Merry Christmas!

We had a lovely Christmas at home this year.  While we always miss being with extended family for the holiday, we certainly do love having the children wake up in their own home on Christmas morning,  and being able to enjoy it together in our home and parish, with our own little traditions.  We went to 4:00 mass on Christmas Eve where Nicholas and Grace each played a part in acting out the Gospel.  After dropping off the kids' cards at the nursing home, we came home to (what has become our traditional) dinner of cheese soup, ham, and biscuits with Christmas cookies to finish it off.  We said a special little prayer over our nativity scenes (we have several throughout the house) and the kids were each able to place a baby Jesus into the manger.  The kids all performed Christmas songs, that they have been learning at church and school, for us in front of the fireplace and then Nicholas recited Twas the Night Before Christmas.  After opening one gift each and leaving out milk and cookies for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer of course, the kids headed to bed.  They must have been good this year because Santa brought them each three great gifts on Christmas morning!!  They all slept in till 7:30!!! and then as they came running down the steps, stopped in our bedroom (before going to check on the gifts) and shouted "Merry Christmas Mommy and Daddy!"  We were so touched they thought to do that first!  We spent the day opening gifts, playing with them, talking to grandparents on the phone, and enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner of standing rib roast, holiday green beans, twice baked potatoes, cranberry sauce, and cranberry apple crisp with ice cream for dessert.  We feel so blessed and thankful this Christmas, once again!  May each of you have a very Merry Christmas season and blessed year ahead!!!

Nicholas (shepherd) and Grace (angel) both participated in the Christmas Eve Mass , gospel re-enactment.

Nicholas, Grace and Henry sang Christmas carols for us while Samuel danced away to all of them…it was so sweet!

Santa left his note on our kitchen chalk board :-)

Santa was good this year…..

Henry couldn't wait to tryout his new boots, rain jacket and wheelbarrow!

Merry Christmas!!!

Advent 2015

Advent is always such a beautiful and joyful time of year, with all the preparations and excitement for Christmas coming, this year was no exception! We filled the four weeks with plenty of spiritual and physical preparations.  Again this year we utilized the Advent wreath, Advent calendar, good deeds manger, and the Jesse Tree to help prepare our hearts for Jesus.  The children all get really excited about these activities and we all found it helpful in keeping the right focus this season.  Nicholas, Grace and Henry each chose a toy of their own to donate.  They also each worked hard on making several lovely homemade Christmas cards, which they brought to a nursing home on Christmas Eve.  The kids all helped put up the decorations, including our new outdoor nativity scene, and helped bake Christmas cookies which we delivered to our neighbors (and enjoyed plenty ourselves too :-)  They each had a school party or play and we all went to a family work party of Shawn's that was super fun!  And of course, the annual Breakfast with Santa at our church is always a bit hit !   This year, for the first time, we even went Christmas caroling with several other families and a priest!  I'd say this Advent certainly was filled with much joy and anticipation and is one we will always remember fondly!

Cutting out gingerbread men

Decorating the cookies…the best part!

Grace played the part of Mary in her class nativity play!  Can you see how excited she was :-)

Grace visited St. George's Village, a nursing home, with her 4 year old class.  They sang Christmas carols and visited with the residents.  I was so proud of of how well she visited with them, even those who were quite ill.  She was not nearly as timid as she was when they went at Halloween time.  This is a picture of her there with two of her very best friends, Anna and Colin…and yes, she is taller than most all the kids in her class!

Henry performed 3 adorable little songs at his class Christmas party!

The annual visit with Santa……three out of four were happy this year, we were happy with that :-) Nicholas asked Santa for a Minecraft Lego set, Grace asked for a Frozen Lego set, and Henry asked for a wheelbarrow :-)

Fun at Breakfast With Santa

Spreading the joy of the season through Christmas carolling!!!

Shawn's work held a first ever family friendly holiday party at a downtown hotel this year.  They served a fabulous brunch and had several fun activities for the kids including a photo booth, gaming truck, crafts, blocks to play with and….a visit from Anna, Elsa, Cinderella and Tiana!!  Grace and Henry were both mesmerized by the princesses.  Nicholas said "I'm so embarrassed Elsa talked to me!"  Oh my!

