Life as a Leach

I'm not sure why we thought it would be a piece of cake to get a picture of a large extended family group with 11 kids in it, but we tried!  Little did I know that my own immature  silly husband would be the biggest problem because of his antics during the photo session!!  (Those pictures were quickly deleted!) This picture represents my grandmother's family:  our matriarch (Helen), her three kids and their spouses (Judy and Ben, Tom and Rosemary, and Dotty and Darryl), five grandchildren and their spouses (Mary Susan and Chris, T and Karen, Ben and Mary, Amy and Bruce, and Matt and me), and 11 1/2 great grandchildren (Owen, Clara, Andrew, Sara, Caleb, Jacob, Hannah, Anna, Abby, Lily, Lucy, and soon-to-be-born baby Thomas!)  Shew...I think I got everyone! The great-grandkids, ages 1-10 While this photo shoot wasn't the easiest, I'm grateful for my close-knit family and the sweetness of our time together a few days before Christmas.  My kids ...

Happy New Year, from the Leach family! (well, almost Wordless Wednesday!)

I'm sorry for the delay in Christmas posts!  We were obviously busy Christmas day, and then we left early the day after Christmas to spend a few days with Matt's family in North Carolina.  We got back late Saturday night to a huge mess of luggage, Christmas presents, and laundry, which we slowly waded through over the last few days. I've got lots of pictures to show you, but I'm going to do it in a few different posts.  For now, here's Christmas morning! In case you didn't know, Christmas was a little different this year.  The kids are getting an amazing Ewok-style treehouse.  It has a hatch and a door that leads to a walkway and patio.  While it's not quite done yet (it was supposed to be done in time for Christmas, so we are hoping that it will be completed very soon!), the kids are very excited and have already played in it a bit.  We're waiting on shingles, the siding, and the walkway railing to be done, along with a few other details.  It...

I made the mistake of leaving my camera at my sister's house.  This is part of what I found once I got it back!

I made the mistake of leaving my camera at my sister's house.  This is part of what I found once I got it back! I feel the need to give a little disclaimer that I did not take this pictures and do not condone the photography.  If you don't like it, talk to Bruce! :)

The preschool where Abby and Anna go had an adorable little Christmas program.  The kids sang a few songs, played their bells, and enjoyed some treats! Of course, Abby and Anna were side by side.  Double trouble! The both kept talking to Lucy in the audience. Proof that Abby sang.  :) Anna started trying to think of ways she could get into trouble... ...and decided to just take a step off of the stage.  Abby was quick to say, "Ah, ah, ah!  No, no, no!" and attempt to pull her back to her spot. The pastor shared a little story with the kids.  He started talking about presents, and Abby jumped up and gasped, "I have presents TOO!" complete with dramatic hand motions.  It was pretty cute! Making smiley faces at Lucy Her hot date, apparently.   I loved every minute!

Calebism:  (while praying before bed) "And please help there to not be a storm while I'm taking a shower so that I don't get struck by lightning."  (I have no idea where this came from.) Abbyism:  (after calling for me when she should have been taking a nap):  "I'm too busy."    Me:  "Too busy for what?"    Abby:  "I'm just too busy to take a nap today, Momma."