We've finally reached the table-top tree age...

 

Our tree was up and decorated in about 30 minutes.

 

Some decorations added to the new shelves.

 

I got that little sign on sale last summer.  "All hearts come home for Christmas".

Hugs, Gretchen

Happy Birthday to Chloe and Nicholas...

 

Chloe had her 5th birthday on November 21 and Nicholas will celebrate his 9th birthday on December 15.  Noelle and Rick combined the birthdays and had one big party.  With parents and kids it amounted to about 75 people.  They served pizza and birthday cake.  They had the party at a house called "Celebration".  It is two stories of fun for kids.  Video games, air hockey, tunnels, play kitchens.  Thre is a game for everyone and you leave it at the end of 3 hours and they clean up.

 

Chloe looked adorable in her sweet little outfit.

 

 She's ready to open packages.

She and he brother always take time to read the cards first.

 

 Her hair in curls looks so sweet. 

 

Papa and I got Nicholas a Ben Roethlisberger/Pittsburgh Steeler fathead for his bedroom wall.  Obviously, he wasn't too excited about it.  LOL

 

That's his cousin Carson with his head atop Nicholas'.

 

His Mom and Dad got him a phone kind of thing.  Leave it to non-techi me not to even know what it's called.  He can play games, send and receive e-mail, and I'm not sure what else.  It will give his parents back their own computers.  The only thing it doesn't have is telephone access.  He doesn't need that yet.   

The best part about this party was that, as always, Noelle found a way to make it extra special.  She contacted the principal at Nicholas' school and found 3 children that weren't going to have Christmas.  She asked guests not to bring presents for her children but to (if they wanted) bring a gift for 2 girls or 1 boy.  They were all from different families.  She had a tub for each child.  When the party was over, each of the tubs was over flowing with clothes, toys and games.  Her parents certainly raised her to be one of the most giving people I know.  I know they are extremely proud of her.

Hugs, Gretchen