Christmas 2014

Cousins on Christmas morning. You can certainly see their enthusiasm, except maybe Isla. 

We made the annual trip back to Kansas for Christmas and it was a bigger celebration this year than usual, as Grandma Regier turned 90 years old! It was a wonderful holiday and everyone made the trip home. All the Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grand-kids and Great grand-kids were there, so it was time to have a birthday party! We were also able to see the Holub family in Marion and Grandma Ruby. Both Uncle Zack, Uncle Chip and Aunt Sara were there, so it was a very special holiday on many accounts. Chip and Sara were just deployed to Germany for the next 3 years, so they are on to a new adventure! Christmas was lovely and Sam keeps asking us if it will be Christmas soon. He really enjoyed it this year and totally got into the holiday spirit. Isla, she still wasn't quiet sure what was going on, but she did love the lights and pulling all the bows off the gifts. 

Sweet Phoenix, waiting patiently to open stockings on Christmas morning

Kisses from Grandma. "Aww, Grandma, let me run!"

Happy Quinn and his pup. Waiting to dig in on the annual Christmas morning bubble loaf, AKA Monkey bread. 

Griffin is mesmerized by his stocking stuffers and I'm sure contemplating on how exactly this new toy works.

Uncle Chip and Aunt Sara. It was so great to see them and
glad that they were able to share the day with us!

Besties, cousin Tanner and Phi, who confiscated his hat.
The boys were so sweet and brought each of the kids their own cute little hats the next day

Story time with Uncle Chip. Chip and Sara gave Sam the Wall-E book and stuffed animals.
They are his new favorite things and the book must be read at least 2-3 times a day.

The Sunday after Christmas we had Grandma's birthday party at the Mennonite Church with 70-80 of her friends and family. It was a huge success and she had such a wonderful time and it was so heart warming to have so many people there who love her. We didn't have a formal program, but all the grand-kids, Papa and Uncle Rich stood up to share a memory about Grandma. So it was very sweet to hear all the stories of how and why Grandma is such a inspiration to so many of us. 

Verna was the head coordinator of decorations and everything turned out lovely!

Grandma and her friends

The birthday girl getting ready to blow out her candles. You can't turn 90 and not have a tiara!

Daddy was on Isla patrol, which is really a fun time activity. 

Aunt Verna and Tyler. I love this picture. It's so hard to believe he is an 8th grader,
getting ready to head to high school next year. 

Grandma and her family

Grandkids

And the greats

Even though Aunt Diane couldn't be there in person, she was certainly there with us in spirit.

So as we are cleaning up, this is what happened to all the balloons. I love these pictures, they are so happy.

Verna created photo boards during the different time periods in Grandma's life and they were mounted on the walls for all to walk around and see. The pictures were compilations baby photos, Grandma as a single young woman,  her and Grandpa's courtship, early married life, their children, friends and travel and of course farm pictures. Here's Grandma taking it all in.