Christmas 2011

It's been a crazy few months and I am just now taking time to post all my Christmas photos. We had a lot of family functions so this post is going to be just a hodge podge of all my photos from the holidays.

My Niece Leah. This was Christmas at my Dads

Jake opening gifts at my Dads

Leah climbing on the gifts

Cheese 

My Nephew Tony and Niece Leah

Jake being silly

Christmas Eve at my Mom's. Jake playing the drums with Uncle John.

Our Tree

Jake opening gifts on Christmas morning

He loved the bows

Not another photo MOM

Race Track from Grandpa Ken and Grandma Marcia

Leah on Christmas Day laying on her new blanket

Cousin Courtney showing Jake how to play the piano

Cousin photo on Christmas Day

Cousin Courtney and Jake

We had a nice Holiday season even though Brent spent most of it in the hospital. We are looking forward to a happy and healthy New Year.

24 Question Christmas Survey

20 Question Christmas Survey

 
I saw this survey on couple different blogs and thought it would be fun to do. I need all the help I can get to get out of my blog funk that I've been in for a few months.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? For the kids I like to use wrapping paper because it's more fun. For the adults they usually get gift bags.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I'm very particular about my tree so I use an artificial tree. When Jake gets older we will probably get a real tree for the experience of cutting down or own tree.



3. When do you put up the tree? I put my tree up the day after Thanksgiving.



4. When do you take the tree down? I take my tree down the week of the New Year.


5. Do you like eggnog? I'm not sure.



6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably my cabbage patch kid



7. Do you have a nativity scene? No I do not but I would like one. I do have a Christmas village.





8. Hardest person to buy for? This year my family decided to only buy for the kids but in years past my Mom was the hardest.



9. Easiest person to buy for? My Niece Jessica



10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I don't send out Christmas cards. I should and I want to but I never have enough time.



11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't think of anything. Any gift to me is great.





12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf



13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?  I still haven't started but all I have to buy for is Jake and my Nieces and Nephew so I'm not too worried about it.



14. Ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope.



15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies cookies cookies



16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? White lights.



17. Favorite Christmas song? I don't have a favorite


18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?We are heading to my Aunts house in Becker. 



19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? No



20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I have a bow on the top




21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?Christmas morning




22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Nothing I love everything about the holiday season.



23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? I stick to a theme. Last year my tree was silver, baby blue and blue. This year it's red, lime green and white.


24. What do you want for Christmas this year? I just want Jake to have a great Christmas. 

Cookies With Santa

Every year NAPVI  (National Association for the parents of visually impaired children) hosts an event called Cookies with Santa. This is their 3rd annual event and our 3rd time. This is a great place for Jake to get to be with kids just like him and for us to talk with other parents. Jake also gets a chance to meet Santa without the long lines. They had Santa, reindeer rides, crafts, food and gifts for the kids. Jake was a little wild because he didn't get much sleep the night before. All he really wanted to do was run around and explore which is just fine. We had a hard time getting him to want to sit on Santa's lap but we did get a good family photo. It was a really nice time and great to see all the parents and kids. Here are a few pictures from the day. I didn't get many because I was busy running around after Jake. Check out his first Cookies with Santa here.

Family Photo

Jake and Santa

Jake reading his book he got from Santa

Jake's friend Emily. She is such an amazing little girl. She always makes us laugh. 

Jake loved listening to the kids sing.

Family Dinner

Since we don't always get to spend Thanksgiving together ever year my family and I always get together the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year my Step Mom Martha planned make your own quesadilla's. We had a nice time chatting, playing games and taking our yearly family pictures. Here are some pictures from the evening.

The boys are finally to the age where they love playing together

They are so fun to watch

Grandpa giving leah ice cream

Yummy! Thank you Grandpa!

Tony tickling Jake

My Sister Tracy and the kids

Wrestling 

Grammy and Grandpa with the grand kids. 

I can't believe how fast they are all growing up. 

Family picture. Take 100

Take 101

I'm blessed to have such a wonderful family. Hopefully someday we can add another little one to our group. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful day. I don't know about you all but I am STUFFED!! B, Jake and I went over to my Grandma and Grandpa's today for an early Thanksgiving dinner. My Grandma out did herself and cooked an amazing meal. I haven't eaten like that in so long I could barely move. Jake was such a good boy today and B actually felt pretty good. Although this past year has been very hard for my family and me I have a lot to be thankful for. Here is a list of what I am thankful for.

1. My Family. I was blessed with the most amazing family. I'm lucky to have an amazing partner that puts up with my crazy ass and a son that I would die for. They make my life worth living. I am also very thankful for the rest of my family. They have been 100% supportive with everything that I have done in my life. Without them I would be lost. 
2. My Friends. I have a lot of wonderful friends and I thank God every day to have them.
3. My Job. I've talked about how much I love my job before but I don't think you understand how much of a blessing it was that I found it when I wasn't even really looking. With B being out on disability I don't know how we would survive if I didn't have my job. I also love working for a company that makes me feel like they really care about me. 
4. Words with Friends. I know this is silly but I love this game and it's fun. So there. 
5. Metro Therapy. My son has been attending Metro Therapy since he was 6 months old. He has sensory therapy there and speech therapy. I feel that they are partly the reason why Jake is doing so well. They were there for me when I was a lost parent to a 6 month old visually impaired child. Since he started speech he's gone from basically NO words to almost talking in sentences. 
6. My health. After watching B struggle for so long with his health I have to take time to thank God for making me healthy so that I can take care of my family. 
7. TV. Enough said
8. God. I am thankful for his guidance and strength through all our difficult times. 

I want to say that I am also thankful for all my blogger friends that I have met over the years. I enjoy reading all your blogs and hope that you enjoy reading mine. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

Happy Birthday Leah Jo!!

I few weeks ago my Niece Leah celebrated her 1st Birthday. My Brother and Sister in law put together a nice little get together. Here are some pictures from Leah's big day. I forgot my camera so I took all these with my camera phone. Some are a little blurry.

Leah with her B-day cake

Great Grandma Joan and Leah

Leah's cake

Eating her B-day dinner

Opening Presents

Jake stepped in front of the camera and said CHEESE

Leah opening her gifts

How cute is this hat???