fun block building time

Oh boy, how exciting...

New tents for each of the kids....what a hit!!

And Legos for Nicholas with Uncle Andy close by to enjoy and help.

Grace thought it would be great to give Connor a laundry basket ride...Connor didn't end up thinking it was quite so great, but really a bit more scary!

G & G gave all the boys Ninja Turtle PJ's....we only got the 2 littlest ones for the picture though

When we left Georgia to drive to Missouri, there was not a bit of precipitation in the forecast for the week.  The kids prayed hard for snow all week long and would you believe...on Thursday it snowed about 4-5 inches!!!  They were elated!  It made their Christmas and both Nicholas and Grace will tell you playing in the snow was their favorite part of the trip. 

Daddy and Grandma pulled them all through the woods on sled rides

Nicholas made lots of snow angels

It was Henry's first time seeing snow.  He loved it and never wanted to come in from playing in it, no matter how cold it got or that he could barely even walk in it with all his snow gear on!

Happy outside just like Grandpa

Nicholas was excited to shovel snow

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!!!

The gift of family time was the best gift of all for Christmas! (with snow being a close second :-)

I think he is eating it

Grandpa and Daddy took turns pulling the kids on the sled behind the 4 wheeler.  Nicholas of course loved it.  Grace  found it too scary, and Henry kept begging "more, more!"

Grace preferred the pretty walks with Grandma over the the sledding.

My happy little buddy

We love to call Nicholas "Mr. Christmas", obviously because he was named after St Nicholas, but mostly because he has always had such a genuine love for the holiday.  Not so much for the gifts either like most kids.  He loves singing Christmas carols, loves learning about the Nativity, loves the decorations, loves snow, and just loves the festive atmosphere in general.  In this picture, he had been playing in the tree house by himself and we heard him coming down the path and over the bridge joyfully singing Christmas carols at the top of his lungs!  He looked like the happiest boy in the world...playing in the snow at Christmas time!

Mr. Christmas

Grace enjoyed the snow too, but I think it was the quality time with G & G  that made her like it, since she wasn't real fond of the bitter cold.

Thank you God for the great little snow to make our holiday!

We took the kids to City Museum for the first time.  It was fun but we sure were glad Nicole joined us to help keep track of the kids in all the caves, tunnels and slides.  This ball pit was a big hit with Grace and Henry especially.

Henry loves slides and is fearless with any size or any direction

Nicholas tried out the big boy ramps

And he enjoyed riding the train as well.  Grace was too timid for this one , while Henry cried because he was too little to ride.

These cool spin top chairs were so neat, even Grandpa had to try it out

No trip to G & G would be complete without a bath in the tub......Merry Christmas!