Fa la la la la

Let's celebrate!!

Today is called "little Christmas eve" in some countries (as in Norway..."lillejulaften")

and we had a little Christmas celebration this morning as two of our sons enjoyed breakfast and a little gift exchange before continuing their travels to the home of their wives families.

(Our home is a mid-way point and perfect for a "bed and breakfast" stop..)

We started out with breakfast together; missing Adam and Andrea and the children, though..

Following breakfast we exchanged a few gifts!
Always fun with children around!


5 of the 9...

Little sweetheart's first Christmas - she received a darling homemade doll made especially for her by Auntie Sara!

And the two little blondies took some time to play blocks...

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We look forward to more of the same the week after Christmas with the A's!

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Have a very Merry Christmas!

Shenanigans at Snow Village...

I need to keep a closer eye on things...

I don't think this is the way Brooklyn and I set up Snow Village...

Seems as though some son decided to make some additions...

Hmm... up on the roof top, Old St. Nick? I don't think so...

Motorcycle patrolling the skiing...
and a chilly hayride...

Good defense..

Hm...

Fits right in, don't you think?

I'm not so sure the reindeers and sleigh will stop here..

I sure wouldn't, would you?

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Oh Daniel. You are soo funny...

Birthday party afternoon

Who's the birthday boy? I am, he says...

This afternoon we gathered at the home of a special 2 year old to celebrate!

What fun to see a 2 year old realize the party is for them!

With a little help from his siblings the candles were blown out - and the smoke floating upward provided some interesting lines..

The house is pretty cozy and was quite manageable for the family group.

Pizza and fresh veggies & dip proceeded the cake.

Can I help, daddy?

Oh fun! Presents!

And this 2 year old even shared with his brother when he opened his package that, happily, had two vehicles!

Grammy & Gramps from Moorhead brought a great present and grammy pitched the tent right away so they could "go camping" - it even included a flashlight, a compass and a sleeping bag!

String Band Christmas party!

Christmas and music go hand in hand. In fact, I start listening to Christmas music early in November! I just love it, don't you?

This evening we enjoyed a great time of music and singing in our home. Quite a few brought their stringed instruments; guitars and autoharps mostly.

We had a great time together singing Christmas carols and some of the good 'ol gospel songs!

What fun!

It was nice to have someone proficient on the piano as well!

Thanks, Bonnie!

And my sweet little granddaughter played a Christmas song for us too.
I was so impressed that she was willing to play for all these grown-ups!

The youngest grandchild seemed oblivious to the festivities, however.

We enjoyed some good food and visiting as well.

The children seemed to really enjoy listening to the music and watching folks play their instruments. They climbed up on their great Aunt and great Uncle's laps to watch the happenings.

And, of course, there were tasty treats.

A good time was had by all.

Happy 2nd birthday!

This little blondie is two years old today!!

He is full of spunk...

and we love him to pieces!!

Happy Birthday!

Grandma day

Today was Grandma day with Preston. He was pretty happy to be the only child today for Grandma and Grandpa. We had a good day planned! After a little play time, we had lunch and then it was time to decorate a gingerbread house together.

He could look at the picture for ideas or decorate the house anyway he wanted.

He let me do quite a bit as well, much different from when I did this with his older sister when she was his age. She wanted to do it all her way. I think that's a female thing.

Since I really didn't want P to eat the candy that came in this kit (not knowing the food-worthy nature of this candy), I succumbed to giving him his own little bowl of m&m's that he could eat. Even so, I think he would lick the candy before sticking it on the house...

When that job was done he settled down to watch a Dora DVD - and he had two shark puppets- one on each hand- and his sippy cup. I thought this was a riot. He also loved to play with the wooden moose, which was merely a household decoration. But he loved it too.

We managed to make some spritz, though I hate to admit it but my old spritz maker has ended its long life - and I am so unhappy about that! This was all I could manage and then I had to face the fact that my spritz maker (it had been my mom's first and is held together with duct tape) is no longer "spritz worthy."

At any rate, P was happy with these 18 cookies.

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The rest of the family joined us for supper and P got to serve his cookies for dessert. He got to put them on the tray and "present" them.

Grandpa gets first pick.

And here's one for the little brother.

Speaking of little brother (who's not so little, actually), I captured this cute picture of him reading the book "There's a mouse in the house" and putting the mouse in the slots on the page.

It was so cute to watch.

Little sister just turned two months two days ago.

What a honey.

And big sister enjoys some tummy time with her little sister.

They're both so cute.

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Don't you just love children?

Cardinals for dinner?

Mr. Cardinal stopped by for his meal.

I wonder if he realizes how much I like cardinals?

While he was eating outside, I was getting ready inside for company.

I love company and I especially enjoy the Christmas season,
candles lit,
fire in the fireplace,
dark and cold outside and warm and cozy inside..
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but most of all,
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good friends.