2012

Another year gone by...

Each year I print a calendar for family 

filled with pics from the year before.

Such a fun way to look back and see what we accomplished each month, sometimes it goes so fast - it's hard to recall!

 

Looking forward to a memorable 2013!

The Christmas Tour

We began our Christmas tour 2012 Kansas City on the Sunday before the big day.The Ferrantelle family hosted and everyone was in attendance! 
That makes---
3 from NYC, NY
3 from Butler, MO
2 from Coffeeville, KS
3 from Springfield, MO
1 from Huntsville, AL
2 from Joplin, MO
2 from Carthage, MO
10 from Kansas City, MO

Quite the family and lots of effort put forth to be together! So Thankful!
 
We had a HUGE meal, shared some HUGE laughs and made some HUGE memories! Go big or go home. This family is in your face loud about how much we love each other and no one seems to notice any more.

KC had some snow so of course Grandpa lead a tutorial on snow men and snowball fights for the boys.

This group right here, it's a good one. 
Sacrifices made to keep our family so close that continue throughout the year, not just at Christmastime. Held together and inspired by a lifetime of love given by that man in the middle. The man that runs in and out of my mind daily - this Christmas was different than the last but still Happy all the same. My grandmother's spirit was all around us - her memory still strong. Last year each grandchild received a quilt - either made or collected by her and this year a piece of rose depression glass. So special - what Christmas is all about.
 

Aggie passing out her infamous homemade granola!

These two know how to have a good time!

 

Stop #2 on our tour was Sedalia, Missouri to spend time with Grandma Alice and most of the Shoemaker clan. We had brunch together and shared a wonderful afternoon visit. Lots of hugs and kisses. A bit more subdued than the KC stop but just as much love - all the same. My grandmother is so strong - at 91 she is still such an inspiration. I treasure the fact that I am her namesake and cherish the relationship that I still have with this beautiful woman.

 

On to Christmas Eve---

Josh organized a dad and lad breakfast
with a few of his friends.

I snapped this shot of the two of them on their way out.
So proud of them - aren't they the cutest?

  

We spent the day delivering Kringles, fruit filled pastries made famous by a local bakery, to friends. Such a fun tradition we started three years ago. So nice to stop in for one last hello before the madness of Christmas Eve and Day begins.

We attended the five o'clock Christmas Eve service at our church and came home to a quiet dinner at home. The Ross family joined us for dessert and jammie time before they headed home to put their cookies out for Santa. This is another fun tradition we love - a night with friends.

Christmas morning was filled with excitement - as it should be!
Charlie slept until 8:00 I think and was eager to see what Santa had brought. This year the Batman cave topped the list. Josh wanted to get him a bigger nerf gun and I found the bow and arrow at a toy store in KC. My favorite gift for him was a stuffed knight set I found on Land of Nod. There is an action shot of this to follow! A doctor's set and a costume of "Dash" from the Incredibles rounded out quite a haul for Mr. Charlie. He was GOOD this year!
  

We had a wonderfully small family Christmas with the three of us and then loaded up and hit the road for Carthage to be with my parents and sisters. They waited for us to have a delicious Christmas lunch and then we opened our gifts from family. 
Charlie made out again with several fun items and Josh and I were equally as spoiled.

Charlie and I stayed in Carthage for a few extra nights and were able to spend lots of fun time with my sisters. It was nice to slow down a bit after the madness of the season. So much to take in such a short period of time - all that prep for a few days with family celebrating what really matters - the birth of our Savior. May we never lose sight. Until Christmas 2013...