Christmas

The couple of days around Christmas were very eventful. We had Harry's bedroom left to paint, Grandmother came for a visit and we had our Christmas with the kids.  It was quite fun.

Ellaree was in charge of the camera.  She took LOTS of pictures.

This time around Daddy got in on the fun of painting.  There was some grumbling going on but we got it done. And it looks great.

The kids were thrilled to see Grandmother and I made them all take a picture together before any gifts could be opened.  They obliged very quickly.

Grandmother gave the kids each a Gingerbread activity to create.  Grandmother & Lorelai created the tree.

Ellaree & Harry created the house....and the gingerbread girls & boys got eaten!

We attended Christmas Eve Service.  Since we were all dressed up I decided that we should have a picture in front of our tree. 

Santa was sneaky this year.  He shopped at Daddy's work and got all the kids matching stocking hats from his work.  They loved them!

Kids eating their Elf Size breakfast after opening their gifts from Santa.  After eating some breakfast then we went back and had our Christmas with gifts from Mom & Dad.  As I have mentioned before we bought things to decorate their rooms. 

Ellaree got an American Girl Create a Bulletin board for her room. She had that done and put up within no time at all.

Lorelai got some purple canvas totes for her room to store things in.  Ellaree has pink ones.  The girls decided to have one of each color in their rooms.  Whatever makes them happy!

All the kids got new curtains.  Harry got John Deere ones.  He pointed out the combines right away.

And when all the gifts were done Harry put his head down and pouted for more gifts!This kid is too much some days.

 

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and will post pictures of the kids rooms soon.

Harry's 2 year Pictures

I was able to do it again.  It took a little bit as I was not sure what I really wanted for his pictures.  But it all came together.  For me, I just need one good picture that I can send to all my family & friends and put on my wall.  I mean it will be there for a whole year so it needs to be a great smile.  I like head shots as then it we see his expression very well along with his personality.  So after getting his room ready with taking his train set down off his table so I could use it, I got the lights set up and then I got him dressed.  We were off to the races.  I tried a couple of things but in the end we got the right one!

Love this one but the shadow in the background annoys me.

Had some silly ones as well

Again cute but that shadow in the background is in the way

Here is my handsome boy!  Wow can we say "I am 2 and looking for mischief"!!!!!!!

Man do I love this little guy!  Doesn't get any better then this when you can get a great picture for free!

 

Happy 2nd Birthday Harry Gene Major Young!

Bella Elf ~ Week 3

I tell ya, I am ready for Bella to go back to the North Pole.  With her mischievousness I am exhausted.  I am ready for a much needed rest from her antics.  But all in all she was been a wonderful addition to our family this month.  Every morning Lil Harry is very quick to spot where Bella is sitting.  He is a smart cookie!  I love how he laughs, comes and grabs my finger and says "come here", takes me to Bella & says "Look". He is so excited.  Throughout the day he goes over to her and just starts laughing.  I love it.

Day 15

Bella wrote a cute little note in the sugar!  She must really like our crazy busy household.

 Day 16

Salute to the flag...surprisingly it didn't take the kids long to find her hanging up there on the flag from Uncle Jerod.

Day 17

We got these beautiful book shelves given to us just this week.  As you can imagine the kids wanted to touch right away.  Therefore the kids couldn't believe that Bella would jump right at sitting on them.  They explained to her she needed to be careful with Mommy's breakables and that it was not ok to sit on the shelves.

Day 18

Ellaree had her teeth cleaned.  The first time going in to see a new dentist she threw a fit and would not let him look at her teeth. We had a lengthy discussion this time around and she did great.  That night Bella must have thought it was neat as she convinced Ellaree's Build A Bear Rapunzel to sit still while she cleaned her teeth. 

The next morning Ellaree was not impressed.  Up to this point she has not cared very much but this particular morning we had tears.  I explained that she needed to show love and grace to Bella.  Her response was "I don't think I have any love and grace".  I explained that was not very nice and she needed to apologize.  She did but later that afternoon I heard her explaining to Bella that it was not very nice what she did. 

Day 19

We found Bella hanging out under the tree.  It looks to me like maybe there was some drag racing going on in my living room while we were sleeping.  If you can tell Bella's car is just a smidge ahead of Ariel's jeep.  The kids sure thought this was funny.

Day 20

Bella and Elmo were sitting on the piano nice and minding their own business when Lorelai came in and found them.  She was not one bit happy that Bella had her Elmo. Therefore she snatched Elmo and went running.  I had to talk and she eventually put Elmo back.  Bella better watch whose toys she take for now on.

Day 21

We found Bella eating a plate full of cookies this morning.  I found Harry later in the morning trying to take the cookies.  Hehe He must have thought he could have some too....that boy lately has been telling me he is hungry 24/7.

