Sleep Over at Grandma's

I have so loved my time off work this Christmas. I haven't accomplished loads, but I have enjoyed myself. The best ever is spending time with my grand-daughters. I watched the girls the other night and Kate spent the night. She sure keeps my moving. When she holds out her hand to me and says, "come on grandma", she melts my heart. She had Jim and I pushing her in her umbrella stroller around the house and then in her wagon, now that's tricky. She didn't want to get out of the wagon so we made it comfortable for her. She is sleeping in her big girls bed now so I put her in that big bed, right in the middle and gave her a big kiss good night, hoping she would be ok all night and she was. It took her a while to fall asleep, but she was as good as gold. She slept a lot better than I did. I woke about 2:00 to very loud snoring and had to sleep on the couch. Needless to say it wasn't very comfortable and I had a hard time getting back to sleep. When I finally woke to the sound of Kate it was 8:45. I couldn't believe we had all slept that late. I walked in to find Kate smiling and she immediately jump out of bed and wanted to play. She is the happiest girl. She does your heart good. After getting everyone fed and dressed we took her shopping with us for a bit.
I look forward to when both Kate and Megan will be having sleep overs with grandma.

Kate helped grandpa collect the morning paper.

This is one of her pretend sad faces.

Merry Christmas One and All

Jim and I took this picture last night at the Bountiful Temple. The light in the sky just above the temple look as if there were a conduit of light coming from heaven. It was peaceful and beautiful.
Merry Christmas everyone.

What a wonderful day to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for Him coming to earth, for His life and example. May we all be more life Him in our everyday lives.

It is a beautiful Christmas day. Although, I have to say I wished for a white Christmas. There is something about a new blanket of snow that makes a Christmas morning. The sun was nice and warm today. He had me crying first thing this morning when he presented me with a water color of the home I grew up in. Voices of my parents rang through my ears and a longing to be home again and the memories over took me.

I lived in this home from my birth to when I left home to get married. It was home to 6 girls and only one bathroom. A miracle on my fathers part if you ask me.

Ok so this isn't the best picture, but we were happy to be together this morning.

Jim was able to put on a few more rows of shingle while the sun shined.

Jim and I enjoyed a quiet morning together and made ready a meal for the kids soon to arrive. We opened presents first, and gave Kate and Megan a wagon. She was having more fun helping daddy and grandpa put it together than opening up gifts. I think she was a little overwhelmed with the day, but she always manages to keep me laughing with her funny faces and antics. Megan was hungry, and after eating she managed to give me smiles that melt my heart.

Keith kept us entertained with his magic tricks.

Kate found new places to hide.

Look Who Turned 2!!

Happy Birthday Kate! It's my grand-daughter's birthday today. I took her to lunch and shopping. We had a great time. She is not a big eater, but she loves her chocolate milk. After drinking her milk and eating a little hot dog and fries she enjoyed playing on the toys at Artic Circle. She wanted me to go down the slid with her and couldn't understand why grandma could climb on the big toys with her.

Tonight we went to her birthday party. All the families were there. Sara had everything done up just right. There were clever little touches everywhere. The spinach salad was Kelp and the water and lemon aide were ocean water and fresh water, fun stuff like that.

I believe Kate was enjoying opening her gifts. It was like Christmas there were so many. Her mom and dad gave her a doll house and I don't think there is a little girls who is going to want to go to bed tonight. We gave her a dress up chest and she loved the crown, high heels and magic wand.

I can't believe she is 2. She is growing up so fast. Megan turned 3 months just the other day and she too is getting so big.

Happy Birthday Kate. We love you very much.

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

Watching this gave me chills and brought a tear to my eye. Through the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives this choir helped a great many people recognise the true meaning of the season of Christmas. These people have beautiful and powerful voices. Hope you enjoy.

Family Fun

Tonight the Haacke's got together to share some Christmas cheer. We had a lot of yummy food and lots of laughs. We played some games and shared a small Christmas present. I read a story about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I miss having my father do this. He always had such a special message to share. Tonight we missed Sara, Megan (who was very sick), Michael, Tracy, Hailey, Aubrey, Josh and his new wife, and always Jana, Lynn, Jared, Lexi, Josh, Jesse, and Jakelle.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cheer

We were entertained by the Beattie (Paul, James, Michael, Luke)
14 Boy and 5 girls for the great grandchildren.

Tonight we had our Hadlow Christmas Party. We had a lot a great food, and watching the children run around playing ball wore me out. They have so much energy, I wish I had just a drop or as my father used to say; if we could only bottle it.

I missed having the children reenact the nativity. Next year it's a must. It doesn't seem complete without it. We had a fun time, but there were many missing from our family tonight, too many other activities got in the way. It's the first time we have waited until later in the month so next year we will try for an earlier date.

We did manage to get a picture of the small ones, and a few of the grown ups to make sure they all stayed seated.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Congratulations Sean!!

I went to my nephew's graduation from ITT last night. He graduated with honers and was salutatorian. He earned his BS in Criminal Justice. Congratulations Sean, we are so proud of you and love you very much.

Me, Sean and Carol his mother

DONE!!

Another ending to a semester. This has been a very long semester and out of all the classes I have taken I am most glad to see this one pass. It's not been too difficult, but rather an over load of homework. I worked through this one again on line and I have to admit I didn't put forth the effort I have in the past. My son scolded me and said I would have given him the razz for not keeping up to date on his homework. I had to conceed. I believe I am running out of steam, and losing interest. My life has changed since I first began school and with only one class a semester it's taken me much too long. Maybe I will fill different after the Christmas break, and I hope that I can show more interest in my next class. I truly admire those who have gone back to school with families and graduated.
I just keep telling myself "take one step at a time."