HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MCKINLEY!

                                                  Have a wonderful 5th birthday!  See you soon.

Catch Up Time

I haven't done posts for awhile, so here is up has been going on.

We had several outings with our Billikens' friends, Jan and Bob this basket ball season.

We celebrated Nancy's birthday at our house this year.  We bought her a cart that she could use at the flea market.  She used it last weekend and she helped her to lean on it as she went up and down the hills. 

In February, my cousins got together at my Mother's house to exchange picture files.  We had a great time.  My cousin, Donna, found a "yearbook" my Mom put together as a kid and gave it back to her.  She said she had forgotten about it. 

We continue to contribute to Nancy's chicken eggs production.  I sell some of them at work and give her all my food scraps the chickens love.  In return, I get all the eggs we can eat around here.  Some of the eggs are exceptionally big.  On the left is a large egg, on the right is an extra large egg.  You cannot buy any better eggs than Nancy's eggs.  No steroids or antibiotics are ever given to the chickens.  They get lots of fresh water, fresh food (plus their chicken food) and exercise.  They are the best tasting eggs I've ever eaten.

I found 3 great deals!  I bought coats for Lanie, Mckinely and Grant for next winter.  I couldn't find one in Jackson's size or he would have gotten one, also.  So 3 out of 4 ain't bad!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Instead of going to a parade or going to the St. Charles County Caucus, I babysat for my g-girl, Lanie.  It stormed for several hours and we even had to hunt up lights because the electric was off for almost 2 hours.
Later we made chocolate chip cookies.  Lanie had been sick all week and must be feeling better because she ate non-stop and asked to go to bed at 7:30 pm.  She is sleeping soundly even now.

It was scarey, fun day.  The CC cookies made it all better.
Happy St. Patrick's Day all!

Happy Birthday, Jim!

Jim's birthday is Christmas Eve.  We had the kids and g-kids over for lunch, then opened presents.  We saved cake until last.  Bowers' and Kuhls' were both here.  Since the Kuhls' didn't come for Christmas, they opened their presents on Jim's birthday celebration. 
After the kids leave, we go to our friends house, for another birthday celebration and dominoes. If we make it that late, we go to church with Nancy and Ed.

Chocolate camo cake

Jim's second cake....carrot yummy!

Jackson

This is what happens when you stay up until 5am partying - you sleep with Big Bird.

Mckinley was very excited to get cake!!

Merry Christmas Season

Several years ago we started having "Christmas" earlier in the month so there is less stress on everyone trying to make it here.  My sister & her husband, being a police officers often have to work or be on call during on the holidays, so this works well for them also.  I have it during the day because the older people do not like driving at night and I can get some rest in the evening....so this seems to work well for everyone. 
     This year Helen's Mother, Mildred joined us.  She is almost 91 and said she really liked the food and the company.  The kids were really good and this year Harrison and Lanie were old enough to play with Logan.  They got along so well and played until they dropped.

Lanie & Harrison, they love to eat together or maybe they just know it is expected of them.

The Grandma's eat with the kids so they get more time with them.

Harrison insisted Beth eat with them. 

See! he is so happy!

"Tinkerbell, Tinkerbell!" is all Lanie said the whole time she opened her big gift.

Hailey joined us after a funeral.

Seth loves hanging with the little kids and playing with their toys.  It makes him smile.

As close as I could get to a Bowers' family photo.

Logan and Harrison play with their cars.

Helen and Mark

Beth and Annette, I wonder if she will shrink like I did.

My vegetable Christmas tree was a hit, not once, not twice, but three times this season!

Happy Birthday, Sara!

Hope your day is fun!

Peril

is the name of my cousin's first book.  She has been contracted to write a trilogy of Christian suspense novels.
Yesterday, she had a book signing at her church  and talked about how the book came about.  I guess when you have 3 kids, home school them and run them all over the place, there is time to sit and think about NASCAR,  religion and the secret service.
Several of my cousins were there also.

Suzie and me holding her new book.

Three of my other cousins were there.  From the left, Donna, me, Lori, Debbie and Suzie. Lori & Suzie are sisters and Donna & Debbie are sisters. 
We are planning a bigger cousins reunion after Christmas for the purpose of scanning pictures and trading some off to each other.