Day 22

Bella ended up on the new book shelves again but this time it seemed like she was just trying to peak over the edge to watch the kids.  Oh she is so sneaky.

Day 23

On Day 23 Grandmother was up to visit overnight.  Bella was over the window in the living room where Grandmother was sleeping.  Obviously Bella thought that someone had to keep an eye on Grandmother.

 

 Day 24

When we woke up Bella was sitting on our dining room in between our Gingerbread House & tree that Grandmother helped us make with a letter.  It was to be her last day with us as she was to return to the North Pole with Santa that night.  Her letter said this....

 

Dear Ellaree, Lorelai & Harry,

I have had so much fun being a part of your family for the last month. You guys sure have a lot of fun around here. Sorry for any messes I made along the way. Guess I got caught up in the fun too! Thank you for always giving me LOVE & GRACE.

Tonight when you go to sleep a little Christmas magic is going to happen. I will fly back to the North Pole with Santa. When you wake up tomorrow morning I will be gone and presents will have arrived. I passed on all of your messages to Santa and he has something special for each one of you.  I also have watched you show me LOVE & GRACE this month.  Jesus’ love in your hearts is so amazing that I can’t wait to go back and show all the other elves just how much you have shown me. 

Remember to keep working on listening to mommy & daddy.  I know it is hard sometimes but you will get it.  It is what Jesus would want us to do is to listen and obey our parents.

I have a couple of surprises left for you.  The first one is that when you are done reading this letter, you are able to say goodbye to me.  For just a few minutes it will be okay to touch me, hug me and kiss me goodbye. When you are finished with your goodbyes just put me back where you found me. Santa will find me tonight and take me with him.  The second one you have to wait until tomorrow to see. 

Can’t wait to see you next Christmas season and learn lots of wonderful new things from your family about Jesus.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,

Bella

We waited until we were ready to head to Christmas Eve Service before we said our goodbyes.  They were so sweet.  Harry gave a hug and kiss. 

Ellaree cried when we read the letter.  But she was pretty good about it during this time.

Lorelai can be so sweet (when she wants to)

 Day 25

Although Bella had went back to the North Pole she still left us with a wonderful Christmas Treat.  All this was ready for us when we woke up Christmas morning with one last letter from her. 

 

The three cakes in front each said "Happy" "Birthday" Jesus".  When I read them to the kids Ellaree started singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  We all chimed in and sang.  It was a great moment with mom crying it was that sweet. 

 

Bella's letter... 

A Little Something Special

For my three favorite kiddos

I baked all night while you were at Christmas Service

To give you the perfect start to a wonderful day.

With all the gifts under the tree

Don’t forget the real reason we celebrate.

Jesus’ birth is the real reason for the season.

Jesus was born on this very day so many years ago.

So many people, animals, and wise men came to see Jesus.

The three wise men brought Jesus three gifts.

My three gifts to you

Is love, happiness, and

an Elf Size Breakfast!

 Love you all and will see you next year.

Bella

We had a wonderful month with Bella.  I hope that through it all we all learned more about Jesus' love, forgiveness and the reason for the season.

Christmas Is In The Air

We have many things to be thankful for.  We have had Christmas with some family already and some on the horizon.  We also got to experience Ellaree's first concert at school which was so much fun to watch. 

We had Christmas with Papa Harry & Nonie before they ventured off to Arizona.  It was a fun night getting to hang out with them.

Wow look at how fast our family has grown.  It is wild to think but such an awesome blessing that we have each other, we live close to each other and for the most part we get along.  :) 

Uncle Nick couldn't wait until Harry's birthday to give him his train.  He loved it!

In the afternoon I made him a bed in his new sled from Grapa & Grama and he laid right down and went to sleep.

 

Ellaree was very much animated during her concert at school. As you can see she has positioned herself a little bit in front of the two boys.  We all thought she would be at the front of the stage by the end of the song. 

She has practiced these songs every night and she gave it her all.

 

One thing I didn't know was that during one of the song she would be playing the xylophone.  She did a great job and as you can see she was watching her teacher for her signals.  Band, chior & drama I believe are in her future.

 

Here is part of her singing.  The song that she really practiced and loves to sing she was down front & I couldn't see her well enough to video her.  It was really neat how her teacher, who I went to school with, brought Santa comes to town, The Grinch & Polar Express all together.

Bella Elf~Week 2

Oh my what a mischievous little Elf we have.  No different then our three little ones.  :)  They have really been having fun with her.  There is going to be some good times coming up these next couple of weeks.  I am so excited to see their little expressions and what they come up with to say. 

