Christmas Eve at the Kimes

As tradition stands, we spent Christmas Eve at my mom and dad's home. When I was growing up, that was the night mom, dad, Nick and I got together with grandma and grandpa Kime, my aunt Mariellen and cousin Jon. Mariellen and Jon are living in Minnesota now (and there's a whole other story there!) and then grandma and grandpa started spending winters in Arizona. So grandma and grandpa Vincent started spending it with us. Now...12 years later, the Kime home held my mom and dad, me and my family, Nick and his family, G&G Vincent and...G&G Kime again!!!!! It was very nice to have them here this year. Their first Christmas with the great-grandkids. A bit overwhelming, I'm sure!!!! At least I was overwhelmed! ha! ha!

I tried and tried and tried (and tried some more!) to get a good picture of these kids. This was the best one I got. Aren't they all adorable?!?!

This was the MESS!

Grandma Barb and Grandpa Kim

Grandma Olive and Grandpa Ed

My mama

Grandpa Ed is a big Johnny Cash fan. Always has been. I remember when I was little, he would put Johnny Cash records on in the family room every Sunday afternoon and listen to them all day. Anyway, I found this cup that sings "Ring of Fire" when you push the button. He had to have it! The kids and I said so! Well, Elly just LOVED the cup! By Tuesday, she was singing "...down, down down and flames went higher...and it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire, ring of fire" She was so cute!

Noah got a Pogo stick from Grandma Pat and Grandpa Kenny
Uh-oh!

Hannah was pretty excited to see the Hairspray DVD and soundtrack!

Mom and dad got Elly the cutest Disney kitchen set with the table and chairs!

Okay. I have no decent pictures of my brother. He always makes these stupid faces! Here's two I have of he and Ashley. She's just gorgeous...then there's Nick!

Tyson was dancing!

Noah watching TV (supposed to be eating!) and Tyson slurping spaghetti!

"The Guys"

(dad, grandpa and grandpa)

Grandma Barb

Noah and Tyson were playing with Hot Wheels before dinner

Mom is gonna kill me when she sees this one!

She was tired from all the preparations!

Miss Elly with Miss Hannah!

Sunday at church and the Cutlers

Sunday after church we went to Mark and Linda's for lunch, since Joel was unable to spend the Christmas get-together with us Friday night. The kids had a blast, as you can see! :)

Hannah, Erin and Mason all dressed up

Erin got make-up and decided to try it on Hannah

Oooooh, pretty!

The kids at church. It was so cute! There were a ton of kids up there too!

Dry Pana on Sundays...

Went to the grocery store today to buy the items I need for Christmas dinners. I didn't want to be caught in the mess of the Christmas Eve rush! Anyway, I needed White Wine Vinegar for a salad I'm taking to Grandma Vincent's Tuesday. Get to the check out, the girl scans it and it rejects it, tells me I can't have it! It has alcohol in it and Pana is a dry town on Sunday--no alcohol sales anywhere!!! Oh! My! Gosh! I insisted I was using it to cook with, not to drink. I also insisted I was not coming back on Christmas Eve!!! The manager (thankfully) over-rode the machine and I got my White Wine Vinegar! Who on earth would drink that anyway!?!?!?

Just had to share my funny!

Christmas with the Cutlers

We had Christmas with the Cutlers last night. We had a great time! Here's Hannah and Noah with their cousins, Erin and Mason. Lyle's brother Joel was supposed to be off work and able to be with us, but at the last minute, ended up having to work. So Becky and the kids came up, then Joel will come later. We're having lunch with them all Sunday after church. Then Noah can build his new Lego set with Uncle Joel. That's his favorite thing to do after Christmas and his birthday. We can always count on Uncle Joel to get Noah Legos!!

Hannah and Erin getting ready to hand out gifts

Linda and her daddy, Grandpa Tom

Mark and Linda

Lyle and Mark

Becky, Erin and Mason

THE AFTERMATH!

Hannah and Erin, the Princesses!

We got Erin a dress up set and she loved it!

Linda made a great dinner last night for us. And her pumpkin pie and pecan pie were the best ever! The kids had a great time opening their gifts. It was so odd seeing Hannah open her stuff, not having any toys. She's beyond that now, I guess. :( Noah got this Nerf thing though---it's like shooting trap, only you shoot Nerf darts at these plastic Nerf "clay" pigeons. It's pretty cool.

