Monday

Today there was no school and Steve did not go to work -- in lieu of having New Year's Day off. While Mommy and Daddy slept in, Kevin and I took Pebbles and walked to Market Street where there is a store with a bakery and hot drinks.

Pebbles was such a good girl! We tied her to a post while we went inside to enjoy our breakfast.

I found a Learn to Juggle box in Kevin's closet! It was a set which belonged to his big brothers. So we pulled it out and tried the beginning exercises using scarves for learning to juggle. What we learned is that you have to be committed to wanting to learn to juggle!!! It is NOT simple.

This afternoon, Daddy, Kevin, and I played some board games. Then Kinga joined us to play Parcheesi. I had not played since I was a kid, but I think Steve and Kinga have made up new rules since then! LOL They beat Kevin and me handily with their mean tricks. ;-) Kevin has become a really good sport about playing games! He now sees the fun in just playing a game whether you win or lose.

Sunday

On our way to church, we stopped at Mommy's grave to remove the fall flowers and put a winter wreath on her grave. Kevin helped to adjust it to look perfect.


He realized he didn't have anything personal for her grave. He usually finds a rock or stick or feather or something to leave for Mommy. So we went searching in the woods. We found a pinecone and a pretty stone.

On the way to church, Kevin started crying saying he missed Mommy. He has never cried at the cemetery with me before, though he did when Daddy was there.
Since Mommy has died, Kevin always wants me to stay in his class during church time and he does not join in the activities until near the end, even though he knows most of the kids. Today, he joined in the class right away! And it was such a good lesson for him! The Bible story was about Jesus healing the official's son (John 4:43-54). The teacher talked about praying for sick people and asked each child for someone they would like to pray for. She told them that God doesn't always heal sick people. Sometimes He calls them home to heaven, and asked the children if they know of people who were sick and died. She had a chart which she asked Kevin to write on. One side for was sick people to pray for. The other side was to list those who have died.

This afternoon, the whole family went to see the movie "Hugo." Great show! Highly recommended! When we came out of the theater, a juggler was performing in the mall. We watched him for a long time as he was amazing!

We had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. Kevin had fun with Mommy and Daddy!

New Year's Eve Day!

We went to the playground at the end of his street.

After I took this shot above, he wanted to take some pictures:



Then he wanted to walk through the woods.


When we came out of the woods at the top of the hill where there is a school, we found a Dad shooting off model rockets with his son and daughter. We went over to watch, and they invited Kevin to join them!


Very cool experience for Kevin! :) The three kids took turns setting off the rockets. Kevin is igniting this rocket!

If you click on the photo, you can see the rocket in the air.

Twice a rocket landed on the school's roof, but there were roofers working up there and threw it down!

Ice Skating!

Kevin and I were talking about going to church on Sunday. I had asked if he wanted to go to Summit to see old friends or to a church near their house. He chose Summit. At breakfast, we asked Mommy and Daddy if they wanted to go to Summit. Kinga said she would go if Steve does. Steve rolled his eyes and said he would rather sleep. LOL Kevin was encouraging Daddy to go. I piped in, "Maybe your new brothers could go too!" Everyone laughed and Kinga said, "Good luck!" Kevin said, "We can't even get them to go to the beach!!!" ROTFL

I wanted to take Kevin ice skating. As we talked about going, the whole family wanted to go too!!! :)
It was quite crowded, but we all had lots of fun!
Daddy and Kevin skating together.


Cullin skating with his Mom (Kinga).

Kevin cutting a groove!



Stephan skating. Unfortunately, he didn't have as much fun as the rest of us, as his skates did not fit well.


We ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Kevin was being silly with Mommy and put a candy cane on her ear.

Grandma leaves TX for NC

Daddy loving his littlest boy early in the morning.


Grandma left today to spend New Year's in NC with Kevin and family.
Cathi told me, after I left, Kien asked, "Why did Grandma have to leave?"
Daddy told him, "Because she is going to see your cousin for New Year's and then go back to her home."
Kien replied, "Well, that's too bad."
Cathi wrote, "LOL! You should have seen the look on his face! It was priceless!"

Awwww. . . he loves Grandma, and Grandma loves him!!!

Kevin wanted to play "Hide the Thimble" using a Christmas angel bear as the thimble. We had a lot of fun with it, but the funniest was when I took this picture! He posed in front of the Christmas tree hugging Santa and wearing the Santa hat, so I grabbed my camera to catch the cute shot.

Little did I know where the angel bear was. Can you guess????
[inside the Santa hat!!!!] He tricked me!!!!

Later he lay on the floor at my feet and drew a portrait of me! :-0


This boy has talent!

Grandma's Birthday

Daddy make Gabe a flying angel this morning! :)

Grandma became an official senior today. At lunchtime, everyone got ready for a road trip. I was told it was a surprise of several stops all afternoon. Sounds fun! We piled into the van with Grandma, Jeremy, and Brandy in the back.

Our first stop was a 50's hot dog and Philly cheese steak joint about an hour away. But worth every minute of the drive!

GREAT food!!!


The next stop was Vandergriff Honda -- Greg's new place of employment beginning next week!

We met some of his co-workers and toured the place. He will be a Service Advisor and sit in a spot like this.

The next stop was a fun one for all of us!!! ToysRUs!!!! We had to check out what might be on sale and what the kids still may "need." :) What fun! We shopped a long time.


Grandma bought Gabe this pull case for his Matchbox cars. He LOVES cars and has to carry them everywhere. But he can't hold them all. Now he can! :)

Jeremy and Kien shopping.

Grandma tried to find tool bin. The boys received a new tool bench with LOTS of tools which are floating all over the house. They need a bin as their home! ToysRUs had nothing appropriate. We went to Walmart and found the perfect "real" tool bin!!!!

Kien is filling it up once we were back home.
The Cheesecake Factory was the next stop!!! Not for dinner, but for birthday cake!!! :) I couldn't choose just one. With the help of Brandy and Jeremy, we chose SEVEN PIECES of cheesecake!!! Something for everyone! Waiting for our purchases to be wrapped.


The final surprise stop was -- Saltgrass Steak House!!!! Where we had a wonderful dinner.

So good that none of us was very hungry for the birthday cheesecakes! Some of us had a bite, and saved for another day.

Swords and Guitars

Why do boys like swords? ha! But they do! Brothers dueling it out with Christmas swords!

Jeremy plays guitar, and plays very well!

So, of course, little brother wants to emulate big brother! He received a guitar for Christmas along with microphone too. Kien has the moves! :)