Christmas Eve at Aunt Bonnie's

It's long been a tradition to spend Christmas Eve at Aunt Bonnie's house. This year we did things a little different by opening up our gifts to each other that night too. Aunt Bonnie had come up with a few Christmas games for the kids, and in the end they received their gifts.

One game ended with my older six children each receiving either a jar of pickles or a can of black olives! She knows her nieces and nephews so well!

Kaden's treat, along with his money, was candy. He's still developing his taste for dill pickles and olives! The older children received money too.

Kaden and Aunt Bonnie.

Nan Nan opens her gifts, one of which was new pajamas.

Aunt Bonnie was thrilled with her new GPS! We just want to make sure she doesn't get lost again on her way to the singles dances!

Getting ready for Christmas 2009

One day while the kids were at school Kaden and I made gingerbread boys and girls.
The kids then decorated them as they wished.

Here's Brady's... globs of icing and a handful of chocolate chips!

We were blessed this year with a white Christmas!

Kassie's friend asked for fudge for Christmas, and since she is a big fan of horses, Kassie made the fudge in a horse cake pan!

Kaden got to visit Santa twice this year. Once at our church Christmas party and another time on the square of Hanover.

When Santa asked Kaden what he wanted for Christmas he started explaining how his bike is broken. After the explanation of the broken bike Kaden clammed up and never actually asked Santa for a bike!

Wisdom teeth

On Friday, December 11, 2009 Kassie and Brady both had their wisdom teeth removed. Brady's were further impacted than Kassie's, so he had a more difficult time recovering. Kassie missed school the following Monday. Brady missed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. His swelling would just not go down. Then a month later Brady developed a post-op infection and had to go back two more times to have that taken care of. We chose a surgeon in Camp Hill, PA because they took our health insurance. We weren't to thrilled with having to make more trips to Camp Hill, but that's the way it goes!
Some how Brady's excuse for his three days missed never made it to the school so he has been labeled truant. I've called the doctor's office to have them fax another excuse, but still haven't heard if it's been taken care of. Just another hassle to deal with!

My Willow Tree Nativity

Now that I'm back into blogging, (well, at least for now), I thought I should go back and catch up on posts I never posted! I just have to talk about my beautiful new nativity set! My SIL, Maria was able to help me get the Willow Tree Nativity at a nice discount. After Christmas I found the angel stand and an angel on clearance that I can add to my set. I'm hoping next year to get the creche.

Isn't it beautiful? I just LOVE it!