It was so funny last night...my foot has bothering me real bad lately, with the heel spur I have. Hurts to walk. The inserts I'm using help some, but after I sit awhile, it's hard to walk. Becky started having trouble with her foot recently too. Becky and I were sitting on the couch talking and we both got up to do something. We're both hobbling around with our bad feet like a couple of gimps. It was hilarious because we, at 33 and 36, looked worse than 85 year old Grandpa Tom!!!!! Tooo funny!

We're going out for the day today (Saturday). My boss, Steve, gave us all great gift cards to Hickory Point Mall and my boss, Jamie, gave me a gift card to Kohls. Woo hoo! I love Kohls! So we're going shopping, out to eat and maybe see the new National Treasure movie.

Sunday we'll be eating lunch with all the Cutlers after church. Monday we'll be having Christmas Eve at mom and dad's and then Christmas Day at Grandma & Grandpa Vincents. BUSY WEEKEND!!!!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! And a blessed New Year!!!

It's been awhile...here's quite a few pics!

Man, it's been a busy week! And it's only Wednesday! Okay, the past few weeks have been busy. That sounds better. I've neglected my blog and now I have a ton of pics to put on. I know this one was already put on but I love it so much I had to put it on again!!! They just look so happy!

Everyone has been telling me how much better my face is, after 9 months since the Bells Palsy started. I had to take a picture to see for myself, instead of gawking at myself in the mirror. I can't open mouth smile normal, and my mouth is still a little crooked, but not bad! TONS better than in March!

Last night was Noah's Christmas Program at school. They did such a great job! It was a play, based on American Idol. It was very cute. Noah sang--he's in the back rown, right under the "r" in "Star"

Monday night was Hannah's Band Concert at school. She's the second from the right in the front row. She did a great job! We got to hear the 6th graders, the Jr. High, the High School and the Jazz Band. (I honestly think the 6th graders did the best out of all of them!)

Here's Elly at Hannah's concert. She's so adorable!

Sunday night was the Christmas Program at church. Neither of my kids were in it, but it was still great. The kids (and Tom and Roberta!) did such a great job.

Sunday afternoon the kids played outside in the snow. I played too...taking pictures!

Noah insisted on wearing his swim goggles! He looked like such a dork I had to get a picture!

Here's my snow angel!

This is Hannah whining "MOMMMMM! Tell him to give me the shovel!!!!"

Noah needed to help out shoveling!

Here, Noah said he was snow tanning!

The next three are the kids "sledding" down 4th street. One of them sits on a sled, holds onto another sled while the other pulls the sled that's being held. Sounds more complicated than it is!

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Snow Day!

Ah, is this the greatest picture ever, or what!??!?!
More to come....

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

Decided to try to get a picture of the kids today, in front of the tree. TRY is the key word. When they were little, it was impossible to get a decent picture of the two of them smiling at the same time in front of the tree! I always thought "When they get older, it'll be so much easier!" Ha! Ya, right! They're just as difficult now, if not worse. NOW, they hate to even stand next to each other. Used to, Hannah couldn't stop loving and kissing all over Noah. Now just being within 5 feet of him, she wants to barf! Ah, where did we go wrong?!?! :)

Hannah helped put the tree together last weekend. We always had a real tree. I swore we'd NEVER have a fake tree! That was just a horrible thought! Wouldn't be a real Christmas with a fake tree! Well, after many years of picking up pine needles, forgetting to water the tree and having the tree sit on our front porch until Grandpa Ed or Dad came to get it, we decided to get an artificial tree three years ago. One of the best decisions we've ever made! I love it! It's the perfect shape, a very pretty tree, it's pre-lit...don't have to trek through the hills of trees in 25 degree weather looking for that "perfect" tree. I remember taking the kids out when they were little, wrapped up so much because it was so cold they could barely walk! I'm arguing with Lyle, the kids are whining, Lyle's driving me nuts because he's picking out the ugliest trees (in my mind!) and we're all going crazy! Then trying to get the silly thing in the stand without getting sap all over our hands, string lights (tangled because I didn't put them away properly last year!) and decorate without getting my fingers stuck!!!! Ahhhh, the memories!!!! I did love my real trees, but I truly enjoy the simplicity of an artificial.

Noah, all burrowed in pillows and covers on the couch!

Hannah and her baby, Jinx on the couch
(speaking of couch...I'm really trying for a new couch. This is the one we got when Lyle's grandmother passed away in 1994! I seriously need a new couch! When you see Lyle, tell him you saw our couch on here and it's lookin' a little worn. Looks like you need a new one!!! he! he!)


And here's our newest baby cousin! Haylee Jean Watson was born on November 27 to Matthew and Melissa Watson. Congrats Matt and Melissa! Here she is with Great-grandma Phyllis (Babb)