Bryan and Sarah Graden: January 2016

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Good morning, Good morning!

Last night Dad & I were planning on watching a movie after you kids went to bed, but I was starting to get a sore throat and was really tired so we actually went to bed by 9PM. That's super early for us! AND Aimee slept the whole night through (that hasn't been happening for awhile) AND none of the other kids needed us, so it as a WHOLE night of uninterrupted sleep. Hooray! When Aimee got up around 6:45 I got her out of her pack 'n play in our closet and brought her in to bed with us, telling her how proud I was of her sleeping through the night! After nursing her, the 3 of us were jabbering and giggling together. Brie knocked on the door, having heard Aimee, and asked if she could come in. We ushered her in and she climbed in on the bed. Within a few minutes we were singing "Good morning, good morning! You slept the whole night through, so good morning, good morning to you." We were just started the second round, "Good morning..." when the door went flying open and Alex hopped on to the bed singing "Good morning!" with Lij on his heels. "You slept the whole night through!..." The timing was spot on and it sounded like the start to a musical. It was so cute! What a great way to start a Saturday :0)

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

According to Motorola, 12 (December).

Brie's 4th tooth...All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth :0)

Brie playing the musical snow globe at her door leading up to Christmas

Inherited Grove Gator hoodie (Thank you, Sagers!) that we embellished with a bow

Putting up snowflakes...and what a great book!

Father-Son time one snowy afternoon.

Brie & Alex helping me to tie the M & M blanket for Bompa & Mémé

Craftroom chaos = many Christmas present projects underway!

Silly Elfie ;0)

Delicious snickerdoodles from Yuling. For not liking sweets she sure is a sweet person ;0) I am SO glad the Nowlands moved in down the street. We are blessed to have them as friends!

Roo happily pushing his own mini cart at Kroeger (It's so nice having a few hours a week when it's just Lij, Aimee and me at home).

Love me some chubby knees :0)

Impromptu picnic lunch by the Christmas tree and fire.

Thoughtful Thanksgiving cards and candy from Em & Buckley

Alex helped me to make a fabric gingerbread for each of the kids in the family. It was so fun to work on it during nap time with him.

Gold foiling Valentine note cards for part of Heather & Rex's Christmas present

Orion and Brie with painted faces at the ISU Children's Christmas party

The Graden group with Santa

Sweet Aimsey!

With Reggie the Redbird

My December package, so cutely wrapped in kitty Christmas paper, and a look inside...

Insta hot cocoa bar, courtesy of Aunt Emmie.

After Patricia Seader's baby shower

Dad & I after attending Nancy Ferrero's retirement party

Trying out some "rabbit food" for breakfast (called it that so you kids didn't want any ;0))

Aimee clapping :0)

Olivia and Aimee, undoubtedly one day after school (Sometimes Olivia will come over and sit in the house with you napping kids while I pick up the carpool--Andrew, Brie and Whitney)

Extra special Tea Party Tuesday for Brie's birthday with Olive and Orion.

Sister Sleepover!

Played with the boys one morning...we ended up color coordinating all of their trucks, cars and machines, and we had fun doing it ;0)

A little felt Christmas tree for the kids to decorate

Alex and Shamae playing the piano one day during a play date

Brie in her French beret ready for hat day

Alex with an orange wreath to give his teacher for Christmas

Lij helping to make the Roodolph the Red nosed Toddler cards for Christmas...

I just LOVE how they turned out!

Brie finishing up her "All I want for Christmas..." ornaments

Brie's cute note to Santa

Our 2nd fish, bought at the beginning of December, Joycey Noel.

I should play with the boys more often, creating with blocks is therapeutic and fun :0)

"Mom, I'm smiling at Grauntie and she's smiling at me."

Alex after helping to set up the giant bed for our "Christmas Eve" sibling sleepover in the basement

Packaging and stacking the Christmas presents. The name tags are newly designed and made this year.

Outing to the Dollar Tree to get candy and socks for our M&M Christmas present

The beautiful Scandinavian ward Christmas dinner

Brie in the BEAUTIFUL dress that Grammy Ruth and Grandpa Ed sent for her birthday/Christmas

Brie being an angel, "earthward winging"

We attended the Journey to the Manger put on by the Lutheran Church around the corner. It was a really nice presentation. I appreciate such efforts to keep Christ as the center of Christmas.

Doing the 2nd Advent Sunday night before bed--lighting candles, singing German hymns, having European chocolate.

I love this view from upstairs

Assembling Christmas gifts

My little pink shimmery reindeer :0)

Gingerbread house decorating at the Ringers, all put on by DeAnna Silvey. What a fun evening!

Boys, did you know it's Winter??

An incredibly thoughtful package from Michelle Graden, Dad's cousin. A Forgotten Carols project she's been working on for the last several years. What a treasure.