Preparing for parties and a little reading time too

Well, the grandkids and Matt and Laura have migrated north now and all is quiet in our house. It was great while it lasted. We had a ton of fun. Part of the fun was getting ready to host a family get together.  

As a part of preparations for the party, I organized an early morning work party for outside chores.  Willing helpers were everywhere.  

Bucket carriers, weed pullers, choppers of weeds, and you name it, we had it. Luke talked about as much as he worked, but he talks a lot so you know he worked a lot too. John Paul was more into chopping of things.  

The leaf blower was a hit. Julianna had her own ear plugs saved from the packet she got on the flight across the Pacific so she took charge of leaf blowing.

Isaac liked the lawn mower, and mowed a good bit, but the mower and the dead man cut off would get him stuck on occasion. 

That was when big sister Lydia came to the rescue.  She was so proud to have mastered starting the mower. And not so easy to do on this not so new mower.  

In addition to working we celebrated John Paul's gotcha day and Lydia's early birthday. Wish I had a photo of John Paul, and his first gift - a jar of molasses. John Paul, as do the other kids, likes molasses mixed with butter on biscuits.

Grandmama can flat out figure out a good present. The hit gift of the day. Everyone's current new favorite game — Nop-ly as Luke calls it.

After a work morning we had, or rather a subset of us, had some serious cooking and food preparing for a big time dinner later in the day.

Eric and Barb came early and Big Uncle Eric was swarmed with kids explaining how monopoly was played.

Well of course we played, and played, and then guests came and this game broke up and two more games started. Involving just the kids that were here.  

Unfortunately I do not have photos of the party - and we had big time attendance too. Lots of good food and good times.

I do have a photo of Patt reading to a majority of the kids. We, and they enjoy, the reading out loud a lot.

And on another day, Patt took a picture of me in the same spot reading - perhaps even the same book.  

We look forward to having even more grandchildren here for Christmas. Hot diggity dog.