Merry Christmas!

 Well, it has been a whirlwind of the last few days, so my post is brief and only has 3 pictures....I promise many more to come!  We had a great Christmas Eve at mass with my family and followed up with dinner and presents at mom and dad's house.  This morning the kids had a grand time, and more festivities happened here with my dad's side coming over with the Hollingsworths and Kathmans joining shortly after. We are so blesssed.  The kids loved all their gifts.....they even managed to remember the reason we celebrate today in the first place!  Merry Christmas and more to come soon!

Love, Gretchen

Christmas Joys.......

 Well, we've just been so blessed these last few weeks to have been able to spend it with friends and lots of family!  Here were all are at my Grandpa's home celebrating Christmas last weekend. Great times!

 Here the kids had a blast at Lily Grace's Annual Christmas Celebration at her home with friends Elliot, Blake, and Lily.  This year we were joined by siblings Addison and Beckett, and Jesse!

 The girls having lunch.....in dress up attire of couse!

 We celebrated Christmas with Lance's parents and sisters last weekend at a great restaurant, followed bu snacks and presents at The Hollingsworth home..It was great to all be together again!

 Jesse and Claire with their craft from Lily's party......gotta love those keepsakes!!

Winter Fun!

 Well, Claire's school had their 1st annual Father Daughter Dance this weekend, so Lance and Claire went and had a great time.....so that's what I've been told.  They had dinner together at Pei Wei, and then "rocked it out" (to use a claire term) at the dance!  Jesse and I spent some time together eating sushi out, then a movie.  Great times!!

 Also, Thursday the kids were out for a Holy Day, so I decided to take the kids ice skating.  We about had the entire rink to ourselves, and the kids were skating wonderfully!!

Christmas parties and programs coming up this week, so promises to post again soon!

Love, Gretchen

Breakfast with Santa and more!

 To say the very least, we have had a whirlwind of a week.  My dear friend Margaret came in from South Florida to visit for 5 days, my sister in law had a sweet baby boy, Claire went to her 1st Nutcracker, we had breakfast with Santa, and Jesse won the Christian Witness Award at school (see last post)!  We are tired, but so blessed to be surrounded by such great people and experiences!! Enjoy some of the pics!

 My brother in law Ryan with his 2 adorable children, Gracie and George.

 All ready for Christmas!

 About to head out for our 1st Nutcracker together!

 Margaret and Claire, ready to hit the town for the Opheum.

Claire after arriving at the Orpheum.....she loved the nutcracker, and especially enjoyed all the little children in the ballet!! Well, lots coming up soon, so promise to post again soon!

Gretchen

Way to go Jesse!

 Well, we were informed last week that Jesse was chosen to be the recipient of the Christian Witness Award for his classroom this 9 week period.  He, according to his teachers, has shown Christian behavior above and beyond what is expected of him. We were so very happy and had to keep this a secret from him until the ceremony after mass yesterday.  It was truly a high point as a parent seeing him walk up there in front of the school and staff so proud and genuinely surprised!  We are so proud of Jesse and hopes this continues on!!

 Jesse and the other 5th graders being pinned by their homeroom teachers.

 Boasting Jesse

 Proud Mom

 Jesse and his sweet teacher, Mrs. McQueen

The Guest Room Redo

 

 Well, our little guest room, which used to be Claire's baby nursery, has a fresh coat of paint, some new wall art, and fresh linens.  Ready for guests!!  My sweet husband panicked when he saw how much the artwork was that I had my eye on from Ballard Designs......so he copied it best he could!  And I love it! Just waiting for him to sign it...


The cornice was covered with some wallpaper that caught my eye from Seabrook, and I added a bit more to a lonesome frame across the room.  I then went on Etsy and had Single Stone Studios do the Hollingsworth decal for me.  I'm so pleased, because I've always been skeptical of vinyl "wall art." Well, hope the room makes our guests linger for a day or so longer!  Enjoy! 
Love, Gretchen

Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving!

 Well, we've got a lot to celebrate in November, with Lance's Birthday, and Thanksgiving just two weeks after that!  We celebrated Lance's birthday with Bar B Q, strawberry cake, and trick candles (which the kids got a big kick out of!) Lance was not too terribly thrilled about this birthday, seeing as it's his last one in the 30's........next year should be interesting! Happy Birthday Lance, we love you so very much!

 Well, Claire the pilgrim had a great Thanksgiving Feast with her Kindergarten classmates and their parents.  Lots of wonderful traditional Thanksgiving food was served, and the kids enjoyed themselves thoroughly!

 Claire and her friend Tyee, before digging in.

Lily Grace was all smiles as well! Well, lots to come, so enjoy the photos and Happy Thanksgiving!  We have so much to be grateful for.

Love, Gretchen

A little more Halloween...and softball too!

 Claire having a great time and yummy snack at her class Halloween Party.  It was a great success!

 Jesse, Claire, and neighbors Ryan & Jillian on their way trick or treating....they were joined by Lily Grace, who all had a very successful evening collecting yummy loot!

 Lance was a sub this week for my brother Tommy's softball team.  Lance had a great time and had 5 put outs at 3rd base.  Unfortunately, they lost and the season is over, but Lance hopes to help out again next season.

 Lance smacking that ball!

Well, lots going on this week...field trips and games, promise to post soon!!

Gretchen

A little sewing, a little carving, and a little decorating....

 Had a little time to finish up some pants and a top for Claire.  She picked the color combo......I let her "help me" by pressing some buttons.....she tells everyone " I sewed this and mom helped!"

 Lance in the zone carving Claire's pumpkin

 Jesse wanted to do his own pumpkin this year...even drew the design and transferred it on the pumpkin before carving it.  Job well done I think for his 1st one!

The kids wanted a "spider web with spiders" this year on the front porch to greet our trick or treaters......Well, of course lots going in this week with Halloween, so I promise to post again real soon!!