Happy 8th Birthday Lindsey!!

Lindsey turned 8 today..... Each grandkid gets a choice of monkey bread, cinnamon rolls or mini muffins for the breakfast delivery... Well we had a small problem with our oven and it was out of commission... so what is my favorite line... if it doesn't work out ... PUNT!!!  Well we punted and scored......she was very happy with our fill in of choice...SHRIMP!!!!

That night Kandice and Eric  had a small party for her at our house...  Happy Birthday Lindsey!! Love you to the Moon !!!

She is wrapped in her new Seahawk blanket and her Piggie slippers....  Loving turning 8 ..

Twelve Days of Christmas...

I'm so glad Paul is on board with the 12 Days of Christmas... When I first started this years ago, I had 2 granddaughters and 2 boys.  The boys did not appreciate it, therefore they don't get it anymore & what a shame because I've gotten so much better at it *lol*... We now have 5 families - 11 kids.  Cam also doesn't get it as he is in high school and lives with his other grandma that has about 5 small children ( it's easier to explain to him why he doesn't get it then to 5 little ones why they don't and I'm not ready to take on another family) please forgive me.... With that being said..  this year it not only took me it took a couple little elves to help wrap this thing up .. so thank you Paul & Trinny  but they were done, delivered and we had 9 excited little kids and 2 babies that didn't have a clue *lol*

Movie night is always one of my favorites.  We set the kitchen up like a movie theater with popcorns, chips, nacho's, candy and pop... We watch a Christmas movie as a family  - usually a short one -those attention spans aren't very  long.. We watched Frosty the Snowman this year &  last year I was able to get Santa Claus to come visit .. Well this year Mrs. Claus was able to come too... It was awesome!!!

  Mazlin.. maybe a little old to sit on his lap...

  Mckenzie no problem telling him what she wanted ..

  Milayah.. such a good sport

  Drae ... telling him all about it

 Carson - shy at first but did great

  Grayson - Our little trooper

  Miss Harper - Didn't phase her a bit

  Was sooooo excited - her list had to be limited  *lol*

  Kinley wasn't having the man with the beard

  Addie - Finally warmed up to Mrs. Claus - Santa might have to wait a year or so ...

  Trinny  - Another good sport !!

Santa had given each child some jingle bells and a candy cane (thanks Amanda & Jenn for the encouragement - I was skeptical but they loved them) .  They sang "Jingle Bells" for Mr. & Mrs. Claus.  It was awesome..

One of my other favorite days  is #12.  Years ago I found recordable books.  So in the beginning it was Grandma Darla reading a story.  Each family get's one.. They are spendy but I keep thinking that hopefully once we are gone they will always have those books to treasure.  If you are interested.. don't buy off Amazon... I bought 3 last year that never worked.. I was so upset. I improvised and found a book that Olaf read .. they still loved it... BUT this year I found them.. Hallmark in Wenatchee and they have a sister store in Spokane.  She told me they get them every year. They may not get the specific one that you are looking for but this year I got the perfect ones.. I can't even remember what they were called but it was about Grandchildren and what a special gift they are.  They are short , easy stories to read & we personalize them at the end by saying "Merry Christmas"  to the specific children it is for and tell them we love them.  You need to look into them.

I get a lot of my ideas off of Pinterest - I actually have a board specific for the Twelve Days of Christmas..  We shop as early as we can... it's getting expensive but once you see those smiles & get those hugs... It's all worth it .. You can't put a dollar value on that kind of happiness!!!

Some of the other items we do  -   Reindeer Root beer with a $5.00 bill so they can get ice cream for floats - Christmas Craft -  Christmas Bingo -  Coloring books - Reindeer Noses (Whoppers & 1 Red Bubble Gum) -  I've done Bubbles -  Chappy Stick - 

I had a friend once tell me it's all in the packaging.. and it's true you can take the simplest gift & come up with a unique tag or wrapping and they think they have gold..

Well here's to another year of Twelve Days!!!

Four Genrations of Harmons.....

Paul's dad was diagnosed with Lou Garret's disease about 1 1/2 yrs ago.  It breaks my heart as each time we see him you can tell it's gotten worse.   We went up before Christmas - Brian & Kaylee joined us so he & Venus could meet Greyson .  Here are  a few very special pics to share..

Great Grandma Venus & Grayson ......

Happy 18th Birthday Adrian!!

Where has the time gone.... I look back at the last 18 yrs and although at times it's been a struggle ..it has been an amazing adventure to see you grow...   I love you !! Happy Birthday Adrian...

Indroducing Miss Harper Rose ..... Proud Parents Eric & Kandice

Welcome to the world Miss Harper Rose Whitaker ..

7lbs 7 Oz 20 1/2 inches long  -   She is absolutely perfect!!

Bring Your Baby To Work Day......

Mom is having a tough time... and I pray for her daily to find strength to get passed  the depression, the baby blues and to be able to enjoy her time with this precious one.  In the mean time her dad &  I will help out as much as we can ... I keep telling her this is what family does.. We all pitch in to help the one that needs it..   Amanda & Kandice have been helping out during the days, while we covered the nights.  But today the sick has plagued Amanda & Kevin's house... Kandice is in her last stretch of her pregnancy so Grandma decided it was "Take Your Baby to Work Day".. He was amazing..  the hilarious part was he pooped.. fussed & needed to eat only when the truck driver was standing in front of me wanting paperwork *lol*.. But we did it.. I'm a great multitasker that's why they call me Mom...

  All crashed out...

  Sitting by my desk watching me work

 Who needs a pak & play when you have an office chair & a Boppie!!!

Love you Grayson Paul!!!

Annual Pumpkin Patch Trip.....

Another trip in the books... Lots of laughter.. lots of fun.. lot of memories.. Love our family!!!
 ( Sorry a lot of the pics are sideways.. was one of those days)
                       
                        Lindsey's First Year ......

  Addie on the run... 

 Carson.....

  Group Picture....

   The sideways view of Amanda & Kevin *lol* 

  Paul and the boys...

  The kids loved the Rooster

  Brothers from the other mother *lol*

  Kandice ...

  Addie ....

  Drae

  The Girls..

  Kandice...

  We all met up....

 running for their lives *lol*

An amazing day!!!!