Christmas Ornaments

Jared's family has a tradition of getting ornaments every year for each kid.  Some years they are just cute ones that Mom found, and some years they are more individualized.  We have adopted this tradition at our home.  We get one for Kaity and sometimes one for us that remind us of the year previous.

Our First Christmas together

Kaitlyn's first Christmas. She was such a Daddy's Girl, right from the start. Whenever Jared would put his hand on my belly, she's snuggle. It took forever for him to feel her move because she was always snuggling to him!

Christmas 2009 - we became parents!

Christmas 2007 - we bought this in Hawaii on our Honeymoon

Kaity 2011 - She loved "Hat Buddy" so much, I had to buy several boy's shirts that year just so I could bribe her to get dressed each day!

Kaity 2010 - Kaity began coloring on everything. She hasn't stopped.  She is such a little artist!

This year, Kaity has become our little princess.  She is so interested in anything that has to do with make-up, princesses, dolls, dresses, and the color pink!

Decorating

Christmas Tree in the loft

When I moved into my house, my sister and my mom both asked the same question: "Where are you going to put your Christmas Tree?" So, to appease the curiosity, here are some photos of the already put up decorations: more to come.

Hallway, Front room on right, dining room on left

Side table in loft

Card holder in corner of stairway. I put swim bear there so you could see the size.

Olive Wood Nativity

Dreaming of those who have gone before me:

My parents, Lou & Florence

My brother, Ron

My son, John

My grandchildren, Brett & Kelli

I will see them soon

Dreaming of those I haven’t met yet:

Future generations,

I will send them off with a legacy, a smile, and a kiss

Dreaming of the day I met the love of my life

The day I gained a son and a wife

Two more baby boys followed

I raised them, all three to be great men.

The days they were married

Two beautiful women joined the family

And my four grandsons

Then two granddaughters

I watched them grow

I watched them graduate, marry, and have kids

Great-Grandkids

Nothing better than little ones

Dreaming of the day we became a forever family

Dreaming of the day we will all be together again.

The picture above was taken the day I graduated from college.  My grandpa was so happy and proud.  But it didn't matter that I had graduated from college or that I was the first one in my family to get a bachelor's degree.  I remember my grandpa coming to my spelling bee in the fourth grade and crying because he was so proud of me (I didn't win, I misspelled bicentennial). I remember that Grandpa came to EVERYTHING; primary programs even when he wasn't active, sports games, dance recitals, birthday parties.  He never missed anything.  I remember when I was able to lay my baby girl in his arms, he was so sweet and careful with her.  He didn't want to hold her because he didn't want to drop her. I will always cherish the tenderness that this big, gruff, kind man held this little new baby.  My grandfather was a rock to me, an example of Christlike love and service.  Because no matter how much I saw him do for my family and for others, I know that it isn't the tip of the iceberg as to what he did in his life for those around him. I am blessed to have known him, and I only hope to be a little bit more like him.

I will miss you Grandpa,

Love, Screwball.