The cool shirts I made with the iron -ons that Uncle Paul gave us for Christmas.  Thanks Uncle Paul.

 I thought I had the board perfect BUT then I forgot to add Grandpa's list of things to do since he helped me when Greg was out of town.  Thanks Dad for your help.

                  Rachel and Grant enjoying their International Food at Rachel's potluck at school.

                       Rylee and Rachel doing an AWESOME job at their school performance.

                     Rachel and Grant hanging out at the U of I Rec Center for a night swim.

                         Grant playing his second basketball game.  He made his first basket on Saturday.

                 Rachel feeding Albert some cheese.  Albert's birthday is Thursday so if you want to mail him a card you better get in the mail soon.

    Rachel working on her Europe report on Denmark.  We will have to skype soon Mie - Rachel has some questions for you. 

                  Brynn, Kathleen and Rachel hanging out during production practice on Sunday.

                 We had supper at Monica's for Abbie's birthday with Oma and Pop.

2 weeks of photos ending 1-21-12

                        Grant working on my new chalk board that Greg painted for me.

                           The schedule for the kids to see what is going on.

                     Grant got his first pirate lego completed he got for Christmas.  Pretty cool.

                        We did some sledding at Hunters Run Park with the kids.

                                   Greg and Rachel working on a banner for Abbie's birthday.

              Day off from school means breakfast at Village Inn.

              Here is the cell phone cake I made for Abbie for her birthday.  She even got a text message from Justin Bieber too.

                                               Happy 13th Birthday Abbie!!!

                                             OH YES - More Justin Bieber stuff.

                                                    No words need to be said for this picture.

                              Flapping Pages book club meet this week.

 Abbie had her birthday party this weekend.  The plan was to get hair and make-up done and then go to the Jr High dance.  We got out of school early so no dance we still did everything.  Here are the girls BEFORE hair got done.

                        AFTER they got their hair curled.

                  Abbie with her friend Abbie jumping up and down to see their curls bounce.

                        Time for an ice cream treat at Coldstone.

 While I was wiping the van clear from all of the snow they decided to have Abbie open her presents in the van.

                                The girls hanging out at Target and showing off some fun hats.

 Then it was time for make-up at Younkers - Here they are BEFORE make-up.

                 Here they are AFTER with the folks that did their make-up for them.  They each got a new lip gloss to wear and I am sure they will need more make-up stuff now. 

The look of 5 Jr High Girls after the time of their lives at a friends bday party at the mall.  I LOVE this picture - they all look so happy.

           The "PACKAGE" finally made it on Tuesdsay.  It was the talk ALL DAY long.  Rachel and Grant were so excited it FINALLY came.  YIPPEE!!!!

                     Jacob's fan club at the West High Swim Meet.

                                 Jacob about ready to dive in for his race.

              Rachel and Grant enjoying our new karoke machine we got from Uncle Paul for Christmas.  Thanks Uncle Paul it is pretty cool and lights up too. 

                     Rachel and I wearing our matching owl aprons and doing some cooking.  OH YES - hairnet on too.

                     Grant was Expert of the Week in his class.  He was an expert on Football.

                    We had our annual Girl Scout meeting.  The girls put up the 2 tents behind them as our activity for Ready, Set, Lets Go Camping.

         Here we all are ready to have the balloons go up to Deb and Dale in heaven for their birthdays.

 YES - we did on the street at night.  The coolest thing was that it was a Lunar Halo around the moon.  The kids thought it looked like a portal to heaven so old Mom and Dad could get their balloons faster.  Happy Birthday Deb and Dale.

                    Rachel and her friend Keira had some cooking with me on Saturday afternoon.

                                      Here are the girls hanging out in Rachel's tent playing.

  I think Grant would be a great music director for St. Mary's.  He wanted to try it out this morning

Stan and Abbie celebrated their birthdays this weekend.  Abbie got a beautiful cake while Stan just got a big ol' plate of steak bones.

YES - Abbie got more Justin Bieber clothes for her birthday.

Greg working on my chalk wall this weekend.  I can't wait to use it.  Thanks Greg - I LOVE IT!!!

Other things that happened between Christmas Parties

                    Grant got to hang out with his friend Jace and here they are showing off each of their favorite pro football teams.  Jace likes the Cowboys and Grant likes his Raiders if you haven't figured that out yet.

               We finally got meet little Ms. Mahri this week.  Here is Rachel having some bonding time with her.

                                   Abbie hanging out with Mahri too.

         Here are the proud parents of that beautiful little girl - Omar, Ami and Mahri. Thanks so much for stopping by while you were home.  It was great seeing all of you.  Saft travels back to Boston.

Recker Christmas/New Years Eve

                For some reason Grandma's wheelchair was so much fun this year. 

                                         Eric playing monopoly with the kids.

                                                      Time to open up presents.

Mother Bear got her favorite gift EVER - Jumanji.  She was so excited - you can see the joy in her eyes.

                      Everyone playing the board game LOGO.  Bob and I won only because we got the EASY questions.

           We went to the church to watch Verni usher.  Had to take a picture of the kids by the altar with all of the beautiful Christmas decorations.

                                 All of the grandkids with Mom and Dad.

                                              Watching Dick Clark's Rock'n Eve.

                                   Everyone with their party attire on and ready for the ball to drop.

                                                             Happy New Year!!! 

                            Vernie decided to help out with the mess and rake up the confetti.  Way to go Dad.