Christmas with the Grimmies

I see that there are already pics posted from our Christmas together as a family with Mark, Lorrie and clan here. What a fabulous time we had!

All counted, the Grimms had 6 Christmases this year...it is a touch overwhelming for the kids, but we like to smooth over that reality by calling it "FUN!!".

We celebrated Christmas with Matt's parents the Saturday before Christmas at their cabin. Santa took a break from the weekend-before-Christmas rush to visit us in Iowa! We must have been EXTRA nice this year!

Christmas Pics from York, PA

Hi Everyone!

These are from Sheila:

Christmas at the Bogers

Here's a video of the kids thanking Greatma for her cool Christmas cards. We loved them!




Ted reading to Ethan and Owen. These boys really love their books!



The heart patient with Sally.



Own and Ethan watching The Polar Express with Aunt Toni, who apparently forgot to put her makeup on first!

Christmas 2007

Ma - spoiling Maxie with Christmas treats.Christmas Brunch at the Zerbes.
A happy couple on Christmas Eve.
What a group of gentlemen!

We had some great times on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - it just went by way too fast! It always does. Just look at some pictures of this crew! We've even included a musical video for your enjoyment. - Julie, Al and Maxie

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Merry Christmas to all from the Bogers in Iowa!
Dad is healing pretty well. I think one of the hardest things for him is to know when to take a break and rest. But he sure has been a very good patient so far and done everything he's been instructed to do. He has his first follow-up appointment today.

Lorrie, Mark, and the kids got here from Colorado on Saturday and we've been having lots of fun. The kids have all kinds of questions for Papa, like, "Papa, did they use scissors to fix your heart?" (Madeline), and "Papa, is your heart still sick today?" (Ethan) They are so great. It's hard for them to remember not to run and hug on him. We have to really watch that. (Nice problem to have, I think!).

We have lots of snow here and are going to get more this week. Finally, a white Christmas!

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas.

Love,
Toni

Kelly, Steve, and Chloe

The black & white is Kelly & Chloe during their recent trip to Disneyland. Also the one of Steve & Chloe on the merry-go-round.








These photos were taken when they were in York over Thanksgiving. I went with Kelly to help. It was a madhouse. Kids everywhere. Don't know how these turned out so good. I was very stressed till we left. Chloe had a good time.(From Sheila)

december days

we are really enjoying our december days (the other people in these pictures is Mark's sister and family)...





and our girl...


Audrey Step from vaporlife on Vimeo.

Noels and Zerbes

Aunt Sheila sent these to me today.....
lookin' good, Chris!
Megan, is this your last semester of school coming up?

Miss you guys,
Toni

Boger Thanksgiving

Here we are at Thanksgiving table. From left to right: Andrew, Matt, Nathan, Ted, Carrie, Sally, Madeline. Toni is taking the picture.

We had the usual, nothing new or out of the ordinary this year, except that mom made her pumpkin roll with nuts in it; it was a huge hit! We don't usually mess around with the Thanksgiving menu, so nuts on the pumpkin roll was like walking on the wild side.

Geez, we're boring....







The afternoon activities included crafts and games. Here I (Toni) am helping Madeline with her first sewing lesson (which is a bit ironic in the modern sense since I don't sew!). She made a fairy princess treasure pouch, purple of course, and was very proud of her work.

Carrie and Nathan are working on Sand Art.

Andrew getting ready to tackle his popcorn ball. I don't think he's quite sure how to get started.

Steve, Kelly, and Chloe at Disneyland

Here's some pics from Sheila:

Chloe Noel and Minnie

I don't think Chloe could be ANY cuter!!

What a doll!

Steve and Kelly are in the second row, I think.

Kelly, are you scared of rollercoasters?? : )

giving thanks...

...for a multitude of blessings
...especially these three



Untitled from vaporlife on Vimeo.

