It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Last year, we bought a smaller (skinnier) pre-lit tree that took Kenny about 15 minutes to put together instead of over an hour for our old one.  I loved how big and full the old tree was but sorting and putting together tons of branches wasn't much fun.  Growing up, we always had a live tree and I loved the smell of pine every time you walked into the living room.  We like the convenience of the artificial trees and I bought some Christmas Tree scented candles.  It's not really the same, but with a crazy cat who eats any plant I've brought in the house, we'll stick with the artificial tree.  She still sometimes munches on that too!   

This year, Jenna and Rachel had fun helping us decorate the tree.  Only one ornament got broken in the process!!  They liked looking at all the boxes and see what ornament was inside.  Some of my favorites are ones that play music or light-up.  Rachel loves dancing to one of the musical ornaments.  Yesterday, I bought them their own little Christmas tree and they both picked out their own boxes of little ornaments.  They were perfect and easy for them to put on the tree.  

We've been talking about birthdays and Jenna and Rachel know they turn 3 "in December", "after Christmas."  I've been sorting and organizing pictures from the last year and they definitely now look like little girls and have lost their baby features.  Sometimes I get sad thinking about how fast time has gone.  These girls are almost completely potty trained.  They wear undies all day except for nap and bedtime.  They've just started sleeping in toddler beds.  I guess I'm lucky they were in cribs for so long! They are such good talkers and make us smile every day with the funny things they say.  That would be a completely other blog post.  

My Grandma Teeple

On October 27, I got a call from my mom saying that everyone was heading to Rochester General to be with Grandma.  Not many details were known but it sounded serious.  I called Sandra and through tears, I told her what mom had said and she decided to go to the hospital too.  It turns out Grandma had had a seizure and continued to have seizures.  She had stabilized enough that Sandra was able to talk with her on Monday and Tuesday.  She said her conversation on Tuesday revolved around her upcoming trip to VA, Jenna and Rachel, Halloween, among other things.  She said Grandma looked like herself with her glasses on, hair curled up, and her "teeth in".  What a special memory for her to have.  She became worse again after that day and my dad said she was put on medication to help her feel comfortable. 

On Saturday, November 2, I got a phone call from mom saying that Grandma had passed away.  She was in hospice care, so I believe she was able to go peacefully.  Sandra and Steve were here and we all cried together.   We shared memories of Grandma and all the wonderful things she meant to us.  They left the following Monday but we made quick plans to come up to NY for the services.  

Even though I live in Virginia, I've felt close to my Grandma through our letters and our visits. This past summer, we visited just before her 90th birthday.  I was excited for her but she said it was bittersweet.  She talked about how sad she has been since her twin sister Elma had died on their 88th birthday.  She said it was like a piece of her was missing.  So although she was happy for this upcoming milestone, she knew the day would come soon where she could be reunited with her sister. 

 I was saddened to see that I don't have any good pictures of Grandma with Jenna and Rachel.  Every time we would visit, we were having so much fun talking and watching the girls play, there was never a moment to take out the camera.  They have 2 special handkerchiefs of Grandma's that were sent in little purses for their 2nd birthday.  One has roses (that's Rachel's) and the other has Poinsettias (Jenna's).  They call them their tiny blankets.  As they get older, I will be able to share stories about their special Great-Grandma.  

We got to NY on Friday and I attended the graveside service. We huddled under a tent as the bitter wind blew from Lake Ontario.  Sandra and I decided we needed to have better tissues for the service the next day.  The only thing we had were Subway napkins I had found in my pocket.  
The service was at Grandma's church on Saturday where she was an active member for many years.  It was packed.  My aunt had asked if we would like to share anything about Grandma.  Two of my cousins shared first and touched on all the wonderful things we would remember about Grandma, from her Pacquin's hand cream (the secret to extra-soft hands) to delicious pies, to her kind listening ear, and wonderful hugs.  Sandra and I shared next.  Unfortunately Jenna didn't like that I left her in the pew and started to cry and then scream.  I was embarrassed especially since the service was being recorded.  My cousin mentioned to me afterwards "Remember, Grandma always loved the sound of children in church."  Yes she did.  Maybe not screaming, but I felt better.  

Here's what I shared during the service: 

"During the past week when I've been talking about grandma or reading memories about her, the word often used to describe her is sweet. Sweet for her love for her family, sweet for her hugs, sweet for her wonderful pies, sweet for her singing. My memories of my grandma are sweet.  Living in VA we often corresponded with letters and I would look forward to these, with her beautiful swirling cursive on the front. She was interested in my life and I loved reading about what she was doing. I felt even more connected living 8 hours away. 

One if my favorite memories involve my summertime visits. Being a teacher, I had the summers off and would,come to NY for over a week to see friends and family. I always made time to stay a few days at grandma and grandpas house. We would talk, play games, visit people, and get to know,each other better. In the summer of 2010, I came to visit when I was pregnant, only 8 or 9 weeks so I hadn't told many people yet. Grandma was so excited to find out I was expecting twins, she told everyone we saw... "This is my granddaughter Sheila. She's pregnant with twins!"  I loved her excitement and this special "twin mommy" bond we had. 

I could tell about so many fond memories I have of Grandma Teeple. She was an amazing, sweet woman who took interest in the lives of those around her. She will be greatly missed."

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2009: Me, Aunt Mary, Great-Aunt Kitty, Grandma and Grandpa

Christmas 2009.  What a beautiful smile

November 2010: Grandma and her twin sister, Great-Aunt Elma at my baby shower. 

October 2012: Can you see her big smile in the background? 

October Recap: Mostly pictures!

