January's Family Celebration

This month's birthday celebrants are Jared, Annie and me. Jared couldn't make our celebration, so I asked Stacia to make a cake sure to thrill Annie. She didn't disappoint. 

Some voiced surprise that I'm turning 59 this week. I told them I understand, but I am married to a 62 yo man so I must have aged a bit along the way too. 

Carrie, Izaak, Jamin, Nolan, Luke and Krista (and kids), and Jared and Larissa were all unable to attend this month. We still required 3 tables to set the 19 of us. 

Aunt Stacia got to hold Trudy for the first time today. 

Little Buddy began to visit our place in late June/July. He joined CoRielle's family in August and attended his first family celebration. He's always been a doll. That first family dinner he kept his hands over his ears much of the night. It was fun tonight to note the hands only went over the ears when we began to sing...and he danced around while he covered his ears. "I'm not sure what's up with these people but they seem to like to sing to the food." 

Uncle Josiah with armfulls of 2 yo

Crazy people - sweet smile on this face

We've all had a blast getting to interact and know Josiah (Jojo) in the past few months. He's a cuddle bug.  While the other kids run from GG, he ran and jumped up into GG's lap. 

Yes, there could be a tad bit of rivalry between Little Buddy and Danny, but there is also a whole lot of playing and working together as well. Here they have cooperated together to steal GG's walker. 

Cy and Liv brought a meat and cheese tray....Danny perfected his skills and nonchalantly snatched food at will. Maybe he's observed GG's technique at buffets.  

Little Buddy was fascinated with the gingerbread houses the kids made on NYE. 

Papa and Little Buddy are building a fun relationship. Here Papa is teaching him to smell with his nose and not his hands. LOL 

It was a surprise to find Little Buddy leading the living room race! 

During a lull in the racing, I suggested Twister. We have gone through several Twister sets in our family life. Krista finally made us this cloth set. We had a spinner but couldn't find it today. That left the kids at the mercy of Aunt Arielle. 

Hello Trudy! 2 months old now

Aunt Allie wrapped Liv into a burrito, while Aunt Stacia corralled the rest at the table with playdough. 

Quite a group

Danny had to taste the playdough. 

"I made a bomb!"

We ended the night with a rousing game of Hungry, Hungry Dinos...

Jamin missed the evening to attend a Keller Williams Dinner.  At the dinner he was honored as one of their Top Producers for the year! His sales went up against whole groups of realtors! We're pretty proud of him. He sold just over 13 million this year. A side note - yes commission is at about 3% of sales, but out of that comes all business expenses, brokerage fees, paying his employees etc. It was not his take home pay. LOL  Way to go, Jamin! 

That's our boy! 

TGIF

 Stacia and I went out for our breakfast study. Like Allie, Stacia found a couple of new stories in this week's readings...the Hebrew midwives and Lois and Eunice. I guess those were just skipped over in her Sunday school classes. LOL 

The day was full of school for Stacia and Allie. Stacia took her first college test today. She wasn't overly impressed. It was a pretest to document how little you know from the course work of your declared major. 

Stacia finished a cake for Annie and me. 

Ballet slippers

I created a spreadsheet to track all the info I may need for the IRS for this egg thing of mine. 

Nolan is working. Alex is playing video games. Allie and Stacia both have events and have driven themselves. It's a quiet night for GG, Michael and me. We're watching Monsters Vs. Aliens. 

To Market, To Market

The girls and I haven't been meeting for Breakfast study since before Christmas. This morning Allie and I went out and finished our Beautifully Surrendered study. We covered a one or two stories she'd not heard before - always fun. I read in the car while Allie went for a haircut.

I sold eggs to all who had asked for them this week (5 1/2 dozen). I had 6 dozen counter eggs from the past 4 days. It was time to put them in the fridge or call a local market I had talked with previously. They needed the eggs and were happy to buy all 6 dozen from me. They pay me $5 a dz (which is the same I ask from my personal customers) and mark them up $3 a dz. As we finished the paperwork a gal came in and bought 4 of the 6 dozen. The manager/owner asked if they could call me when they need eggs. I told her I ALWAYS have at least 1 or 2 dz I can part with, and I am only 4 minutes away.... I'm now researching the point where the IRS is going to want records. I've been doing the math and it appears to me that our chickens are more than paying for themselves. They keep us in eggs, and I sell extra eggs to pay for their upkeep. 

Transferred them to plain cartons

ACK - it's Thursday. We're having our January Family Dinner Celebration this Saturday. Stacia started making a birthday cake. Our birthdays this month are Jared, Annie and Me. We're excusing Jared this month, but Annie and I will celebrate. Stacia is making a cute ballet slipper cake which we hope Annie will love.  I am trying to come up with an EASY, no-fuss, menu. 

