Fourteen and five

I know that's an odd title but let me explain.  I took pictures today at Cael's basketball game and Wendy texted me pictures of Lucas's hunting trip.  Cael is the youngest grandson at 5 years old and Lucas is the oldest grandson at 14 years old.  Thus......."Fourteen and Five".....makes sense, right?  

FOURTEEN:
Lucas and Doug went hunting with a guy from their church on his property.  Doug went last year and got a deer, so they were hoping for another one this year.  Wendy sent me the first picture of Lucas and his deer.  Way to go, Lucas!

Then she texted and said that Doug and Lucas were helping to butcher a wild hog they had trapped.  More meat in the freezer!

She texted again and said that Lucas had shot and killed a coyote!  He was having a great day!  Doug hadn't fired a shot but was having a great time watching Lucas have a great time!

FIVE:
Cael had a basketball game today after several weeks of either snow outs or holiday breaks.  There are only two weeks left so we were glad today's game was on!

It really helped to turn the flash on my camera.

Matt is such a good coach.  He's so patient with the little future basketball stars.

Nana and Mema agreed that what Cael lacks in skill he makes up for in cuteness!  We got so tickled at him when he ran up and down the court and tried to get the ball.

Sure do love these boys and the other four boys and four girls who are between 5 and 14.

One proud Mema.......

Hello 2014!

Happy New Year everyone!  What to do, what to do on New Year's Day?  Well, for one thing I knew I had to document the happenings of the past couple of weeks before I forget.

But first on my agenda today was to take down all the Christmas decorations and get this house back in some kind of order.  Check.

Next was to vacuum and mop the floors.   Check 

Next was to take a nap....just kidding.

Now to the blog..............

Doug and Wendy and kids left their house at 6 am on Monday, December 23rd and arrived here about 5:15 pm.  They were welcomed to Springfield with freezing temps and snow on the ground and ice on the trees. 

Thankfully it warmed up before the week was over.  I had supper fixed for them and we had a nice evening visiting.  Usually the first thing the kids do is run to the trampoline...even if they have to sweep the snow off.

Tuesday, we went into Wal-Mart in the morning and Karla and I took the Bischoff kids to Bass Pro in the afternoon while Wendy and Doug went to Doling and worked out.

I don't know why Micah's picture is so blurred....sorry Micah.

The Bischoff's went to Hamlin's Christmas Eve Service and to Doug's sister's after and we went to Springhill's service and to Todd and Heather's after. 

Our Christmas morning festivities began with brunch at 9:30 am for 19 people! After we ate we all went into the living room to open presents.  First the grandkids have to sit under the tree for a picture......required before any presents are opened.   They're getting so big, they don't fit under the tree very well anymore.

Always so much crazy fun!  

Doug and Wendy and kids went in to First and Calvary Presbyterian Church to help serve the Christmas meal as they did last year and then went to Gina's for a family Christmas meal. Todd and Heather's and Matt and Lindsay's left for a while but came back that evening for supper and we played some games.

Thursday morning we all met at the Springfield 11.  Part of us watched "Frozen" and part watched "The Secret Life of Walter Middy".  Everybody was please with their choice, I believe, and were extremely pleased with the recliner seats in that theater!  We did not know!!

Since Thursday evening is Water Aerobics class, we thought it would be a good time to let the kids all swim together, so after class, the kids all got in and played.

Friday morning, Wendy and I and the kids went for a walk downtown. It was a beautiful morning and we enjoyed buying some cupcakes at "The Cup", donuts from Hurts Donuts and eating at The Bistro Marketplace.

Those were some nice big burgers!

Friday afternoon we all met at Lighthouse Lanes for some bowling.  That is mostly to pacify me since I have been wanting to go bowling for soooo long!  16 people bowling so we had 3 lanes.

 Friday night was Burrito Enchilada Style night.  Everybody came over and had BES's and taco dip.  We were entertained by Micah's trumpet medley of Christmas songs, Ava's solo and Bailey, Ruthie, and Haven's trio...joined at the end by Ava.

We, (the grandkids and I) agreed that Friday night would be a good night for them all to spend the night. So, after Karla and the parents (and Ava) left (except for Doug and Wendy because they are spending the night too) we settled everyone in beds with movies.  Some on the sofa and floor mattress........

Some in the guest bed......

And some in the bottom bunk of the playroom.....

Saturday morning we all got up and went to the mall....how could we not?

Here's the boys at the gun/knife counter at MC Sports....just wishing.........

And Lucas in the sports store.........just wishing and modeling.................

Saturday night, we took the Bischoff's to our favorite pizza place, "The Pizza House" on Commercial Street.  Yummy pizza!  We ate 3 of the 13" pizzas!  Then.....Doug and Wendy took us to Andy's for dessert.  Yummy ice cream!

Sunday morning we only had one service at 10:30 am at Springhill and we enjoyed worshipping together.  Doug and Wendy had planned to leave around 2 pm so we had time for one last outing together.  Lunch at Little Tokyo's!  

9 kids at one table.....

9 adults and Ava at another.......

After a wonderful meal, everyone said their good-bye's.....lots of hugging and kissing.....and the Bischoff's headed for home.  I was very thankful to hear when they made it back to Houston safe and sound.

Monday was a pretty quiet day except for the Blue and Gold tournament game we went to that night. Willard was playing Kickapoo  for the championship, so Gary and I went to watch.  I hadn't been to a tournament game in several years and really enjoyed it. 

 But celebration time wasn't over.  We had one more party to go to.   Cozy and Steve always invite us over to bring in the New Year with them and we appreciate it so much.  Curt and Amanda and their kids came in on Sunday, so we got to spend the evening with them along with  Roy and Belinda and their kids and grandkids, along with Matt and Lindsay & kids and Todd and Heather & kids, Charles, Carolyn and Donna B.   Great food!  Great fellowship! Great party!  

So here we are in the new year.  Gary's on vacation again this week, so maybe we'll go to a movie or golf if it is nice enough.  However, the forecast is for 1-2 inches of snow tonight and temperatures to fall to single digits.  Oh well, I've got plenty of work to do.  January is a really busy month for Global Encounter....year-end giving statements, 1099;s, board meeting reports, etc. etc.  Better get started......

I pray that 2014 is a year of health, happiness and hope in the only One who gives true meaning to our lives...Jesus.  I pray that I am more faithful, more surrendered, more willing....that I have a deeper prayer life, a deeper walk, a deeper love and commitment.

Happy New Year!!

Donna