2nd Christmas - 2012

The stockings were hung...

Who wouldn't "Ho! Ho! Ho!" with that many stockings on their fireplace???

Not a lot of chatter on this one.  Just enjoy my beautiful family!

We started at Julie and Richard's house...

 Brynn

  Brynn & Chase

  Brynn practicing "the pose"

  Brynn - Diva practice!

Chase

 Chase has Brynn's cup.  Do you think he knows??

Oh! He knows!

Kate (usually preceded by "dear, sweet...")

More Kate

Kate & Brynn

 More Kate & Brynn

Richard and Chase

Richard, Chase..... and who's that?  Richard's doll? Chase's doll? 
Looks like an American Girl doll.  Must be Kate's

From Julie and Richard's to Amy and Greg's...

We weren't so lucky with pictures at Greg and Amy's.  The kids are biggier and off doing their own "thing".  BUT... we did catch Gregory with his new bass...

  Gregory, our rock star

On to Crystal and Scott's house to see if Santa came and... he did!!

Bryce showing us what Santa brought

Bryce

More Bryce

And yet more Bryce  (who can get enough of Bryce???)

Let's not forget Mason, the youngest of our family - with Dad, Scott

What more is there to say?  I am blessed beyond words!

Merry Christmas... again! 

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you,
unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Matthew 18:1-3

Happy Birthday, Michael!

  The BIG.... ....

Words of "wisdom" on turning 60...


We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves.
- May Lamberton Becker

You are the oldest you have ever been, but you are the youngest you will ever be again.
- Unknown

Michael and Kate taken a few years ago

Old hippies don't die - they just get better guitars!

Happy Birthday, Michael!

(and many more)

Happy Birthday, Dad!

My father is 89 today.   He was born in 1923 which makes him about 6 in the picture above (I'm a math whiz).

He bowls, golfs and works part-time - and takes NO medication.  I wish I could do half the things he does!  He's pretty amazing!

 This one is Brynn and Dad at Richard's 40th birthday

Scott, Dad, and Richard - same day

I hope your day is everything you'd wish it to be.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy Saturday, Alex!

Today is Alex's 12th birthday!!!

Since Amy has been so sick (but recuperating nicely), Alex's family birthday celebration is going to be postponed for a week or two until Amy is ready to party.  :-)

SO!  I decided to seize the opportunity to have a special day with Alex and whoever he chose to include.  We decided last night that we'd go to Buffalo Wild Wings today for lunch. Our first thought was to take only Alex.. for HIS day... HIS birthday.

But, if you know Alex, you know that his generous spirit would not be able to pull off that whole "it's all about me" thing.   It's simply not his nature.  Alex knows that life is much better when shared.

This morning Alex texted me to ask if it would be okay if he brought his brothers.  Well... heck... I planned on that from the beginning, so.. sure!

Richard added a bonus surprise by meeting us for lunch and to celebrate Alex.  

We laughed about Gregory and Alex ordering wings that were almost too hot to eat.  We laughed while Gregory wiped the perspiration from his forehead and Alex wiped the tears from his eyes.  We laughed while Carnel, the Captain of our area,  danced and sang to Alex and reminded us to always be funky and fresh (like we're not already????)  We laughed while our server, Ezell whispered behind a menu about serving the cake we brought - as if Alex had no idea what we were talking about.

We laughed.... and we celebrated Alex.

Happy birthday, dear Alex.  Happy birthday to you!

Welcome to your 13th year!

Happy Birthday, Bryce!

He's 7!
He's 7!
He's 7 years old today!

Every time we  celebrate another birthday I wonder where the time has gone.  This one is no exception. 

I remember when Bryce was born.  I remember the day when Bryce was a little more than a year old when Scott called and asked... "Why didn't you tell me I would love him so much!!!!"

Who could ever explain to their child the love that they'll feel when their child is a year old?

And who could wish more for their grandson on his birthday than the kind of love that Bryce experiences from his mom and dad.

Happy Birthday,  Bryce!

Welcome to your 8th year!

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Matthew is 8 today!   EIGHT YEARS OLD!

And when you talk to him you think you're talking to a semi-adult.  His vocabulary is far beyond his eight years!

Greg and Amy had a great party (and I forgot my camera)... and Matthew had a happy happy birthday!

Happy birthday, Matthew!!!!

School Milestones

Today is the first day of school here in Delaware and it's a big year for the school-age kids in our family:

• Gregory (14) started High School today
• Alex (11) started Junior High
• Matthew (8 this week) is having his first day in school without Alex in the same school
• Bryce started First Grade today
• Kate started Kindergarten

A new year for Brynn.  (How could she possibly get any cuter???)

The babies, Chase and Mason have lost their big brother/sisters to a new school year.

Where does the time go??   (A recurring question with me)

Miss Kate

 Mr. Bryce

And then there were 8

Several years ago, my kids got together and  bought me this bracelet.  At the time it had 5 discs on it for my 5 grandchildren.  Since then, the family has grown and so has my bracelet.  I now have 8 discs with the names of my 8 grandchildren on them.  The kids say the are done (!) but we've heard that before.  We'll see!  :-)

The names on my bracelet are as follows (with their ages as of today):

Gregory - 14 years old
Alex - 11 years old
Matthew - 7 years old
Bryce - 6 years old
Kate - 5 years old
Brynn - 2 years old
Chase - 5 months old
Mason -6 weeks old

This bracelet is absolutely one of the best presents I've ever gotten in my life. What in incredibly thoughtful gift!  I rarely leave the house without it.

And what makes it even better (if that's possible) - it reminds me of my grandmother (my mother's mother).  Gram had a silver grandmother's bracelet, too - with the names of her grandchildren on discs - very much like mine (but not quite as fancy). 

