The title says it all! My last post was back in November and it was about Halloween! A lot has happened with the Casterline family in the past 5 months. Let me begin by highlighting some events month by month starting with December.
On big event in December was Jennifer's graduation from nursing school. On December 15th she received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) from Indiana University (via IUPUI). All four of us were thrilled for this day! I (Jennifer) could not have survived nursing school without the support, encouragement, and care Andrew gave to our family during the past year and a half. The time was full of ups and downs, but in the end we all survived with only a few bumps and bruises. :-)
This picture makes me laugh. It is not a typical family picture that one would post, but for those of you that are parents you completely understand! The graduation ceremony had ended and Grace was in no mood for a family picture....even if it was an IMPORTANT and SPECIAL day for mommy.
This is take two of a family picture minus Grace. We decided that she didn't have to be in it. I later learned that she was SO upset because of the site we choose to take pictures. It is not where she thought they should be taken. Ahhh....makes so much sense. If only I had known then. I must say the best part of the day was walking across the stage and hearing my sweet Kaitlyn saying "mommeee, mommeee" and seeing Grace wave excitedly at me! What a great experience!
Onto the next fun event in December....The week before Christmas Grace, Kaitlyn and I all went to Christmas at the Zoo with a couple of my classmates. Below are a few pictures of our fun night!
Look at those super cute penguins!
Grace tasting the sugar cookie she decorated in Mrs. Claus' bakery. It was the perfect ending to an evening spent watching an elephant paint, giggling and pointing as dolphins jumped through hoops, and taking in all of the Christmas lights and decorations throughout the park.
I managed to get the girls to slow down for a pose by the Christmas Tree with mommy! Thanks girls! This will have to become a Casterline Familiy tradition. Daddy will have to come along next year.
Finally onto....Christmas! We were able to spend the holiday with my family this year. Christmas Eve was extra special because we celebrated "Papa Bob's" 80th birthday. My aunt Martha made cherry pies (grandpa's favorite) which we all ate while watching a video the family had prepared for my grandpa. Several family members and friends all told grandpa how much he meant to them and /or shared a Bob story. My grandpa also opened around 30 birthday cards from family and friends. He was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the evening.
Grace and Kaitlyn had a fun time this year celebrating Jesus' birth and opening Christmas presents from Santa! Below are a few pictures of our Christmas with family.
Grace and Kaitlyn are all cuddled in bed super excited to see what Santa was going to bring them the next morning. Normally Kaitlyn would be sleeping in her own bed, but not that night. She insisted sleeping with her sister.
Before going to bed, Grace and Kaitlyn set out few of the cookies they decorated earlier that day for Santa with a glass of milk. The next morning the girls woke up to find that most of the cookies had been eaten and the milk was all gone. Santa left a sweet note for the girls to read before opening their gifts. Later that day, we lit a candle on a cupcake and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.
Kaitlyn LOVED opening presents. I think she had more fun unwrapping the gifts then actually playing with them. Here she is smiling for the camera with one of her gifts.
