Getting Back to Normal

Note: Getting this post to publish has been quite a task. Not sure if it is blogger or just me, but . . . sorry the photos are out of order. Once I finally got them to load, I couldn't arrange them as I wanted, so . . . I gave up!

Christmas morning at home.

Grandma and Granpa K and cousin Emily.

The Kobiskie grandkids.

The results of the graham cracker "gingerbread" houses!

Matigan's house

Elliott's house

Busy decorating.

A Christmas present gone bad. Luckily it wasn't too stuck.

Christmas at the Kobiskie's

A little Guitar Hero

Matigan got to help feed Emily - she was so excited.

Matigan and Kyson play the piano and sing!

The Duerksen grandkids! 14 of them!

Christmas is officially over, the presents are opened and put away, and the house is starting to look somewhat normal. It was a great holiday season with all of our family on both sides able to celebrate with us.

What a blessing. . .

The biggest surprise was my brother, Jeff, who surprised everyone by coming home this Christmas from his overseas assignment with the Navy Reserves. No one - including his wife and kids - knew he was going to be able to be home. It brought tears to my eyes! He told us about the pirate ships he has been fighting . . . really. The kids are amazed that there are still "pirates." I just know that they cannot think of anything other than the Captain Hook stereotype!

The kids were so sweet this year. They wrapped up several of their things to give to us. They wanted so badly to give us gifts, and it was so touching that they would be willing to give up some of their things to give to us. Now I just have to figure out where to store these "treasures."

Things have quieted down, and I am ready to just enjoy the rest of break without all the stress - except for the laundry, taking down Christmas decorations . . . okay that rest may have to wait.

Hope all of you also had a great Christmas and found time to enjoy your families and celebrate what Christmas is truly about - the birth of Christ!