Christmas, Part 3

December 25, 2013

Christmas at Richard & Mary's

UNCLE KOEN IS HERE!!!!

 And he's sort of like Santa Claus! 

An Uncle Koen outfit.  Ryan will look so snazzy!

One of Ann's special stuffed animals for Ryan.  

Ducks for each family - yay! 

{stay tuned for the story about the duck family}

Grandma Mary and Ryan. 

Teresa and Karen. 

Cyclone Christmas - the basketball team played in a tournament on Christmas eve in Hawaii.  We had to tune in!  Even Koen was watching.  

Swimming!  

Hannah, Grandma Mary, Ryan, Grandpa Richard, Will, Lucas, Nick

(back) Claire, Adele, Caleb, Abby

Claire, Ryan, Koen, Will, Lucas, Hannah, Nick

(back) Adele, Caleb, Abby

All dressed up!

The whole clan! 

Reservations for 18 - wowza.  

birthday weather

Two years ago, I wrote about the great weather we were experiencing on Hannah's first birthday.  It was crazy nice weather.  It was 60 degrees and we played outside, Lucas rode his bike, we even went to the park.  I even wrote that it probably would be the only birthday she ever has that the weather is so pleasant.

Yesterday, on Hannah's third birthday, the weather was not nice.  Not even close.

School was cancelled because of dangerously low windchill.  -46.  Needless to say, there was no playing outside on this birthday.  

THREE!

She's sweet, smart, helpful, independent, ornery and she's THREE! 

Happy birthday, our sweet girl. 

Christmas, part 2

OUR FAMILY

For nine years, Brent and I have gone to church on Christmas Eve and opened presents on Christmas morning.  Each of those years we headed to my parents by mid-morning Christmas day.  That worked well when there were only two of us.  Along the way we added the blond babes above.  The last couple of years it has been pretty chaotic to wake up Christmas morning, open presents to each other, see what Santa brought, eat/bathe/pack for everyone and hit the road for a three hour drive.  This year, our tenth married Christmas, I finally agreed to open our family presents to each other on Christmas Eve. {Brent's been trying to talk me into for three years ~ he's gonna love this next part ~} It worked so well!  We had plenty of time to enjoy church, a nice family dinner and then open presents.  The kids had time to play with their gifts and enjoy our time together.  Christmas morning was still chaotic (I should've packed sooner) but it worked really well.  We probably have a new tradition.  

This is mostly what Ryan thought about Christmas.  He asked if every gift was edible ;-) 

One of mommy's favorites - a handmade calendar from Lucas.  Each month of the calendar has a special picture made from his hand print.  I was privileged to help 22 kindergartners in Lucas' class make these special calendars for their mom & dad.  

He really looks intent on this one!  

{And as the days have passed since then, he really does love this toy!}

The chef and waitress.

Princess dresses!

P.S. There is a whole lot of tulle in that box.

P.P.S. These fit really well in the box when I folded them up and shoved them in there… they don't fit that well when the three year old puts them away. 

Our gifts ~ everyday!

Christmas, part 1

PERRY {extended} FAMILY CHRISTMAS

November 30, 2013

Uncle Gary, Nick holding Jacob, Tricia, Hannah in Leslee's lap, Lucas in Brent's lap.

Hannah and Leslee. 

Patiently waiting. 

Great Grandma Perry, Connie, Steve, Richard, Tamma and Kayleen, Brooklyn and Audrey are opening presents.  

Aunt Susan ~ the baby whisperer ~ and Ryan (5 months). 

Andrea, Audrey, Darin holding Cody (7 months). 

Lucas, Uncle Brian and Hannah.  

Discovering. 

Love from Daddy.  

Hannah helping Great Pa.  

Erica, Mike and Aunt Joan. 

A present! For me?

Hannah and Kale. 

Meanwhile, there was a wild game of kickball happening upstairs. 

Lucas was all-time pitcher. 

Look at those moves! 

Right down the center for Dad!

Cheerleaders! 

Lucas' turn.

The family tree!

Steve (Connie), Karen (Ken), Susan (Mike), Great Pa, Joan (Gary), Richard (Tamma)

Steve (Connie), Karen (Ken), Susan (Mike), Great Grandma, Joan (Gary), Richard (Tamma)

A good family to be a part of :-)