Letter from Helen

Here's a letter from Helen to everyone:



Hello again,
Well, I’m back home again and into the same old routine. Laundry, ice, water aerobics, and cards in the evening. Pretty full day. Oh, I fogot—I must deliver the mail also. Big day, eh? For a 90 ¼ year old!

I had a Halloween dinner and made some appropriate sandwiches with faces and witch’s brew with apple cider spiced ice cream. It was very nice. We had a Halloween party at LA, and I went as a stuffed pumpkin with green tights. Also a pair of big glasses that said, “Boo,” and had flashing eyes and I won a first prize.

Next Paula gave me straw hats, so the Chapeaux (that’s what we call ourselves—five of us) each took a hat, and one evening we got together at my house with all our decorations. Each chose a theme—Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, seashore, and candies. One afternoon the choir at LA was giving a sing along. The five of us went in a room, put on our hats, and walked into the concert. We were a big hit. Everyone asked what we were doing and thought it was pretty neat.

Anyway, I’m now in Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving. Rick had a bad experience playing golf. He must have thrown his back out. So much pain. They called the ambulance and took him to the hospital. It took a few days for the medications to work, but he is doing much better now.

Friday. This is the day we go to Paula’s mom’s to decorate for her. Nine of us. My job is to wrap the things we exchange for the Christmas décor. Then we eat pizza.

Margaret and I went shopping all morning on Wednesday and expect to go again.

Out Thanksgiving dinner here was great. Paula always does a good job. Oh, I must include Fred—he is always there to help. We all had our little jobs to do, so all went well.

When I go home I’ll put up my Christmas decorations. I’ll put lights on my porch this year because while I was in Iowa I got two new doors, all glass, which I begged for. Love them. We will be doing lots of Christmasy things. We have a big dinner and everyone dresses up in their finery, plus lots of entertainment.

Well, enough for now. Be back later.

Love you all,
Helen

Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh

Besides the normal activity, Rick had a nasty experience with a back that he must have thrown out while golfing. Ended up flat on the floor Tuesday when he could not remain at the table for dinner. After many denials, I finally imposed my will (ahem!!) and Fred called for an ambulance. It was all they could do to get him on the gurney on the floor and then raise it. The pain must have been excruciating. After a shot and xrays there and many meds, he is finally able to move about.



Paula is in the red cape. Fred is standing by the tree.

Party Animals

Hi everybody!
This is gonna be so much fun keeping in touch with everyone.

Here I am with Nathan Scott Grimm (age 5). We dressed up as "cows" for our Wed. night church party with the kids. I look rather dubious because no woman should ever dress up as a cow. But, that is all I had access to and Nathan loved it.

Hi from Virginia!

This is a great idea! We are so spread out and what an easy way to keep in touch and share our life's happenings! Now, if I learn how to do this....Al and I just returned from a short adventure to Nags Head, NC where we were able to spend some time with friends. Couldn't believe the weather was in the low 70s in the middle of November! It was great. This picture was taken at Pea Island, a wildlife refuge along the Outer Banks. Do you believe the mosquitoes were still out and in full force? Al's work schedule is picking up with the holiday season in full swing. Guess everyone needs their snack crackers this time of year! The kids at school are keeping me moving and always surprising me with new things. Of course, Maxie keeps us on a regular schedule with walks in the early morning and "rough housing" in the evenings! Can we count that as exercise?

Julie, Al and Maxie

Love this idea...hope it means I know more about all of you that I am related to and you know more about us.

loving life it in the west

Mark's blog: timegiven.blogspot.com
Lorrie's blog: closertotheclouds.blogspot.com

WELCOME!

Welcome to the Bowman & Co. Blog! Thanks for your willingness to participate. I hope we can use this blog as a tool to get to know each other better and strengthen our family relationships. I was reminded recently that we only get one family, and I am at a place in my life where that means more to me than it ever has before. I look forward to knowing more about all of you, and hopefully knowing you better.

If you have trouble posting or need some help, please email me at toniteach@hotmail.com. I want to make this as easy as possible for you.

Let the blogging begin!!

~Toni