a great man

Saturday night my Grandpa left this world to join loved ones that had gone before, including his wife that died 15 years ago.  I was lucky enough to have a chance to visit him in the hospital and say goodbye.  Even though he was in a coma, I knew he heard my final "good bye Grandpa, see you in Heaven". How comforting those words are to me.  I WILL get to see my Grandpa again, and we can talk about all the things I've been wanting to with him.

My grandpa was a great man.  My memory is awful, which I hate, but there are a few things that I hope I never forget.  He was incredibly smart.  He loved planes and would take us to the air shows at Hill AFB as often as he could. He was kind. I don't really recall a time where I heard him raise his voice. I looked forward to the hugs he would give, and the tender kiss on the cheek.  That's a lot for our family :).  I remember fun summers spent on the trampoline, playing in the creek, and having family BBQs. He loved his family, and I still feel that today.  One of the saddest memories I have is shortly after my grandma died I watched Little Women with him.  I still don't know why I picked that movie.  When Beth died my Grandpa started crying, and I sat there in silence. I didn't know what to do, but I wish know I would have held his hand and given him a hug. Let him know that I loved him.

Later in life my Grandpa suffered from Alzheimer, and his personality would change.  But he was still a family man.  The last picture I have of him is on Grayson's blessing day.  He made the trek up to my house and I've never forgotten.

I decided that my goal for next year is to be more like my grandpa - spend more time with the ones that I love for that is what matters most.  Love you Grandpa!

can't get any cuter

Thanks to my wonderful friend Katie, we have these beautiful pictures of Lily at six months.  Now she's almost seven months, and can't help wonder where time has gone.  I miss my little baby, but I am enjoying this age immensely. Lily seems to finally be getting over her constant congestion, and has even slept through the night (mostly) twice this week.  Life wouldn't be the same without her in our family!

 

I'm lucky

because I have these four.  Some days are long and bedtime can't come soon enough, but I really love my kids and husband.  Glad I have them forever!

Santa

Abigail was begging to go see Santa last week, but when she saw him on Saturday she didn't want anything to do with him!  Until he gave her a candy cane, and then she gave him a hug.  Grayson didn't want to be by him, but Lily was fine.  Lily is always happy :)

And here are a few pictures of Lily before we left. Lily is finally sleeping and breathing better at night!  We put her on her tummy and she'll stay asleep for longer. Now if we could just convince Grayson and Abigail that they don't need to wake up at 5:30 and think it's time for cereal ...

girls and tights

Abigail LOVES tights.  She asks to wear them every day, and when they are dirty she puts them in the washer so they get cleaned right away.  Sunday we had both the girls in tights and she was so excited.  She kept saying "tights like Lily", and would point out all the colors.  I LOVE having girls!!

 

Abigail thought Grayson needed a hairband, he didn't think so

Grayson was moving too fast, but you can kind of tell they are both holding a blanket and sucking thumbs :)

Thanksgiving

We had to learn this Thanksgiving that not everything goes the way you want it to.  Tuesday and Wednesday (or Monday, I can't remember) Lily threw up quite a bit.  Or spit up.  Either way it was a lot.  Both mornings I would go in and it was soaked in her hair, and all over the bed. Once it went all over me :(

 Then Wednesday morning Grayson woke up with a super goopy pink eye.  Uh oh.  He was in okay spirits, luckily, but pink eye is really contagious so we knew we were "doomed".

I took Grayson to the Doctor and got some antibiotic.  Shortly after Lily got pink eye.  Hers was bad enough it sealed her eye closed during the night.  And it swelled up a bit. Really, the kids were in pretty good spirits for not being in the best of health.  The next day we stayed at home.  Joe got a small Turkey breast from Walmart, and we had our meal at home. It was delicious.  We tried playing Wii fit, and we gave Grayson a hair cut.  He looks so old now!!  Even though it may not have been the day we wanted, it still was a great day and I have so much to be thankful for!

life is crazy

What do my kids do when I'm trying to get dinner ready?  Find the perfect playing spot ...

This little girl is sitting up SO well.  She hardly ever falls over, and LOVES to play with whatever is in front of her.  We gotta make sure all the little toys are out of read :)

Mr. Potato Head's glasses are a coveted item around our house

 Rockin' Reindeer (none of the kids know what reindeer are, but they didn't care!)

I can now bathe three kids at once, although Lily is quick to get in and out.  The other kids enjoy sliding down the back and it gets a little chaotic ...