Merry Christmas!

Christmas day is almost here. We are bracing ourselves for a big winter storm--ice, rain, snow--just in time for Christmas day. I am praying that my children make it home safely. Michelle is scheduled to fly in from Denver tomorrow, Christmas Eve. Nikki and Matt are scheduled to fly home today from their trip in Mexico. Their 2 sons have been staying with Grandpa and I. Grandpa has to go to work everyday, so Charlie, Sam and I  have spent the days playing games, watching Sam try to get where he wants to go by rolling everywhere and just generally having fun. Steve and I enjoy having the grandchildren here and love being grandparents. Of course we have to deal with the diaper changing, potty training, feeding and bathing. But reading stories and laughing with them more than makes up for the daily drills.

As you can see in the photo at the left, Sam enjoys his meals. We wear almost as much as we eat. He is a mover which makes it hard to hit his mouth every time.

Charlie and I went with Aunt Nancy and cousins, Emily and Kirsten, to drive through a holiday light display called "Holly Jolly Lights". All the proceeds go to the Make a Wish foundation. There was a long line of traffic--took us over an hour just to get to the point where you pay for your ticket in. Then we sat in the line another 20 minutes or more. We were just creeping along until we finally got to the spot where the light displays began. Kirsten slept through part of it. Charlie didn't. He was very chatty the whole way. I was glad that Grandpa stayed home with Sam. It ended up being a late night.

Frosting cookies at Grandma's house!

The best part is eating the broken ones. That is a rule you know. If it breaks, you eat it right away--at least that is Grandma's rule.

This year I got to attend Charlie's first Christmas program. His daycare had a holiday show and the children learned a lot of songs. They performed very well. Charlie was great the first half of the show. You can see he is happy when he was singing and holding the butterfly.

The mood changed quickly however. The children left the stage and put on some little costumes. I am not sure what happened, but the second half of the performance was not a happy one for Charlie. Although he didn't cry outloud, he had a very sad look on his face and didn't sing the songs. It was pretty typical behavior for a 3 year old.

Not a happy cowboy!

Even giving a present to his mom didn't bring a smile to his face.

Although I haven't been able to spend time with my other grandson, Kalub, this week, we did get to take care of him a couple of weeks ago. He was thrilled looking at the ornaments on our Christmas tree. He had fun finding Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Tigger.

 He is growing up so quickly too. He is talking a lot more and loves to come and play with Charlie and Grandpa. The first question he asked when he arrives is "Where papa? Where Charlie?"

Dinner time!

Have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
May all your wishes come true!

The Steinbronns