Mom. Grandma, Grammy's Birthday- A Box Full of Love

 We had Mom and Dad over tonight for Mom's 85th Birthday dinner.

 Yogurt parfaits for dessert

 Out came the Box Full of Love that YOU ALL filled!

 Here, Mom is reading the list of things I appreciate about her and have 

learned from her over the years.

 A cute hand-drawn card from Amelia Mullins!

 An oil painting from Joy and darling cards from the Dennis Kids

 A "G" for Grammy and a sweet picture with Kana Shackelford

 Beautiful pen and ink from Ariana Shack, bookmark from Ethan

 and family letter from the DeHarts

 Lovely table runner, scone mix and other gifts from the Barnes' 

plus notes dictated to Erin from Garrett and Wyatt

 Darling birthday cake made from paper crafts with family pictures from the Illinois Shacks.

Thanks to all of you for sending your love and greetings. As Mom was leaving, she said, she was "flying high" from all of the sweet notes and gifts! :)

Christmas Memories

 Little Lee is 9 months old! Sitting in my Greatmother's rocking chair.

 Philip scanned some of Grandpa Schlappi's cartoons & put them together & framed them for Kirk to hang in his office.

 Lee had lots of fun playing with the tissue paper & bows.

 Great Grandpa Stevens playing with Lee

 This wonderful family picture made me cry!!

 Jeff & Heather gave these earplugs to Kirk for shooting (& to drown out his chatty workmates, too!)

 Lee enjoyed shaking this new Christmas toy

 Beautiful Heather in her new scarf

 Lee got the cutest little cloth "tool kit" from Uncle Jeff & Aunt Heather

 Heather made this cute "Winter Wonderland" sign for my front door.

 Jerry looking at my yearly photo calendar I made for him & our other family members.

 On Christmas morning we had a "Merry Gentlemen" breakfast for widowers on our street. One didn't come & Bob Taylor joined us after we took this photo.

 "Happy Birthday to Jesus, Happy Birthday to you!"

Shepherds: Anders Jensen, Wyatt & Garrett Barnes

 Blowin' out Jesus' candles

 Little Crawlers: Lee Stevens & Lars Jensen

 Gretchen & Lars, Abby with Lee, and Erin with Wade

 Sisters with the youngest cousins

 Heather visiting with Grandpa Stevens

 Erin & Grandpa Seelye chatting

Our Christmas tree this year

October Guests & Fun

 Ed & Luanne speaking about Faith Promise giving during our Missions Conference

 We saw Kathy (Klages) Hicks & Joyce (Lindley) Webster at Mimi's

 Here we are-all together!

 Mom & her "Fourth Daughter" Jan Gidel

 Ed & Lu stayed with us the first week of October. 

We loved having them here! :)

 Here, Lu is showing Philip & Abby her digital picture album of her time with her 2 

13-yr old granddaughters this summer.

 Great Aunt Luanne meets Little Lee

 Great Aunt Jan meets Lee, too!

 Lee's pudgy little hands at the piano. He enjoys playing it.

 Great Grandpa Stevens enjoying his namesake.

 The kids came over for dinner to visit with "Aunt Jan & Uncle Steve"

 We enjoyed chatting together. Steve & Jan stayed here for 12 days as they were seeing supporters & participating in our Missions Conference. SO great to see them again! :)

 Steve & Jan with Mom & Dad before our Faith Promise service

 Steve & Jan were married at Granada 25 years ago, & walked along this path to their getaway car. :)

 Precious Little Lee is 7 months old in this picture

Back at Mimi's

We had a busy, fun & meaningful month!