Christmases #2 & #4

December 23rd we traveled to Bucklin, KS to celebrate with Sandy's side of the family. 

I love and appreciate this side of the family so much.  Such nice people and good company.  Always an enjoyable time and a lot of laughs.  There are no kids in the Woodruff/Huelsman clan anymore.  Twins Cody and Austin were about 15 months when I met them, Kat not much older.  Now they are all in high school and the boys are, well, grown up and Kat is a beautiful young lady. 

 

Did I mention Miss Kat belongs to this crew?  Maybe that is part of my enjoyment.

I never have to talk my kids into going.  Kat walks on water and is so much help with the little ones. 

 

Kat even decorated cupcakes for the kids!

 

Andy is shown in the background here.  But Andy was most certainly NOT in the background for Amelia.  Amelia LOVED Andy!  She cried, he held her, she was content.  He even helped her open her presents.  It was very sweet.   

 

 

Skipping ahead to the other side of my husband's family.  The Purintons!

We gathered on Christmas morning for brunch.

Look at this spread!

Cinnamon apples, fruit parfaits, monkey bread, bacon, fried oatmeal, breads, and quiche.

Whew! 

Grandpa even played some Christmas carols on his guitar for the older kids.  

Toys, toys, and more toys!

There were kids every which way you looked. 

 

And in the evening the men smoked a wild turkey that they shot a few weeks ago. 

Chloe and Gabi got their turn at the wishbone! 

Chloe got the bigger piece.

Gabi, if you wish big enough I'm confident your wish will come true, too!

Christmas #1

Rudolph & Rudolph

Lead the way!

(Caroline left, Amelia right)

Caroline, Amelia, and Carlee

 

Isaac, Caroline, Carlee, Chloe, Stella, Senakay, Amelia 

Aunt Robie reading to Caroline

First snow!

The neighbor kids came over to play in the snow this morning.

I forsee some serious snow ball fights across Hall Street in the years to come with these kids.

It's so much fun having neighborhood friends!

 

Everybody tackle Jace!

Amelia initially wanted to go outside in a onesie and stocking hat.

I convinced her that more clothes were a good idea.

 

The girls did pretty well out in the snow.   

Isaac and Jace - ready to fire!

 

And this is what gets left for the parents when the kids are done.

A wet floor and LOTS of wet clothes. 

Caroline had some opposing opinions about eating her carrots.

She decided to eat her pasta and then put her socks and shoes in/on her plate when she was finished.

Such a silly girl.  She is so expressive.

Ready to go in our Christmas shirts!

Our "Three King"

Isaac's preschool puts on an annual Nativity program for family to watch.  In preparing for the program they got assigned parts for the big day.  I already knew what Isaac was going to be, but I asked him:

Me:  "Isaac, what are you going to be in your Christmas program?"

Isaac:  "A Three King"

Me:  "A what?  A king?"

Isaac:  "Yep, a Three King.  With the purple present--for K-State!"

Me:  "Oh, ONE of the THREE Kings."

Isaac:  "Ya, that's what I said."

 

So here are some pictures of our Three King in action.

It was a beautiful Christmas program!

 

Peeking around the corner before going on stage.

 

Walking on 

 

Walking away after laying his present under the manger 

 

Catching my eye down front--I got a big smile! 

 

Mary's having a baby "Oh Boy!" 

 

 

Grandpa Purinton and Gram came to watch Isaac's show! 

 

Our King! 

 

 

 

So handsome.

Buddy, you did an excellent job and we are so proud

of you for going in front of everyone and preforming.

You are amazing! 

Winter festivities!

Cousins all bundled up for the Frost Fest parade!

 

After the parade we went to visit Santa.  Isaac spoke so intently to Santa.  Others were commenting on how much he was focusing on talking to Santa.  It was very sweet.   

 

Chloe was pretty smiley.  She asked Santa for play horses and a make-up set. 

Santa told her she was much to pretty to want to wear make-up.  It was also very sweet.   

 

And well.....Amelia and Caroline speak for themselves!

Not so sweet!! haha! 

 

The next weekend we made Christmas cookies at Robynn's house. 

I think we ended up with 180 cookies! 

And good old-fashioned game nights will go over any time!

This was a mean game of UNO blast!