October
We had family photos taken in the beginning of October.  I had planned outfits for chilly weather, but it was almost 80 degrees by 10:30am.  We were warm but they turned out beautifully.  Now I have to choose which ones to put on my Christmas cards.  During the 2nd weekend, we took a trip to Charlotte to visit Anne' and Papa, Justin and Jacob.  It was warm and beautiful, while it was rainy all weekend in Waynesboro.  It was nice visit and the girls did so well in the car.  
Sandra and Steve came to visit on Halloween and went Trick-or-Treating with us.  It was another warm night so the girls didn't wear the fleece bottoms to their costume, just cotton leggings!  A few days before we went to Staunton's Halloween festivities downtown and it was SO cold.  I was thankful for the warm costumes then.  While they were here, we went bowling.  I had never been to the bowling alley in Waynesboro but it was fun for all of us.  I think Jenna and Rachel were most impressed with the little hand dryer and the ball return.  We were all thankful to have the bumpers.  I think I had my highest scoring game ever!  

Pumpkin picking

 Our Visit to Charlotte: 

We made Halloween Crowns: 

Sandra and Steven's visit/Halloween: 

My Jenna Flower

My Rachel Bumble Bee

Playing with the new Doc McStuffins house

Where did the time go?

I've been reading other blogs and thinking that I really should keep up with this one. How do two months go by without me adding anything!  I love reading back on my old posts and seeing the old photos so I'm going to summarize our last 8 weeks (with photos of course).  

August
At the end of August my mom flew down to spend some time with us.  Dad and Kevin came a few days late and Adam came too.  They were all here to celebrate my birthday on the 23rd.  We had a great time with Mom.  We finally went to the Children's Museum in Harrisonburg and the girls still talk about the Ambulance they could drive there.  It's a tradition to go to the Green Valley book fair and of course we left with lots of books.  We went to parks and had a picnic.  For my birthday, we went out to lunch.  I asked the girls where we should go and Jenna said "the throw peanuts in the floor restaurant."  So we went to Texas Roadhouse where the highlight was throwing the peanut shells on the floor.  It was a fun visit and we were so sad to see them go, thinking that we wouldn't see them again until December.  

Jenna driving the Ambulance

Rachel milking a cow at the Children's Museum

At the park with Grandma

Birthday lunch with the family

"Bye bye, Grandma and Grandpa!" 

September
There were no travels or people visiting in September but the month was filled with play dates, story times, lots of playing outside and POTTY TRAINING!  I decided to try the "just undies" method and after one accident, Jenna did well and has only had small ones here and there.  Sometimes she just waits too long to get there.  Rachel has had some difficulty and can go several days without an accident and then have two in a day.  They both like to be in control and don't like me telling them to go.  Sticker charts and M&Ms really worked and now they're pretty much day trained.  They still wear a pull-up for nap and diaper for bed.  Now if we can only get them to go #2 in the potty (both wait for a diaper!).  

Painted faces from the church picnic

Yum!  "Classy Chocolate Pound Cake." 

Silly Jenna

Sponge painting

New Swing Set

I had originally ordered a swing set in June hoping it would be here by July.  One package didn't show up to the store so we brought home just "Box 1" and waited for the shipment of the second box.  4 weeks later, "Box 2" came to our house damaged.  After lots of hassle and lots of talking with people over the phone, we finally got the first box picked up from our garage.

"Box 2" from the first swing set.  

Through all of this, I decided to do more online research and we chose a different swing set from Sams Club.  It came on the day promised and in good condition.  Kenny and I spent 2 days sorting out pieces and starting to put it together.  A friend came to help with the big part of it.  They were able to get it all put together and the girls were playing on it, 4 days after it was delivered.

Our garage filled with all the pieces! 

The weather has been unseasonably cool and wet and often overcast but this has been perfect weather for playing outside.  The girls LOVE their new swing set and ask to go outside several times a day.  It's been fun watching them show more confidence in climbing the rock wall and getting on the glider by themselves.

 During the past few days they've really been using their imaginations with the playhouse and the upper deck. They've been playing school, taking orders at a restaurant, having parties, taking naps, and just playing together.  Kenny and I have loved sitting on the patio and just listening to them talking with each other.

Snacks with friends. (Yes it's August in VA and they're wearing jackets)

Although this was one of the biggest purchases we've made in a while, it was definitely worth it!

Summertime Scrapbook Part 2

One of Kenny's sisters was getting married so we planned a trip to NY for the wedding and to visit family.  It was a fantastic trip.  The girls did really well in the car and had fun everywhere we went.  

On Monday, we saw Sandra and Steve.  We had dinner and ice cream and then went up to the lake.  It was a gorgeous evening.  

Jenna, Steve, Rachel, Kenny

We visited my Grandma and Grandpa and I wish I had taken more pictures.  I love this one because Jenna and Rachel are playing with toys that I remember playing with almost 30 years ago.  They loved the Little People and the tractors.  We even got to go swimming at my aunt and uncle's pool.  

 We visited Katie and Tim's house and the girls loved playing with their cousin.  We went swimming in the big pool in the morning but after naps, they all got in the little pool...me too, see my feet? 

Jenna and Rachel were flower girls in Amy and Dave's wedding.  They loved their "wedding dresses" and did exactly what they were supposed to do.  

Walking down the aisle

"Mr. and Mrs. Dave Lotta!"

I love this picture!  Jenna and Rachel were told they'd get M&Ms if they smiled!

The Goodberry Family

Cute cousins

Cutting the cake

Happy!!

It was so wonderful to be able to see our family.   We'll plan another trip for the fall.

Sleepy Jenna

Sleeping Rachel