Let it Be Christmas!

Well, here we are at the close of another year. It's hard to believe. I just wanted to post a few of my favorite pics from Christmas. Our family had a wonderful holiday and I personally enjoyed every minute. The kids were so much fun! Zeke is at that perfect age...everything is exciting and magical to him. He brought us all many laughs. Elijah is at that independant age. I don't like it so much. He disappears to play video games of watch movies on his new DVD player. Wish we could keep him small forever. Emmy...well, she's just hillarious and sweet and ornery all rolled into one. She's my pal, and I just love her to pieces! Below are pictures taken at our 3 Christmases. Enjoy!

We're a Buckeye Family!

Andrea and Jon on Christmas Eve.

Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve.

Zeke with his new Ohio State hat!

Elijah is a Buckeye from head to toe!

One pretty little Buckeye!

Sandy and I were in the Christmas spirit!
Dad and his sisters, Marla and Margo sang at our annual Grate Christmas.
Not much I can say here except, "Oh my goodness! Cutest kids on earth! "
Jason's family on Christmas Eve.
The 3 kiddos with Uncle Ed and Aunt Linda on Christmas Eve.

December Birthdays!

Well, our big family weekend came and went, but it sure was a good one. I have to say, it ranks up there as one of my favorite. It was just a good time! We started off on Friday night with just Jon and Andrea and the kids. J and Holly stayed in Ft. Wayne with friends to celebrate Christmas while mom and dad couldn't come till Sat. Friday night we had pizza and a movie night. It was a fun, relaxing evening. (As you can see)

Zeke was in an extra, loving mood and I wasn't complaining.

Time for Bed. Jon uncovered a sleepingEmmy to take her to the bed and this is how we found her under the covers. It was too funny not to take a picture.

Sat. Jason and Holly joined us at 1:00 for the IWU lady Wildcat basketball game. It was a special one as they announced the championship team of last year and revealed the National Championship banner.

After the game it was home to party and celebrate the December birthdays of Sue, Holly and Elijah! Mom and Dad arrived around 4:00 as well as Bob and Janet, Sue's partents. We celebrated those we love.
Below you have Mom and Dad with Andrea. Mom can't seem to keep her hands off Andrea's growing belly.

This is Bob and Janet Jackson, Sue's parents.
After eating, we opened the presents before cake and ice cream. We made Elijah read all his cards out loud before he could open the present. (Good practice, you know.)
Since Elijah's party (cake) was an Ohio State theme, Grandma Grate thought his present should follow suit. These are just a few of the treasures in his goody bag.
Jason liked them too. Elijah may have trouble holding on to his belongings on game day!

Elijah, 9 years old, with his Ohio State Cake!
All 3 birthdays blow their candles out together!
Sorry, these pictures are backward. Before they blew the candles.
Holly opens one of her gifts....
AS does Sue...

The weekend was so great. Sat. evening, the "siblings" stayed up late talking which was really nice. We don't get the opportunity to do that much anymore. We're all spread out and quiet talk time is at a premium with all the kids. I enjoyed it immensely.

I hope all the Dec. birthdays enjoyed their special day and know that we love you!

Just a side note, today is Sat. the 15th and we are expecting up to 10 inches of snow in the next 24 hours. I am hunkered down in my house (in my pajamas which is how I plan to stay the rest of the day) for a day of wrapping presents, reading, watching Christmas movies, basically whatever hits me. But it doesn't involve me getting gussied up and going anywhere!
How sweet is that?!

Happy 30th Birthday, Andrea!!!

Well, to my secret commenter, who is missing my writing...Here you go! To tell you the truth, I have been so busy, since Thanksgiving that I have felt like I am meeting myself coming and going. My Thanksgiving holiday was wonderful, just like I knew it would be. The shopping day was especially fun since I kept finding things for myself! So much for others! Sat. evening we had a "semi" surprise party for Andrea's birthday. I say "Semi" because she totally knew something was going on. But, her best friend, Nicole, was there and that was a surprise, so I guess that should count for something. Below I have included some pictures from her party.

Above you have Andrea with her very cool Ohio State serving platter, that is upside down if you look close enough to see the script Ohio on the field.


Andrea's best friend, Nicole who only beat her to 30 by 6 weeks.

They've been friends since birth!

I love my sister!

Since Thanksgiving, I've baked approximately 35 dozen cookies, and gone home to help host 2 big Christmas open houses that my parents hosted. That was a busy week and weekend! But let me tell you, my mom, sister and I make a great team. We had the best time and put on a spread that was Paula Dean worthy, if I do say so myself! Andrea and I would love to do that kind of thing for a living. Maybe someday....

This week, I am busy cleaning and preparing for my whole family to be at my house. We are celebrating December birthdays! Elijah turns 9 and we're also celebrating Holly and my best friend, Sue. The Holly and Sue part is a surprise, so sshhh..don't tell. Hopefully neither will read this before Sat. So, I will have pictures to post next week of this big weekend!

Then...I rest.