Christmas Pt 2

 
Ah, I couldn't get all the pictures in one post. Can't leave out the youngest! Here is Blaise admiring his new cell phone. Such concentration!
 
And my favorite. What is on your head, Uncle Keenan?

We mostly stayed home during the Texas Roaches visit to keep warm by the fire, but on Monday, Keenan, Sara, Brent, and Kelsey, went to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader, while Papa and I babysat all four kiddos at the Gray's house. I would say they all had a wild good time. We are so blessed indeed!

Merry Christmas 2010

 
We were so blessed to host Christmas to all our children and grandchildren this year and what a merry time we had. The gift openings were spread out so as not to be too overwhelming to the kids. The stockings were opened Christmas afternoon when Keenan, Sara, Ari, and Keira arrived. The rest waited until Boxing Day when Brent could join us. He had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We did get to have breakfast with all the Gray's on Christmas morning and watched while Charis and Blaise opened their gifts from Santa.
 
Keira got a cash register as one of her gifts. It came with all sorts of accesories. To make change, she tore a dollar in half.
 
Ari's favorite stocking stuffer was an Ironman toy. He took it to bed with him.
 
Charis loved her microphone to help her put on shows.

Charis visits Santa

 
Chuck and I took Charis to Botanica to see Santa last night. That was definitely the main attraction for her. She insisted we keep moving through the display of lights and was impatient to get to Santa. But first we had to go through the candy cane forest and swirly twirly gumdrops, otherwise known as the butterfly house. The line was long, but Charis did not complain once about having to wait. She kept telling me she wasn't going to sit on the big guy's lap so I was perpared to hold on to her.
 
When we got up to the front of the line, an elf picked Charis up and set her in Santa's lap. Not a peep of protest. He asked her name. That was a mistake because of course, Santa should know her name. She asked me about this later. Oh Santa. Then she told him she wanted ear plugs and a fishing pole. You can see in the picture that he is listening very carefully. He was quite interested in a little girl wanting a fishing pole, but never mentioned the plugs. This worried her but I assured her we could write a letter and remind him. Oh, the plugs are so she doesn't have to hear Blaise cry.
 
These are some dancing Christmas trees.
 
And last, but not least of the beautiful lights, a fountain of lights in the Shakespeare Garden. The night was gorgeous, not windy or too cold, perfect for walking the gardens of Wichita. It is definitely looking a lot like Christmas!

Our State Fair!

 

The Kansas State Fair ran from September 10 through the 19th. Since Chuck displayed a painting in the fine arts competition, we have made more than one trip to Hutchinson for the event. Chuck took Charis up on the first day. Kelsey and I had to stay behind and work a garage sale. That's all I have to say about that.
 

Charis wore her Dorothy costume, which seemed so appropriate for a Kansas fair.
 

Tuesday, Chuck and I drove up with the Grays to look at the animals, eat fried stuff, and ride some rides. We stayed long enough to see the sun set and the lights come up on the rides. The hot day turned into a lovely evening. Chuck and I went up again on Sunday, the last day to pick up his painting, which won a prize, and to see some things we missed the other trips. Someone told Chuck about a hypnotist show so we took that in. Very entertaining!
 
It was such a fun fair. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and are already looking forward to next year. After all, our state fair is the best state fair in our state!

Mother's Day

When your mother is no longer in this world's realm, Mother's Day can be bitter sweet. The last time I saw my mother alive was Mother's Day, 2003. I'm sad that I can no longer visit her or call her up or send and receive emails, but her memory grows sweeter every year. And someday I will see her again. Until then, my own children bless and honor me in so many ways. I suppose somewhere in my wicked past I must have done something good, as Maria Von Trapp says, because my cup runneth over.

My son and his sweet wife and children sent me a package full of treasures and a card. Kelsey and her family brought me flowers, chocolates, and a card. My husband bought me chocolates. And even my sweet sister remembered me on Mother's Day with a lovely card. Thank you all! Having you all in my life is the best gift of all. Thank you for making me feel so loved!

Kelsey, Charis, and I went for pedis and manis yesterday. Afterwards, Brent took pictures of our painted hands and feet. Charis with her tiny purple fingernails, Kelsey's lovely, youthful hands, and mine, well, they looked like a grandma's hand. It kind of shocked me at first, the weathered skin, the wrinkles. What happened to my hands? But after all, I am a grandmother now. I've had my childhood and my youth. Now is a different season and I'm ok with that. Most days. I'm grateful for my good health and that I have the energy to keep up with my grandkids. What are a few wrinkles?

Botanica in Spring!

Ah! The loveliness of our beautiful botanical gardens in Wichita in April. These tulips were in Bloom yesterday for Kelsey's birthday. It was enchanting strolling around, gazing at the explosions of colors and inhaling the sweet fragrances.

 
 
 
 

Artsy fartsy news

Things are happening for Chuck in the art world. He is a member now of Kansas Academy of Oil Painters as well as the Kansas Art Guild. He is a new member of KAOP and is the new president of KAG. But, better than that, his Rose of Sharon,aka Galaxy Rose, and Iris opus #2, are currently on display at City Arts along with others from KAOP. The Japanese Iris has been chosen for an art show at the Garden Show in March. It is good exposure as 45,000 people are expected to attend. Last Friday, an article appeared in the GO! section of the Wichita Eagle, featuring Chuck's Rose painting and a buffalo painted by a good friend of ours, Mary Binford-Miller. Mary, already well known, is one of Chuck's teachers. He hangs with good company. I am proud of my sweetie!