Christmas Fun of 2014

I'm a little giddy when we get to head to the Bend for Christmas.  It's always filled with fun opportunities to make memories, yet plenty of time for relaxing.  It's also like it just hits me, I survived the first semester and now get two weeks off.  Wahoo!

Selfies on the way to the Bend

I'm telling you.  Christmas-giddyness at its best.

Manis and pedis with the Kid.  Always a grand time!

Okay, enough with the creepy photos, now back to Christmas.  

Mike and Jan got a new little kids table to use during meals.  It's a hit...and it's already full!  They may have to invest in another as more grand-kids come along!

Opening Christmas Eve jammies

Obligatory Christmas Eve jammies photo shoot

The boys

The girls!  The first year with the same amount of girls and boys!  The Keeley fam gained some girl cousins this year.  Keeley Birt was born in March and Laney Beck in November.
Does it not look like Keeley is saying 'sup?  Maybe that's just because she looks so much like her dad, Mitch.

This one says it all.  Chaos.  I mean, Christmas cheer.

Time for presents!

Reesie's very own backpack.

Cade's very own Wildcat football uniform!

All the kids got the cutest personalized chairs from Beth.  What an awesome idea!

Cade is loving lego sets these days!  Even the crazy-complicated ones!

Reesie got some dance shoes to start her first dance class in a couple weeks!

And dress-up clothes, of course!

The Birts

Keith and Beth

Fun with Grandma

Ready for Christmas dinner!


For the past few years we've celebrated Christmas with the Keeley side on the 23rd-24th and then we go to Christmas Eve service at my parent's church and make the switch to the Sauder side.  We love having everyone just 10 minutes apart in the Bend.  We are spoiled for sure!


On Christmas day we always make our birthday cake as we are celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

I love this sweet pic.

And this one too.  Present time!

Cade is rocking a great smile these days.  Who wouldn't be right before they open a huge pile of gifts for the second time in two days?!

What a cute couple!  Scott's first Christmas with the Sauder clan!  Welcome!

The Kid with her orange gear and constant "guns."  Love her.

I've been making a conscious effort to take more pics of Matt and I.  Cade took this one...

Playing with the loot!

What a wonderful Christmas--many days filled with family, food, fun, and wearing pajamas all day long.  I'm so thankful for our families and the effort they go to so that Christmas is a special time for all of us.  I know many grandparents think they have the best grand-kids, but my kids have the very best grandparents.  Hands down.  We are blessed.  We are thankful for this life we get to live, the blessings God has given us, and the chance to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.    

Always a sign of a good time had by all!

The blogs of Christmas Past: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

Pre-Christmas Festivities: 2014

The Christmas season comes with its own whole set of "pre-Christmas" festivities--programs, parties, Santa visits, etc.  All great reasons for the kids to sport their Christmas outfits.  I just love Christmas outfits.

We dined at Five Guys before heading out to Cade's Christmas Program.  

Cade is in the middle-right of this photo, donning his dapper sweater vest.

Cade held strong and didn't participate in a single action with the other children while singing.  He did sing some, and turned around to visit with those around him some.  Looks like the show choir is NOT in his future.  It was still a cute little program and I'll claim him as mine any day, actions or not.


I popped in on Cade's class Christmas party.  As I've said before, I love getting to visit his school and wish my schedule allowed it more often.

They played some games and did a craft.

Pretty cute!  We enjoyed a little date to McDonald's afterward.  Cade's pick.

For our "J & D December outing" we went to the K-State game at the Sprint Center and even invited our hubbies to join us as well.  Forget about a pic of us, I was trying to get a pic of Willie the Wildcat.  For a friend.

We weren't able to make it to Crown Center on a week night (which is the best time to go) so we went first thing on a Sunday which wasn't too shabby.  Great company makes a big difference!  We love our tradition of always going to Crown Center with the Heine's.  We  had brunch at the restaurant in the new HyVee--which sounds weird--but the HyVees around here are pretty swanky.  And, best part, kids under 5 eat brunch for FREE.  Our party happened to have four under the age of 5.  Score!

A photo this sweet is worth the wait!

After visiting Santa we hit the road to head to the Bend.  Let the Christmas Extravaganza roll on!
Previous Santa visits: 2013, 2012, 2011