I took care of a few admin tasks for women's ministry and resisted taking a nap. LOL  Michael had a medical appointment. 

My Yays

We play the boo yay game....we share two yays for every boo...I'm not sharing my boo - but here are a few yays! LOL 

Today I played with these darling kiddos! We also had an impromptu tea party while Bre was at the dentist. 

I got home and discovered Stacia digging out her car. She is ready to get the winter tires put on so she can learn to drive the Vibe.  I think I got the better end of this deal. 

In a past life, we had homemade pizza every Friday night.  We moved to having Papa Murphy's most Fridays. Our schedule has been so wild the family has given me grace to get pizza on Wednesday for the nights where I simply can't pull a dinner together in time to make it to church.  Tonight, was one of those nights. LOL We'll do something else on Friday. 

A Fun Day to be Bachan

 This was a BIG Tuesday. I'd not been able to play with the boys for a few weeks due to the flu/crud which floated through their home. I don't believe I've watched the boys since Christmas.  They were excited to show me all the new things. I was excited to surprise them with LIVIE! More fun cousin time.  It was ironic to me that Danny's big thrill was a piece of paper and a pen.

This little trampoline may be genius for winter. I'm reserving judgement, but it sure was a lot of fun. 

Benny was excited to show Liv and I some new chase Youtubes. Liv was surprised you can get Youtube KIDS on the TELEVISION. Watch out CyRi. We liked the snowball fight with Grinch, the pirates chase and a Ninja one by Miss Linky. These were so fun Danny and Little Buddy joined us. 

THIS is the moment I heard Little Buddy begin to belly laugh. I hadn't heard him laugh like this before and it was contagious. I can't wait until I can share more of his sweet little face. 

Josiah and Carrie got back from Hawaii early this morning. It would be closer for them to pick up Olivia in town. We brought all her stuff with us. Arielle came home before they arrived, so Liv and I set out to complete some errands. 

We picked up a package at the post office. 

We picked up GG's meds at the pharmacy. 

We dropped off books at the library. 

We stopped at Dairy Queen for lunch. She was enjoying the play area and they texted they were on their way out so we waited. 

Olivia was so excited to see her Mom and Dad. She told me this is the longest she's been away in YEARS. We LOVED having Liv for an extended visit. We know how happy she is to be home with Mom and Dad. 

It was a fun day to be Bachan! 

A Monday with Olivia

 Allie began her second semester of college today. It's back to the grind. Stacia began her first college course today. Liv got a day ahead in school because her parents come home tomorrow, and she doesn't want to have to do school!! Her teacher was wonderful and sent daily work for her to do while she was at our home. 

I delivered 4 dz eggs to a customer and had a massage today. Thank you, Michael. 

Michael had an appointment today about future ministry he is pursuing. 

I grabbed Liv when I got home, and we went out for our Baachan Christmas date. Yeah - it's been a SEAAAASON! We found some fun welcome home gifts for her parents and she and I stopped for drinks and a treat for her at a local cafe.  Livie had some rather deep thoughts on her mind to discuss and it was an honor to be the one she decided to chat with this Monday. 

Look what we saw when we drove into our driveway! Moose 1 and Moose 2. 

Well, hello there! 

Allie had to work. Dinner, games and chats from Hawaii rounded out our evening. 

Annie is FOUR!

 It's seems like YESTERDAY  2-year-old Annie was INSISTING she was "almost 3."  Today, she turns FOUR!  Those who could make it met at BreZaak's to celebrate her special day. Annie wanted all things Ballerina and Princess. 

📸via BreAnne

Bre had put out kisses with ballerinas on the bottom, a cookie cake, and cupcakes! The temptation was almost more than Little Buddy could handle! 

Bre thinks of everything and had a table with crafts and little tattoos ready for the kids to enjoy. 

"Happy Birthday to you!"🎶

Bella, Benny, Annie, Josiah, Danny

Annie had lots of help opening gifts. 

Our dynamic two-year-olds! 

Josiah (BreZaak's) Danny & Little Buddy (CoRielle's)

All the cousins - Annie is in the back by Danny

Benny was darling when he came in. He ran to Annie and said, "Annie, I was four. I'm five now, but first I was four."

Benny, Bella and Annie 📸via BreAnne

📸via BreAnne

Cuddle time with Trudy 📸via BreAnne

📸via BreAnne

All the Aunties at the party📸via BreAnne

Liv, Bella, Annie - the girls minus Trudy 📸via BreAnne

It was a fun party for a sweet girl!