Spent this past weekend in Olathe with Jon, Rach, and Avalyn.  Jon insists I only go to see the baby, but he’s wrong.  It’s so nice to see them all and hear what’s new in their lives.  However,  it sure is great to play with the baby hour after hour.  She is such a happy girl–all kicking and jumping and talking.  It has been such a long time since we had a little one around, and it is such fun!

Ava turned 5 months old this weekend, and is growing so fast.  Talking is her best thing besides jumping.  She has a jumper and and hanging johnny-jump-up, and boy does she love to jump!  I could spend hours just watching her go!

She is learning to eat some veggies, and peas don’t interest her at all!

Avocados are alright, though!

Do have to say one thing about this troll morning hair!  LOL!!!!  It’s OK when you tame it with a bow or barrette, but pretty wild til it’s wet!

It snowed last night–our first one this year.  Got between 3-4 inches.  Just enough to be pretty and have to shovel, but not enough to slow down traffic.  I think we’ll go see the eagles out in Lexington this next weekend and celebrate Rich’s birthday also–let’s see if I get any pics!

This post is for Matt’s Aunt Minnie in Paris.

This is Matthias, born 3 weeks after Avalyn–really tall!  somber til you play in his crib, then he’s all smiles.

Loves his crib and all the colorful stimulation!

Pretty good at making handprint cookies, also!!

Stands up in the corner of the couch–loves to talk.

Natalie had us all over to make cookies, and she also made a great lunch.  Lots of fun, and great time playing with the baby.  The only time he didn’t like us was lunch time, and then only mom was needed!  LOL

As usual, all the family was gathered for Christmas, and this year, newly added, Avalyn.  You would not believe the loot that little baby gathered.  Or maybe you would–it’s so hard not to buy everything you see!

Ava went to see Santa, so was surprised to see Dad and his Husker Santa hat.  That’s OK, Ava, Husker Santas are the best!!  LOL.

Even though she had her own little hat, we had to try on the big one–cute is what they call it!

Ava has lots of headbands, ribbons, and little hats.  This was her reaction when Kathryn tried this one on!

By the way, Rachel sent this picture of her loot from parents, two sets of grandparents, 4 aunts and an uncle.  Guess we’d better sign them up now for her college fund!  LOL.

This is the family photo–we are truly blessed!

When the kids were little, we used to set up trains, but never did after we moved into the current house.  Well, this year, Dean set up a train around the tree, and it is a big hit.  Hypnotizing, as it chugs around.

After all the gifts were opened, some people were enamored by the ceiling fan.

Some played their real guitar shirt–man the stuff they can make these days.Even tool kits brought smiles!But the best part was family time.  We hope and pray that your Christmas was blessed, and that your New Year will be the same.

Avalyn is 4 months old today, and boy, how she has grown and changed.  Can roll over now, found her thumb, and talks a streak.  Those dark eyes just call to you.  We had the best time Thanksgiving when she came to visit, and can’t wait for Christmas with all that wrapping paper and toys!

Ava”s been to see Santa, and has her own little Santa hat.  Somehow, she is the topic of conversation every day!  Rachel keeps us posted on Facebook, but we sure don’t see her often enough.  Gonna have to burn up some highway after the New Year!

Jemma is so busy with school activities and trips to Omaha to see Kurt, that unless she stops by special, we don’t get to see her either!  She had her school program this week which we thoroughly enjoyed–good choices of music.  She helped wrapped gifts for families they are supporting for Christmas, went to get the Christmas tree and got it up and decorated–all in this last week!

My sister is here in Nebraska to see her girls and grands, so will spend some time with her.  Got to get the Christmas shopping finished–fill those stockings!  Ask Rich about his shopping for Avalyn and how fast his pile of stuff grew!

Went to coffee in Syracuse this morning at AJ’s–new to us.  Good coffee and treats–will have to do that again.

Finished decorating the tree last night–one more task completed.  Cards are out, some gifts wrapped.  Gotta keep moving!!  Hope your Christmas season is blessed!

 

Thanksgiving Eve while the pies were baking, Natalie, Jenn and Rachel came with babies, and we had the first reunion since they were all born.  Boy, that was special!

Thanksgiving at the Speth house–we had 44 people this year–a few new faces, and missing some old faithfuls.  Hard to get the  photo before someone has to leave, but we did it!

Didn’t get the usual bunch of pictures, so will have to check out Kathryn’s camera, but did get some important ones!!  As usual, Ava seems to be the topic of conversation!

Hope your day was wonderful, and we all have so many things to be thankful for.   I think the greatest is God and the close second is family.

We went to Olathe for the weekend so Jon and Rach could go out for their anniversary.  Hardship, you know, taking care of that precious child!  LOL!

Mom got her some new Nebraska football gear, so she was ready for the game!

You could tell how the game was going–they intercepted?

Touchdown!!

She showed off her new quilt from one of Grandma’s friends, and, of course, that called for a lot more pictures!

Then we watched Jon teach her how to talk.  She sure talks back a lot to him!  Wonder if that will last!  LOL!

Then she fell asleep–in the swing.  She’s getting over her first cold, and didn’t do so well lying flat, but did well propped up.

She’ll be up for Thanksgiving, so you can all get your fill this Thursday.  Dinner is at noon as usual, downtown, and we’ll see you all then!

As most of you know, I go east in October to see the beautiful leaves.  This year they were far and few.  A few isolated spots of color, but a lot of green trees still.

