After (the post holiday) Math

Christmas seems so long ago....

 But I found some photos hiding on my cellphone, and suddenly it still feels like yesterday:

 Loved spending a night helping Heather decorate the old tree she grew up with.  Have to confess, it looks all happy and new with her new ornaments and modern style!

 And having Dan around for the quiet times when I didn't bring along the camera was as wonderful as the celebration times.

Along with Christmas, the end of the year brings several family birthday celebrations as well.  Brian's birthday always comes and goes without much fanfare on our part.  Just a few days before Christmas, he does get missed.   We need to plan a middle of the year celebration next year, Brian!  So you can have your own celebration and we can be part of it!

 Makinzee's birthday is a few days past Christmas.  And this year it came on a Saturday, which was perfect for another family party!  Those who could make it joined together at Red Robin for lunch.  The servers brought out a couple of stacks of onion rings, ON THE HOUSE, just because, they said.

The Birthday Girl (below) and her girl who is looking more and more like her mom in so many ways!

 It was fun having Dan still with us.  Yes, that's Lexi with him, again.

Lexi, Dan and Mike

Stephanie and Ashlyn - two beautiful women!

My dimpled grandchildren Kamryn and Jack

Bill and his girls Karsyn and Kamryn

Missing from the photos above who were still there were Julie and Leslie, who were too close to the camera to be included. After lunch, the adults all went to see Saving Mr. Banks while the grandchildren got to play with the grandparents (us) at Mike and Makinzee's.  We had a great time!  So did the parents.

Kamryn, Lexi, and Karsyn

Sunday, the day after:

Lexi and Karsyn decided they wanted to sit at the big people's table, so Bill got to sit with the kids.  They loved having him with them!

Then came Eric's THIRD birthday, on New Year's Eve.  I'm not including many photos here because I want Tonya to be able to post some, too, and since she was too busy to pull out her camera,  I promised her copies of mine.  But, ummm, they are still hiding on my computer.  Sorry, Tonya, promise I'll get them to you right away!

A great gift from his cousins!

Luke

Opening Gifts - Again!

Kamryn busied herself building a castle for Eric.

Happy Birthday, to you, dear Eric!  Happy Birthday to you!

Grandpa gets a smile!

Happy Birthday, Charmer!

 Edna Celebrates her Birthday a week into January.  On Saturday the Fourth, we overran Chuck-a-
Rama with all the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids who were happy to come help celebrate with her.

Table for the young ones.

And the Young At Heart Ones

What's Missing?   Ann and Tony and the decorations!

Howard and granddaughters

Mike, Makinzee, Lilly, and Leslie

Emily, Branch, and the little guy

Kamryn, showing off those dimples again!

Sometimes Ashlyn still seems very young, but other times - like on this night - she's right up there with the older cousins.

Hugs for Grandpa!  (There was some joke going on, can you tell?)

Lilly's Whistling!

 There were many other photos taken, but they, sadly, did not turn out.  I still have so much to learn about photography ....

And then, on Edna's Actual Birthday (Jan. 6) a few of us gathered to eat up her cake and ice cream.

(Sorry - too late I found out the focus was set all wrong)

 Happy Birthday, Edna!   We love that you are celebrating 88!


Sunday, Jan. 12
One more cell phone photo.  Just had to capture Heather learning all about Knex (oops - Magformers - thanks, Stephanie)  from her nieces.  (Hmmm - birthday ideas.)

It's been so fun.   Crazy busy times!
I must say, I love my family.  I love each and every one of you.  My life is so blessed!