Auntie Advent: The Final Chapter

I was almost through all the Auntie Advent packages and realized I had no idea how to reciprocally THANK the kids.

Until I realized I couldn't, so I should just say Thank You in a series of ways that was as spread out as their gifts.

So late one night, I spent time printing out the following message and addressing one envelope for each letter, symbol and piece of punctuation, and filling it with little treats. The next morning I started the staggered mailing process

The kids were supposed to color in the letters and unscramble the following message:

15 envelopes later, I think everything finally got there, because I go this message earlier last week.

THANK YOU Christina, because I know you had the most to do with it.

Auntie Advent Day 12

On the 12th day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me, 

proof that the best gift, love, is free. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We love you!

Dang. I love you too kiddos!

Auntie Advent Day 11

Twas the night before Christmas (and Day 11) of Auntie Advent, 

so my true loves sent a recipe sprinkled with heart. 

Our favorite sugar cookies

we wish we could share with you

Since we can't, the recipe

will just have to DO!

Auntie Advent Day 10

On the Tenth Day of Auntie Advent my true loves sent to me, 

seasonal spicy smells and a light for my way. 

'Tis the Season 

For YUMMY Smells!

Auntie Advent Day 9

On the Night Day of Auntie Advent, 

my true loves continue to warm my heart and keep me afloat. 

Everyone know that

Hot COCO is oh so sweet!

So we decided to sent you this special treat!

Auntie Advent Day 8

On the Eighth Day of Auntie Advent, my trues loves brought to me

a wish for a holiday that is germ free. 

 

We are wishing for your to have a 

MERRY XMAS

and a germ free 

NEW YEAR!

(And it's a NEW YORK one too!)

Auntie Advent Day 7

On the Seventh Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me 

some warmth and comfort for my frozen fingers. 

Just like your toes 

we don't want your fingers FROZE!

Auntie Advent Day 6

On the Sixth Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent their 

camera-shy auntie an old-timey photo album filled with shared memories. 

Pictures of us will just have to do.

We owe you some hugs the next time we see you!

Auntie Advent Day 5

On the Fifth Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me 

some warmth and comfort for frozen toes. 

We don't want your toes to be FROZE!

Auntie Advent Day 4

On the Fourth Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent spicy treats for a cowgirl.

http://cowgirlchocolates.com

Here is a treat to make your day complete!

Auntie Advent Day 3

On the Third Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me 

a magical potion for my bah-humbug blues. 

Here is some lotion. 

It can be your special POTION!

Auntie Advent Day 2

On the Second Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me 

snowflakes enough for a blizzard. 

Snowflakes falling all around -

in your apartment

on the ground.

P.S. Christina 'clued' me in about the clues on the reverse of the notes

Auntie Advent Day 1

On the First Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me

adorable artwork for my Attic door. 

What's in the Box?

I think my delightful nieces and nephew in Idaho sent me an Auntie Advent. I have instructions to "open before Christmas" from Christina.

Which is SUPER COOL - because Aunties like presents too.

It Is! It IS an Advent box. I can't wait to open things.

Back to School 2015: Family Edition

I am in denial that it is fall. It is 90 degrees outside. I was so in the thick of things from the spring and summer that I didn't really register those two seasons, not to mention those important life-milestones.

Like Nathan's May graduation from pre-school.  Whoops!

Congratulations Nathan Buddy!

(Unimpressed girl is unimpressed.)

But now that the school calendar has flipped, the big kids in Idaho are off to school.

Quoth Christina on September 1st:

Off to school for these three! Amber is going into 4th grade, Elle 2nd, and Nathan Kindergarten. 

Wow, my kids are growing up.

Sadly, on September 4th, the bane of parental planning struck. School germs. (sad trombones)

Quoth Christina: Well that didn't take long! School germs are the worst. After 3 days at school Nathan is home today sick.

 

Momma is also learning what its like with not so many helpers around. Grumpa reported that Christina said she was not sure what she was going to do without Elle around to help, now that school was starting.