Went up to Granville for cheese and apples, and took some of these on the way.  Most of the rest were from the back of my brother John’s house.

We watched the Neb. football game Sat. Afternoon, and slowly it got grayer and the big flakes started.

Shortly after the game, the power went out.  We lit about 20 candles and the 4 gas burners on the stove for heat, and patiently waited for the lights to come back on.  Didn’t take long for that to become IMpatiently as it got colder, no heat, no running water, no toilet flushing, no lights, no cooking except what you can boil on the burners.  Slept in our clothes for warmth, and the sun came out in the morning to show this wonderful winter scene–beautiful, except for no lights, no heat, no food, no water—-and on and on.

After Johnny bulldozed the trees off his road, we went up to his place as he had a gas generator we could use 2 hours at a time.  Couldn’t get more gas as no one had power, so couldn’t pump any.  Rationed the gasoline to evenings when it was so dark.  The third day we managed to heat some water, and washing up was something special!!  I would not have made a good pioneer–always thought it might be fun to try.  I did, and failed miserably, mostly in attitude!!  Power came back on the evening of the 4th day, and I don’t remember when I was ever happier, outside of marriage and kids!!  Real hot food and a shower!!  Thank you God for that!  Lost it again the next day, but only for a few hours.  Did get some kerosene for a heater then, and didn’t need it. Yes!!!

Jamie’s harvest party went on as scheduled–about 230 people, lots of food that went fast, lots of music and dancing.  Lots of friends and visiting.

Jake and Emily came up from Baylor for the party, and we had a great time!

Chris came up from Florida for the party and her brother’s birthday, and added to our fun quotient.

Nephew David, Pastor Hazzard and son, and Jake at the party.

See all those people around the wall?  That’s the food line!!

Lots of music and dancing.  Even my mother who is 94 got out there for a couple!

Grandma Apple and I held up the walls!

Jamie took a round or two, we turned the clocks back for an additional hour of fun (and cleaning when it was done!)  and even made church the next morning.

Aimee and I got home late last night, and besides unpacking and laundry, Dean and I went to a Veteran’s program today–great program and a free lunch too!

Got to sort the mail and finish the laundry–talk to you later!

I’ve got to get to KC this week before I leave for Mass. so I can put this bundle in my suitcase and take her with me!!  Just two months old, and a dollie.  Talks and plays–miss being able to see her often!

Worked today, right up to the game time.  Boy, even though we won handily, some of those missed passes were so-o-o-o-o bad!!  I couldn’t do it any better, so guess I’ll stop commenting and be glad the Huskers won!

This grabs me!! LOL  When I have a “witching” day, I can still say that I can drive a stick!!

Even though the event is long over, Kurt and Jemma went to Homecoming again this year, and as usual, looked gorgeous.  What you can’t see is that neither of them has braces anymore!!  Yea!!

My favorite weekend pic–I’m going to make a scrapbook page of all Ava’s funny faces and call it “Express Yourself!!”  This one is the best!!

Himself retired 3 weeks ago, and this was a bunch of coworkers who went to supper and drinks on his last day!  So far he is cleaning out his garage, and seems perfectly happy not to wake up to an alarm in the morning, until I set one for me this morning, and he wanted to know why!! 

OK, yes, I had another birthday, complete with family, dinner out and cake and ice cream!  Don’t you love having family on these special days?

Well, time to go get the suitcase and start packing so I’m not washing all the clothes the night before!  I’ll see if I can master my sister’s computer while I’m gone and send you some pics of the pretty trees back east.  Sure aren’t any here this year!!

 

Ava was baptized 2 weeks ago, and this is our family shot.  Richard is the godfather, and Rachel’s friend Cindy is the godmother.

Ava is growing so fast!!  It seems she is the only topic of conversation these days!!  Can’t wait to see her again!!  Guess I’ll have to make a trip to KC before I go to Mass.  Could stuff her in my suitcase for the trip so she could see great grandma.

Haven’t taken any new pictures lately.  Jemma went to Homecoming with Kurt, and has danced for Homecoming in Syracuse, but no pics yet.  Went out to eat this weekend with the kids for my birthday, but no pics.  Guess I’d better dust off the camera now that I fixed it so it will record on the card again!!

Still working at SCC evaluating skills of EMT students.  This class we are working with seem to be “extra special” good.  Must be the good work of their instructor, as they sure seem to “get it!”  Donna Kopf is a RN and EMT-P, and has the touch of teaching–makes it easier to teach and test the skills.

 

I’ve been busy sewing up a storm.  Since Aug 15th when Ava was born, we’ve had 2 more baby boys born into the family.  This quilt is for Lincoln, born to my niece Jennifer.

And this is newborn Lincoln.

Then came Matthias, born to Natalie.  Because we didn’t know if she was having a boy or a girl, she got a multicolored quilt.

Rachel had some different fabrics to match Avalyn’s nursery, so we made a quilt for the nursery.  This one was quilted with her name in each block, and turned out gorgeous!!

Then Jon said Ava needed some Husker things–clothes, a quilt, cuz after all, she was a Husker fan!!

So Kathryn got her a cute Husker outfit, and Grandma made her a quilt!

I will be going back to Massachusetts on Oct 27th and staying for a couple weeks.  Grandma Apple will come along also, and we plan to go to my brother Jamie’s Harvest Party held each year in his barn in the woods.  Will get there in time to see some of the fall color, I hope!!