Day 7

We found Bella texting with Daddy's old phone the next morning right by the TV so that she could watch the kids at all times.  OOPS...Lorelai was not happy with Bella having her dad's phone and grabbed it right out of her hands.  Oh my goodness, good thing she only touched the phone and not Bella herself otherwise her magic would have been gone for getting back to the North Pole.  Yikers!  That was a close one.

 

Bella sent many text messages that day.  I don't think they all were to Santa either.  Probably to her friend Elfs.  So we explained to Bella about our texting plan and gave her some LOVE & GRACE.

 Day 8

We found Bella "Hanging around" on our chandelier in the dining room. This was a good view of the kids playing all day long. 

Day 9

In our house once the ornaments are hung there is no more touching the tree otherwise you get in lots of trouble.  You could break an ornament or hurt yourself or tip the tree over.  That Bella she got right up into the tree right by the Angel.  Oh boy there went Lorelai just telling her that was not right and how in trouble she was in.  Again explaining

LOVE & GRACE.

 Day 10

Bella was having some fun through the night.  We found her driving Lil Harry's big tractor.  It fit her just fine but Ellaree explained that she must have been driving it around the area rug as the road because she could see tracks. 

Day 11

Bella got sick on her way back from the North Pole.  Poor thing had kleenex all over the place along with the tylenol & ear thermometer.  Those are behind her so you can't see them that well.  The kids were quite concerned.  Lorelai on the other hand was not happy that Bella had her babies blanket to wrap up in.  I think she thought that Bella should have gotten her own.  :)

 Day 12

On the mantel separating our living room from our dining room is the letters S N O W.  Bella must have thought it would be fun to hang out on the letter S.  She looks like she is trying to make the letter S with her body as well.

 Day 13

Oh Man!  Bella was really pushing mommy's buttons on this one.  She is drinking coffee out of mommy's favorite Christmas coffee mug.  Ooo the kids were freaking out worried.  I have to say this is the biggest and the prettiest mug I have.  So needless to say they were concerned.  Good thing I had to sub that day and had to take the traveling mug instead.  I explained to them that I could share one day with Bella...I guess.

 Day 14

Ellaree has been hoping that Bella would be visiting her room soon.  I heard lots of playing in the night.  Ellaree explained it had to be Bella because she was too tired to be playing in the night.  Bella perched herself on Ellaree's dresser today.  She looks quite innocent sitting there.

 



Reading

Yesterday I subbed in the high school office (thanks Grama for watching the little ones).  Ellaree loves it when I am working at the school.  Anyway, after lunch time I get a phone call.  It is the first grade teacher.  She says "Ellaree, I mean JoEllen" which immediately puts my defenses up that something happened downstairs...recess, hallway, etc.  Ellaree loves Mrs. Cade, first grade teacher, as much as she loves Ms. Johnson, her Kindergarten teacher.  She goes on to explain that Ellaree was in her classroom reading.  Sigh of relief.  And here is the story I was told...

Mrs. Cade has the lower level reading group where the other first grade teacher has the advance group.  Mrs. Cade had Ellaree come in to do sight words with her group.  Ellaree only missed 5 out of 20! She was so pumped.  Mrs. Cade reminded me that she would be reassessed at the end of the first quarter.  She has been very impressed with Ellaree's reading.  Ellaree is the only Kindergartener to advance read with the first graders.  We are receiving books and extra homework to help her until she is reassessed.  Mrs. Cade told me "Good job Mom for helping her along", my only response was "we didn't really do anything extra or special","We just read to her and kept helping her sound them out". 

We are so very proud of her!

Sunday Fun

Sunday was filled with lots of fun. Daddy didn't work and we were snowed in. We got 5 inches of snow and most things were canceled. We took advantage of it with some family fun.

We have been contemplating for some time now whether or not to take our island out.  We liked it but didn't love it.  Therefore we took it out.  We are not sure at this point what we will do.  If we will replace it or just put something under my kitchen window that we can pull out when needed.  But for now we are living without it so that we can figure out what would be best.

 

Ellaree was suppose to have her 4H Christmas party but it go canceled.  Therefore we headed outside!

We are down one sled for the time being.  So we had to share.  Ellaree & Harry had lots fun.

Lorelai needed a turn with her Bubba

During nap time Ellaree helped me roll out the sugar cookie dough, cut and bake them.

Then the decorating came next

Look at that smile saying I am ready for action!

Lorelai took lots of time to get just the right amount of frosting on it.

In the evening we got a wonderful text message saying that our dear Mikaila got a gold medal at State in Gymnastics.  All I have to say is the 11 year old is one talented amazing girl that I have had the privilege to know her whole life.  She is very precious to me and will always be my "lil peanut".  AJ & Uncle Harry are so very proud of her accomplishments!