Meanwhile, down in Nevada, Drew started 5th grade in mid-August.

OUCH!

(The kids in New York barely started this week, and some don't start until next.)

 With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off the sib's social media, so I can collect them and share all at once.

Update: Kute Kids 'Kaus - Idaho Crew

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off the sib's social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

May 2015

Quoth Christina: Finally got the fire pit out for the summer! The kids actually ate the s'mores this year.

June 2015

Visiting Utah to hang out with their cousins from Heber and maternal grandparents

A rarity in our family, but not in others, a gathering of the maternal family tree and branches

Quoth Christina: Fun times at the science center today!

 Pool time!

 Quoth Christina: They wanted to all sleep together!

July 2015

Quoth Grumpa? Christina?: Dad is away to cheese head paddlesports convention so mice will play.

Splash pad fun times

Quoth Christina: We had a great time bowling today! 

We were even lucky enough to have Grandpa Ben and Grandma Virginia with us too!

  Quoth Grumpa: Christina posted the following pictures from their day at the park and lake Friday. 

J took a day off work and headed the family off for a day together.

Quoth Christina: We had a beautiful day playing in Coeur D’Alene.

It's been 1 year, 5 months, a few weeks, and a handful of days since I've seen this crew in person. 

In two days I will FINALLY be on my way to see them.

I can't wait. But I am SO SO SO tired!

Festival Fatigue is real.

Updates: Kute Kids 'Kaus ... Of Course: Girls

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

Jaime:

Resting after shots

Jaime at 4 months

Don't wake the sleeping baby!

Is it wrong to be jealous of all of her naps?

Jaime at 100 days old.

Sleepy snuggles

   Sarah:

Mom went to the National Zoo and brought home a new friend.

  Elle:

7th Birthday Party Celebrations

Per Christina: "Today was twin day at school so these two decided to dress alike."

 

Amber:

Creating a masterpiece

It's been too long. I am having auntie-withdrawal!

Update: Kute Kids 'Kaus ... Of Course: Families

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

The Twins:

Kelli says: "DQ* for supper, What was I thinking!"

 *Dairy Queen

I share a lot about Grumpa and Grandmary, but the twins had a special trip in mid-March to see their relatives on the other side of the family tree --their maternal grandpa and great-grandma.

Here's the story in Kelli's own words:

I took the kids to visit my Dad ... The emotions of the day are just now coming to the surface. For those of you who don't know, my dad has Parkinson's disease. He is now in a nursing home as he can no longer be home alone. It was so sweet to see my little boy jump right in his lap and snuggle and give kisses to Papa. My kids have never known him any other way, so they just love him exactly as he is. I was tired, frustrated and just plain worn out from the trip with two grumpy toddlers and Drew, then I took the time to look at the pictures I had taken. Worth every minute to see these!

 Great Grandma Mangum and Sarah

The Idaho Krew:

Christina had this to say: "Exploring today for our Sunday walk. We saw geese, all different kinds of fish, and a turtle."

 Thank goodness for social media and digital photos. It's amazing to see them all growing up before our eyes.

Warm Family Photos

While the East Coast thaws out -- and by thaws out, breathes deeply of temperatures above freezing and looks around wildly for buckets while alllllllllllllllllllllllll kinds of roof leaks are suddenly apparent in bubbles in drywall and water dripping from new and exiting places -- the nieces and nephews in the Western states get to play outside.

Thanks to Grumpa and their folks for sharing.

 Sarah and Cannon checking on Grandmary and Grumpa's house for them.

As of March 8th, the Idaho kids were out exploring the local waterways,

 while Jaime decided to pose for her 3 month photo portfolio.

Sweet Sunny Girl.

It was 62 degrees this afternoon. Even though the sun was starting to go down by the time I got off my trains by the Attic, and it was starting to be colder, I may have decided NOT to wear my coat home -- just because.

Because ...

BECAUSE I NEED IT TO BE SPRING!

Even if my office has sprung leaks.