Christmas with the Grandkids

Christmas Eve at Shell-bell's was lovely. Maureen told me, "I love God...because...God is...in my parents."

All the grandgirls got matching rugby sweaters and hats. We're hoping for a group photo later today. After dinner and presents, the girls spread Reindeer Magic Food on the snow so Santa could find their house.

Katie loved her first dolly-every part of it was soaked with drool.

We left KC and went to Leavenworth where we found Santa and the Missus hard at work. That pesky white tissue paper! Christmas morning, Jack and Grace waited patiently for the go-ahead.

The dinosaur hot wheels toy took Grandpa an hour to put together--plenty of time to scare Jack with the big teeth. Jack, backing up: We don't want the dinosaur to eat me today.

Luci liked her new toy too!

Grandkids are the best gift of all! Thanks, kids!

Brother Stephen

Stephen came up from Dallas with some of his artwork in tow. There were a lot of buyers there! There's yours, Frank-on the right on the floor.

And here's my gorgeous painting!

Here's part of the gathering. We also had a couple of babies getting acquainted with each other.

Big eyes! That's Katie and Madeline.

Mom enjoyed a little book I had made of her 85th birthday.

Steve and MaShell put their heads together for a little chat.

Madeline wants you to know...

5 Days 'til Christmas!

Madeline

Six-month old Madeline had surgery Thursday and is home now. She had three small incisions, one thru the belly button. She's doing well, seems to have some pain, but she is nursing and peeing--all good things. Her Mama is exhausted; but the ice is keeping me home. I wish I could help.

The baby who never cries....wails!!

Pat and Ang asked me to babysit last night. The Baby Who Doesn't Cry started in before they left. Luci didn't want the pacifier or the bottle. After 35 minutes, she was exhausted and sweating, and fell asleep. Forty-five minutes later she woke up and we started all over again. She finally took the bottle when I turned her facing away from me. Just as she finished, mom and dad walked in. Luci was a little angel then.

She turned her head completely around to see her daddy while he talked to me. I think she knows them! And she didn't know me!

No leftovers...

...the worst thing about not having Thanksgiving at home. We did have a good time at LSOP though. Everyone brought in food and we juggled it through the tiny microwave so it was at least lukewarm..
Here's Erin starting the line.The fam was all there except for Steve and Jesse :( Sean and Megan drove in from Denver. Here's Cheryl and Gary (he's going gray!) Then, Patrick T., Mike, Mom, Pat, Luci, and Nancy. Finally, Mom and Jim.

And we can't forget the kiddies. They are playing "Pin the feather on the turkey". Michelle, Grace, Caroline and Jack are ready to play. Maureen's not sure.

Then there's the babies... Kevin, Emilie and Kate were in Quincy, but Luci and Madeline made it to their first Thanksgiving. Hi, Madeline and Great Grandma!

This is 16 day old Luci (H)Ellen.
On Friday, Michelle and Patrick invited us to a room at the hotel at Crown Center to watch the lighting of the Mayor's Christmas tree. Lots of singing and speeches (that we couldn't hear) preceded it, but hey, Patrick had delish appetizers!
Once it came on, there were lots of oohs and aahs from the girls.

Maureen and Caroline in the middle, Michelle behind.
And Fireworks! That's a Christmas tradition, right?!

Afterwards we had dinner with Bob and Connie.

What a great weekend!

Kate's First Babysitters

Little Katie, who is five months old, hadn't been out of mom's sight until last night. Kev and Emilie left Gpa and Gma in charge.

Shortly after they left, I changed Kate's diaper. She did not like it one bit, and started howling. She cried for about 3 minutes and fell asleep. I think it was an avoidance technique; anyhow, she slept for 30 minutes, then woke up and needed entertainment. We tried toys, her play pad, looking in the mirror, walking around bouncing, tummy time, sitting on the couch and reading the BabiesRUs catalog. That she liked.

Grandpa tried his hand at keeping Kate happy...

...but it didn't last long...

So, another bottle, and more sleep. She was out cold, and after holding her for about 45 minutes, I tried to put her in bed. Oops! No way! So we rocked and she went right back to sleep. Kev and Em arrived and we tried to put her in bed again. Again, wide awake, but now so happy to see them that she wanted to get up and visit for awhile.

Grandbaby #7!

Tuesday, Nov. 6, was little Luci Ellen's debut. She weighed in at 8#4oz. Pat and Angie think they got a "mellow one" this time. She's a doll. We visited Wednesday night. On Tuesday, I was with Grace and Jack at home. The word came from Daddy about 6:30. They were so excited they didn't know what to do, so they ran around the house and Grace jumped off an ottoman and banged her cheek. We went from laughter to tears pretty quick. Gracie loves her new sister. So do Grandma and Grandpa!

Jack's going to show Luci how to make glove balloons.
She's so tired!

Angie unwrapped her to wake her up for a meal.

Grace had a hard time leaving mama that night. But Mom and baby went home Thursday.

Grandpa Goes to Kindergarten

Caroline's class had Grandparents' Day, so Mike went to KC Friday morning. He can tell you precisely all the many activities kindergartners do, but his favorite was the "Problem/Solution" paper she had to do. Caroline's problem? Her fish died. And her Solution? She drew a picture of a toilet! Yes, poor Tex was flushed.

Sneeze, cough, blow...repeat

Here's a whine for you. I've been sick all week, but too busy at school to stay home.
So Gracie called last night.
Gracie: How are you Grandma Terry?
Me: (croaking) I'm fine.
Grace: You sound sick. I think you need some egg drop soup!

TGIF

So nice to talk to brother Frank last night.

This was a tough week and EVERYONE was glad it was over. I felt so bad for my crew that I brought in donuts this morning. We needed a sugar rush.

The Weston Irish Fest is this weekend. More great Irish music. I'm hoping we make it there! There's nothing like a little jigging to make you happy!

Mike was hoping to finish picking corn today. The girls came up last Sunday and we made a trip to the farm, but no grandpa. :( The city girls got to see how corn and soybeans grow. They especially liked taking the soybean pod apart and finding the little white beans inside.

Grace is six!

I left the corn shuckin' before Mike performed so that I could get to Grace's birthday party at a ceramics shop in Leavenworth. She was the "princess" of the party.

Caroline's in back with the green headband.

Mushie loves frosting!

Back at the house, Gracie gets a big gift!

The girls are growing up!

Check out these three little cuties.

Madeline, 3 1/2 months

Maureen, 2 1/2

Caroline, 5, with new bike...

Grace's Sleepover

Grace called last week and suggested a sleepover in Atchison. I picked her up and on Sunday we went to the farm to feed the cows. These are shots of her and her pictures of us!
We found a caterpillar and she was thrilled. "We're celebrating caterpillars at school!!" she squealed, so we found a container for the caterpillar and the plant he was on.

At the cow pen, Grace gets the gate...

Grandpa unloads the buckets of feed...

EWWW!! It stinks!!

Back at home, Grace becomes the photographer...