Because Aaron, Chelsea and Raylee are in town now and will not be back until next Aug. at the earliest this week was both Thanksgiving and Christmas. It makes for a busy time but it is nice we at least got to spend some good time with them all while they were here.
What a difference a year makes, last year with no kids we hung-out late at night, played lots of board games and no one worried about time or poopy diapers. But with two baby's everything had to work around nap and feeding times for both of them. But there were still some board games, and way too much food. And the kiddo's provided some good laughter and fun to the mix.
Here is Raylee with her hug-a-buddy from Jacqueline. (He has a heating pad in his tummy to help keep her warm for the Alaska winter months.)
Here is Jacqueline with new blocks from Raylee. They are soft and perfect not only to build with but also to chew on.
Jacqueline getting in the Christmas spirit with her Jingle Bells.
I am not sure if we are trying to be naughty or nice here but sticking out her tongue has been a new favorite activity.
The extended Meeuwsen side, Uncle Ryan with Jacqueline and Jaxson. It is hard to tell because Ryan is holding them but Jaxson is almost a year old but he and Jackie are the same height. Jaxson dose have the advantage of he can walk but Jackie and bounce.
One more photo. Jackie and Raylee in their matching outfits. Oma made these darling little outfits including the shoes so that they would match for opening Christmas Presents. It was just tough to get a picture with both kids looking the same direction and smiling.
So thinking of Great Grandparents I want to share a Grandma Great Kate story with you. When I was young, I think around five I remember visiting Grandma Great and sitting at her desk/ vanity. While I sat there I looked through the top drawers while the adults talked. They were filled with fancy glittering jewelry. And as a kid I remember thinking that Grandma Great must have been some kind of Dutch Princess in order to own so much expensive jewelry. I don't remember exactly when I learned the truth that most of it was costume jewelry and not the Dutch Crown Jewels but even when I knew better I still liked to sit at her vanity and look through the little boxes of costume Jewelry. My favorite was a little purple butterfly broach. I don't know exactly what happened to Grandma Great Kate's butterfly broach but I have told your dad if we ever find one just like it in an antique store we are buying it because it brings back such fond memories of Grandma. Purple Butterflys and Wilhelmina peppermints will always make me think of Grandma Great Kate. I wonder what will you think of when you look back some day and remember Grandpa Ed, Grandpa Lloyd and Grandma Norma.
