My Chance to be Santa's Helper

Well over a month ago I received a text from Nicolas with instructions as to what he wanted me to purchased for Ashelyn for Christmas. I was extremely impressed that Nicolas knew what to buy, where to buy it, and how much the item would cost (he even transferred money into my account to pay for it).

It was my idea to enlist the help of the Jolly Ole Man himself at the family Christmas party.  Santa appeared with a bag full of toys for the children, a camouflaged gift from Kuwait for Ashelyn, and as an encore, he even presented the adults with a gift. 

Hop onto Ashelyn's blog to see what was in the box.

My Son Rocks!

As I look at this photograph of my son receiving a 

promotion to Specialist Nicolas Downs in 

the United States Army, I am proud!

I vividly remember in the not so distant past, the 

adventures of a little boy playing make believe soldiers in the 

backyard and now to see this same grown man, in real Army garb

representing our country overseas....Nicolas, your 

Mother is so stinking proud of you today

Christmas Joy

I absolutely love the look on Ashelyn's face as she holds my grandaughter Addalyn. What the photo does not say is Ashelyn was at my house just a few hours earlier as I continually woke the baby up to play with her.....why did Ashelyn let me get away with that? Ashelyn was on the kitchen creating one of her famous cookie creations, by the time the two of them left my house smelt wonderful and both girls were at their wits end.
The girls ran home, Ashelyn bundled up the baby and the two of them headed to the Christmas tree lot to pick out the perfect tree for the Braun home. How is she (Ashelyn) still smiling after so much commotion, I will never know.