Samuel 14 Months

Samuel continues to be a very busy little guy at 14 months old.  This month,  he made the transition to a full time walker, with no more crawling!  He toddles all around the house, often leaving a path of destruction every where he goes :-)  He loves to climb on anything he can too.  In fact, we had to put the Christmas tree up in the "lego room" this year where he is not allowed and we can close the doors off, for the safety of him and the tree!  He noticed all the holiday decorations right away throughout the house and likes to point to them and say "oh."  He has been talking a little bit more this month too, saying "mmm" when he want to eat, saying "ball" any time he sees one, and "rock, rock" for his rocking lamb.  More than any other word though he says "mama" a lot!  Separation anxiety has set in and he has become quite attached to "mama," wanting to be with me at all times and getting very upset if anyone else tries to put him to bed at night.  He follows simple commands well,  such as when we ask him to put a book away or to go get a toy.  He has learned his first body part, his feet, and has also started blowing kisses.  He still LOVES to give hugs...to any one!  He reaches for and goes to any one, whether he knows them or not, to give them a hug (laying his head on their shoulder and saying "ahhh") and then always wants to come right back to mommy.  We just love what a sweet little snuggler he is!  Our biggest struggle with him continues to be changing his diaper...he just can't stand it and puts up a fight every time.  He also remains a very picky eater.  This month he has started becoming much more interested in books, very often bringing them to us, plopping in our lap and waiting for us to read to him :-)  Sam, you are one of a kind, super active, super snuggly little guy and we love you to pieces just the way you are!!

New favorite....empty any container in a heartbeat and then climb in it!

Now that he's walking, he loves to carry things about the house.  He's bringing me his favorite book, The Foot Book, for about the 10th time in a row in this picture :-)

Here he comes with the fire truck

And a ball....he still loves to play with any ball!

14 Months and loving it!!!!

Happy 6th Birthday in Heaven Juliana!

Dear Juliana,

Happy 6th Birthday in heaven sweetheart!  This year, your birthday landed on Thanksgiving Day, just like the year you were born.  In some ways, it seems like just yesterday when we were holding you in our arms in the wee hours of Thanksgiving morning, with your deep blue eyes gazing up at us.  We could even see then, looking into your eyes, that you were made for much better things than here on this earth.  Of course we miss you terribly and would prefer you to be here with us, but we understand.  You are at the side of our Lord Jesus Christ, the goal we all have some day.  Thank you, Juliana, for the intercessions and blessings bestowed on us through your word.  You may be tiny and lived only a very short life, but your work here on earth continues in such a huge and beautiful way!  We love you and are sooooo thankful for you as our daughter and sister!!!

With Love,

Mommy, Daddy, Nicholas, Grace, Henry and Samuel

Happy Thanksgiving

This year, as it turned out, Grandpa's funeral was the day after Thanksgiving, so we spent the week of Thanksgiving in Missouri.  Though it was a sad occasion to go back, the week itself was quite nice, spending quality with Grandma, Mom and Dad, Mindy and Andy and their families, and all my extended family on both the Eisenbath and Burkemper sides.  Thanksgiving itself was held at my Uncle Marvin's Rim Rock Farm, with around 100 people and a feast to feed them all!  It was a lovely day so we were able to enjoy the beautiful farm grounds as well. 

On Friday, the funeral mass celebrating Grandpa's life was just lovely.  The luncheon in the hall and time back at Grandma's house afterward was so special to be able to see and visit with so many family and friends whom I hadn't seen in years.  The presence of so many wonderful people was a great testimony to the honorable and loving man he was!!  We are so thankful to be blessed with the family we are!

Preparing the Thanksgiving dressing

Rim Rock Farm

Inside the barn at the Thanksgiving feast

Playing around outside at the farm

Sweet Gracie Grace :-)

Soaking up time with Grandma :-)

St Peter Chanel 2nd Annual 5K

I'm so proud of Shawn for again serving as chairman for the St. Peter Chanel 5K Run/Walk.  He's been working hard on it all year long.  It was held the weekend before Thanksgiving, and just like last year, it was hugely successful!  They had almost 500 runners, hosted a super fun run for the kids, and raised around $24,000 for GA Special Olympics and local special needs programs.  I think all who ran or walked or just came out to support had a great time.  Way to go honey!!!

Nicholas ran it in 39 1/2 minutes, thanks to our good friend Scott Simmons who ran it with him!

Grace (in the pink) and Henry ran in the kids fun run after taking a ride in the stroller most of the way on the 5K.  Thank you Meghan for pushing them!!

Sam didn't love the stroller so I ended up carrying him most of the way :-)

Jason and Shawn (Race co-chairman) and John Friedline (Grand Knight)