Visit from Grandpa Ben and Grandma Barb

All three kids are napping right now, all over the house since we are having work done in our room today. The kids' rooms are painted and put back together, and our room is dismantled (literally) they took the mantle off the wall yesterday and are replacing it with a bookshelf. More pictures later. I am playing catch up with my blog since our plan is to get it printed into a book after the New Year. Which is in 2 days. Oh well. 

Earlier this month we were so happy to host Andrew's parents for the week of the 10-17th. The kids always love the company and we can't complain either. Visits are so special when you live this far away. Andrew's dad changed around the grapevine so we can now see more of the yard and directed it to eventually grow down the fence. More vine..more grapes!! Barb spent hours baking in the kitchen with the kids, which they absolutely loved. Even John got a chance to help frost Christmas cookies. We made 3 batches of grape jelly from our very own backyard juice (so yummy!). We also did a few Christmas things early so the kids could share the time with their Grandparents. They got their train table and their presents from Ben and Barb, which were all a hit. We did our family pictures for the church directory while they were here, which went 100% better than a few years ago. Home cooked spreads, a break from doing the dishes after every meal, a few outings by myself, and just time around other adults is always a welcomed treat when the Grandparents come. Good memories with the kids is a great plus as well. 

Opening their Little People Nativity Set.

We took a fast trip to State College to get ice cream at Berkey Creamery. Since it was so cold and windy, that's about all we did there, but it sure was tasty!!

A quick visit from the Mildrens during that week of interviews. It's always so nice to see familiar faces.

We got to celebrate Grandma's birthday while she was here. 

Ella's face tells it all when it comes to her "Princerella" shirt.

John is still learning about reactions to presents and even how to open them :).

And this little man was ecstatic about his Thomas jams.

All dressed up for family pictures so we just had to get some more!

Thank you Ben and Barb for coming to see us!