Christmas Pic Photo Op

Soooo, before Patrick's surprise party, we thought that it was a perfect time to "attempt" to take a picture of the grandchildren for our Christmas card. Here we are getting ready for the big shoot in new Christmas jammies.

Crystal is warming up her camera.

Chillin' before we get into the picture taking...or maybe this was after the photo op... considering the happy faces.

Molly and Joey enjoying the fun.

Everyone had to try on Rudolf's antlers.

First, Jackson...

Then Lily,

Crystal....

Santa Layla...antlers weren't her style.

How surprising!

Of course, Rudolf Joey...

So here is one shot that Jackson thought was so hilarious that he just threw back his head in laughter. Lily is thinking about something funny too.

Givin' some love to Joey.

Layla, thinking how she can best carry out the job of being a mischievous elf.

Jeremy trying to blow in Logan's face to get him to smile.

And...our picture that we used for our Christmas Card. JOYFUL!!!

Paddy's MBA Surprise Partaaay

It all started with the deception of a birthday party for J-Man.

Crystal made out 2 false invites about celebrating with a surprise for JEREMY.

She put one invitation on her fridge and I posted the other on mine.

Patrick spotted the invite at both houses and didn't question a thing. He was convinced...A Party for Jeremy!

Crystal got some awesome banners, framed pictures of Patrick growing up, and balloons.

Molly and her friend Sarah made these darling cake pops that look exactly like grad hats.

We had it at the Cottage Inn in Ann Arbor in a private room downstairs.

Crystal wore her gorgeous sparkly shoes for the affair.

We hid against the wall as Patrick walked down the stairs expecting a surprise for Jeremy.

As Patrick came in the room, we yelled "Surprise" and he looked at us like we were crazy. Jeremy hadn't entered the room yet and we were all shouting at the wrong person...or so he thought. He said it really didn't register until I said..."Patrick...it's for YOU!" You could tell that he was totally shocked by the loss of color in his face and we had managed to FINALLY pull one over on HIM. Ahhhhh, the sweet success! Crystal, you are a master of deception and we loved it!

Molly and Jeremy deserved praise for the success by totally deceiving him, also.

14 of his closest friends and family were in attendance.

After appetizers and dinner, Crystal showed (with the help of Jeremy) a power point of pictures that she had gathered of Patrick's growing up experiences. It was spectacular and done with music...and she did it with NO help from Patrick the Techno-Guy.

Woo-Hoo to Crystal! We then went around the table sharing stories about the man of the hour. Very entertaining, funny, nostalgic, and complimentary...

Jared Gall and his wife Kim were there. He had just flown home from Tokyo on assignment and made it in time for the party.

Reid and Sarah Smith, Andrew Chandler and his fiance, Anna, and Branden and Melissa were also able to come to honor Patrick.

What a FUN party. A good time was had by all.

Thanksgiving and Football

On Thanksgiving day, Patrick, Crystal, Logan, Jackson are at the farm. Moll, J-Man and fam are with the Stewarts in Cincinnati. Logan sits with me and can't stop smiling, always a ham around a camera.

Logan sits on his Great Grandfather's rocking chair and thinks it's a good fit.

Of course, Jackson is there to support his bro.

Logan hears that it's time to eat turkey and says, "That's what I wanna hear! Peace, y'all, let's chow down!

Saturday, after Thanksgiving, they return to watch the big football game...Michigan vs. Ohio State. Logan has decided he is a true Utah State fan.

Jackson loves to read...not too interested in watching the game...yet.

What an exciting game. Guess if Michigan is ahead. Your answer is found in Patrick's grin.

It was a close game. It is good to finally win after a few years of Rich Rod. Thanks, Brady Hoke.

After the game, Crystal and Patrick go to Jared and Kim's for dinner. Afterwards... Andrew, Anna, Kim, Jared, Paddy and Crystal go to the guys' 10 year high school reunion at the Bridgewater Tavern.

What a great Thanksgiving weekend...on Sunday, we meet Molly, J-Man and fam at Crystal and Paddy's house for dinner. The cousins are so happy to get together. The babies try on their new p.j.s and think they are ready for Christmas now.

Layla and Jackson always find something to do.

I finally get Jeremy to let me take a picture of him.

Miss Lily is really tired from her time in Cinci, but, she manages to be her sweet self.

Layla and Jackson chow down together.

Patrick really enjoys his food. Such enthusiasm. It was really yummy.

Molly just can't stop laughing at her bro. Too funny.

Sarah enjoys her nieces and nephews...and the food.

Lily celebrates her birthday yet again with her aunt and uncle and cousins.

Logan loves his mom.

Good food, good family, good times.

Grand"friends" Day

In October, we went to Layla's preschool in Rockford to attend Grand"friends" day. She was excited to have us there. The school is located in a church and when we first arrived, we sat in the sanctuary until the children walked down the aisle to the front. Layla sat next to her best friend and showed NO signs of shyness. No surprise there.

She seemed to just enjoy the attention and the opportunity to perform.

Songs were sung and Layla showed an abundance of enthusiasm at her own performance!

After the songfest, we did turkey crafts. Grampy tried to help and she looked at me as if to say, "Does Grampy really know how to do this?"

Grammy, the Elementary School teacher, comes to her rescue and the finished turkey is shown here with all of the things listed on the feathers that she is thankful for. She was grateful for her family (including Grammy and Grampy) and her friends in school.

At the end, we were served snacks and drinks, and we decided this was really fun.

We went back to the house to enjoy some Joey. He was bright eyed and ready to par-TAY!

Poor Lily was home sick from school, but, that was our delight to have her with us. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of her, but, we always enjoy our "Sugar Bear" Lily.

We had chocolate cake for dessert, for an early Lily birthday celebration and Joey thought that it was just yummy!

We came back home and the next day I went to my task of sorting out pictures and things for genealogical work. Mom has kept some really great pictures that go way back and I am having fun sorting through those. It has taken over Patrick's room for months now.

All in all, I think that it is pretty fun being a grandfriend to my grandchildren. The BEST!