Gram used to move her hands back and forth (with her palms facing forward and her fingers pointed up) and shake her bracelet when she talked - like she enjoyed the sound of tinkling charms.  There are days that I wish I could shake my bracelet and channel some of her kindness and grace. 

ANYWAY... my thanks again to my kids (which includes daughters-in-law, of course) for this gift of love that I carry with me daily.

Happy birthday, Gregory

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Gregory!

Happy birthday to you!

14 years old! Amazing!

I was on my way home from a book store in Pennsylvania when Greg called me to tell me that Gregory had just been born.  I was sooooo excited and Greg was beyond happy!  My first grandchild!   

I went straight to the hospital to see the new family (and did I mention how beautiful Amy looked) and to hold Gregory.   What an incredibly happy day!

And now it's 14 years later and that sweet, sweet baby has turned into an incredible young man - kind, smart, talented.  I'm so very proud of who he is becoming.  

Happy birthday, Gregory!   Keep on doing what you're doing.  It's definitely working!!!!

Happy birthday, Greg!

 

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Greg!

Happy birthday to you!

So!  Greg is still "thirty-something" today!  (Enough said about that!)

Greg has always been our family "connector" - the one who checks up on each of us and who doesn't let any of us go very long without a call.

Greg has a heart for his family - a special connection with his nieces and nephews - and a love for all of us.


Happy birthday, Greg!

Happy birthday, Brynn!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Brynn!

Happy birthday to you!

 
The world is a brighter place since Brynn's entered it.  She shines... and her incredible face tells the whole story!  It's not possible for me to look at Brynn and not smile.

Happy birthday, Brynn!

Take me out to the ball game

It's baseball season and Alex and Matthew are finishing their season.

Greg sent me this video of Matthew's hit the other night.  It's a little grainy, but well.. Matthew is #10 - the guy at bat.  (Makes, sense, eh?)

Nice hit, Matthew!!

And as for Alex?

This came from Greg's Facebook page:

First game of the play offs, Alex's team won 9-5 and he got the game ball for 3 RBI's and scoring 2 runs!! He gets to sleep inside tonight!

 Get 'em, Alex!                                        

Happy Birthday, Mason!

Mason was born today - and he is beautiful!

Mason Xavier

9 lbs. 2 oz.

21.5 inches

Mom, Dad, Bryce and Mason are all doing fine.

When I got to the hospital, Bryce was holding Mason.  I asked him what he thought about the new baby and he looked at me and said with enthusiasm (Bryce does everything with enthusiasm), "I LOVE him"!

What a beautiful family!

God is good!

Everything has a price

The "guys" went to a Phillies game (Richard, Greg, Scott and Bryce) which is fun enough but it gets better!

Bryce had a loose tooth (SO loose) but didn't want anyone to pull it.  Greg has the oldest kids and therefore the most experience pulling teeth and he tried HARD to convince Bryce, but Bryce held fast to his tooth!

Well... apparently dad, Scott went to the concession stand and Greg went to work on Bryce, employing his most persuasive arguments.  The argument that finally worked was...  $5.00!

Bryce said "okay" and by the time that Scott got back from the concession stand, Bryce's tooth was history.  It was such an event that they decided to film a reinactment... which follows.

And then more money yet from the Tooth Fairy?  I think Bryce has this all figured out!!!!   

Good job, Uncle Greg!

T-Ball Rocks!

Bryce is playing T-Ball this year - his first year of baseball and he is doing SO well!  (no surprise)

I couldn't see Home plate from where I was located so I missed little things like Bryce hitting the ball and Bryce crossing Home plate.  I know!  I know!  You'll  just have to use your imagination!

ANYWAY... Bryce hit the ball and here he is on first base.

... and here he is on second base (with the coach behind him)

 

...leaving second and on his way to third - Go, Bryce, Go!

  

...heading for home!

Taking a minute after the game to pose for a picture for Grammie!

Surprisingly, the score was tied... 30-30 (ten kids on each team - 3 innings)

Bronze Radio Return with Greg, Gregory and Alex

For Christmas, I gave Gregory and Alex (and Greg) a night at World Cafe Live to see Bronze Radio Return with Michael and me.  (One of our favorite bands!)

 They agreed graciously and they were sold on the idea of a concert, but I'm not so sure they were sold on the band or the small venue.

We got there in time for soundcheck...

...and dinner (notice the look of excitement on everyone's face.  I think this is called "humor the old girl")

Alex and Greg

Gregory and Alex

But when the band started to play, it was a whole different story...

This band rocks!

(By the way... you can find Bronze Radio Return on Pandora Radio)

It didn't take long for Greg and Alex to move to an adjacent table at the edge of the stage, right in front of the drummer (Alex is taking drum lessons and is doing GREAT)

Within 10 minutes, Gregory screamed at me across the table (Did I mention that this band is LOUD?)...
"They're awesome!!!!!!"

According to Gregory's Facebook page, this was absolutely the best concert he had ever been to!

If there were 50 people there, I would be surprised.  Wilmington is just not "with it" yet - as far as Bronze Radio Return. Next time will be a different story!

On Friday, they are at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia and the concert is totally sold out!  Michael and I are able to go, but it was too late to get tickets for Gregory and Alex and Greg.  We'll be ready next time!

It was a great evening!  SO much fun to share something that I love so much with my family.  And to have them love it?  A bonus!

Standing outside after the concert, waiting for Michael to bring the car, Gregory laughed and said to me, "This is something I never thought I'd do - go to a rock concert with my Grammie!"

Live and learn, kiddo! 

Life IS good!!