Christmas/New Years!

This was our year to have the kids and grandkids during the New Years time rather than Christmas.  The Bauer Thanks/Christmas was held the Saturday after Thanksgiving and was in an earlier post.  Don and I hosted a Christmas dinner and invited mom, dad, Judy, Jim, Dorothy, Darrel and Janet.  We had a fun and relaxing dinner and afternoon even though mom and dad didn't come.  Dad has been recovering from being sick.  I packed up the left-overs and we headed to their house for the Christmas evening.  Judy and Jim joined us there.

Saturday was the annual large extended Showalter gathering at the Kalona Mennonite Church.  Thanks to Darrel and Janet for hosting and arranging that day!

Sunday we were off to brunch at Dave and Cathy's.  Yummy food and time to catch up with Don's four brothers and their families made for a lovely day.

Sunday evening Brent and his family arrived at our house.  Let the family time begin!  Melissa and her family joined us on Tuesday and we all enjoyed several days and nights together.

Special Times With Boys!

Friday, December 5th we took off for Brownsburg to spend the weekend at the Showalter home.  We arrived just after they got home from school and when Cade and Kasen opened the door for us they were surprised as they didn't know we were coming.  Big eyes and lots of smiles from all three boys!  After much playing in the playroom the adults went out to Mo's.  Saturday included more play time and the surprise of Grandpa and Grandma Cherry arriving.  We had a fun afternoon and mixing up sugar and gingerbread cookies and getting them cut out and baked.  Brent and Don went to the Big Ten conference championship game and we relaxed.  Sunday brought more fun - frosting/decorating the cookies and off to the Circus!

A big helper with cookie making

Cade and I worked on the sugar cookies

Kasen and Grandma Cherry made gingerbread cookies

Brent and April prepping supper

Sunday decorating the cookies

What a special time together!

Off to the Ringling Bros Circus

Sunday after the circus Don and I headed home.  Landon and Owen came over to spend the night!  They didn't have school on Monday so they stayed for the day.

Snuggling with papa before bed.

Playing a football game Monday morning.

Owen taught me a new game.  He won!

Thanksgiving Weekend!

Brent, April, Cade, Kasen and Cam arrived Wednesday night about 9:00.  Let the Thanksgiving weekend begin!  Melissa, Scott, Landon and Owen arrived Thursday morning.  Cade and Kasen couldn't wait to see Landon and Owen.  We all spent Thursday and Friday together.  Two nights of sleep-over time with cousins.  Saturday was the Bauer Thanksgiving/Christmas at the West Chester school with 45 relatives.

Thanksgiving Day

Lego building as they wait for the Kahlers to come.

Cade and Landon were in charge of creating the
fruit turkey!

Great job, boys.

We are so blessed!

Cam finding out that he loves pumpkin pie, thanks
to his daddy, Brent.

Owen and Cade playing a game.

The lazy Thanksgiving afternoon

Cade and Melissa playing Blink.

And off to papa's gym to get in some active play!

Kasen, 4 years old

Landon, 8 (almost 9) years old

Owen, 5 years old

Cade, 6 years old

Next year little Cam (15 mo) can join us

Scott and Landon using strategy in the game

Bath time!  So sweet baby Cam

Friday!  Another day to be together.

More Lego time

Owen and Brent playing UNO

Papa brought the boys sports headbands
and wrist bands back from his practice. 

Iowa football time - enjoying the big scene.

Watching the Hawkeyes in comfort.

Cam thought he was pretty funny with
one of the headbands.  

Just too cute!!

Saturday - Bauer Thanksgiving/Christmas

Cam is reading the Sports Illustrated!

And Landon reading about the
Hawkeyes game in the paper.

Kasen and Cade are back with the Legos.

Sisters!  I am blessed with these two.

Dad and Mom!
dad - 87, mom - 84

Landon, Owen and Kasen waiting their turns to open presents.

Brent with Kasen and Cam.  

Cam was introduced to our Bauer traditional
dessert - chocolate ice cream roll.
He signed "more" several times and hummed "mmmm".

Owen and Landon enjoying dessert.

The babies this year
Emery Bauer (Chris & Jody) and Reid Bauer (Matt & Bethany)

Chris Bauer and family

Matt Bauer and family

Chad Showalter and family

Josh Showalter & Katie

Brent Showalter with Kasen and Cam.
April and Cade were sick.  :(

Jonna Junker and family

Jenni Cunningham and family 

Thanks, mom and dad for your legacy in this family.
4 children
11 grandchildren
23 great grandchildren