Happy Birthday John Tobias!

Could it possibly be 33 years since the day you were born?

From a sweet, happy baby to

someone SO BIG!

Oh my, how did it happen that you are all grown up??

Happy Birthday John, we love you!

Mom & Dad

Late Christmas activity

The sippy cups were labeled and made ready... 8 of the 9 grandchildren were soon to arrive...

And arrive they did! Noise and activity was NOT in short supply...

Gifts were opened and pictures taken...

Can you find all 8 in this picture?

I'm not sure they need cars on their feet.... seems to me they moved pretty fast without them..

Dinosaurs were a big hit, especially with Preston and Luke...

and Emme had some serious tummy time watching the others play...

Saturday morning proved to be a tad bit too cold for outdoor play!

AGH.

Next time we're celebrating Christmas in July so we can send the kiddos outside for a while..

What shall we do ALL day long in the house? Well....

One could do a puzzle with grandpa...

or have Daddy read a book...

or have a snack with your cousin...

Maybe build a marble tower..

and try to relax while the children play nicely...

Sean tries out his new barn and animals..

while Brooklyn and Timothy play the game Operation ... be careful, don't set off the buzzer!

And after 3 days of fun, finish up with some of grandma's warm sweet rolls before the long car ride home...

They sure were good...

even if they make your hands sticky...

Being together is lots of fun!

(and lots of noise, running, eating, napping, fussing, laughing and in general great family time..)

The flowergirl and ringbearer walk down the aisle..

New Year's Eve Wedding

Last evening we attended a beautiful wedding - the bride, Danielle, is Meghan's cousin.

She was radiant!

The flower girl and ring bearer did a wonderful job!
Of course, we're the grandparents...

Such a sweet flowergirl.

Grandma and the ringbearer.

He was happy all evening!

The baby was happy most of the evening but at this point she had tired of the picture taking...

Dancing was fun!

Especially when you get to dance with the bride!

And then it was time to toast in the New Year!

Happy 2010!!!

Fine dining, Norwegian style...

Most Norwegians love potatoes - especially when made into kompe (also called by other names, like kumla or klubb) - and so I finally thought it was time for hubby to show me how to make kompe (pronounced kum pa)... mostly we eat it when we are invited to someone else's home... I have never made it myself. So, for those of you dying to know what you are missing... here is a preview. (and for those of us with German or Swedish roots, I would like to note they add onions which, in my opinion, is a big improvement....) Be sure to start the slide show at the beginning...
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Trupemphen?

I have no idea how to spell the Norwegian word but it sounds like "tra phem pin" or something similar.... it is the little song that "bumpa" sings while giving a little child a ride on his leg...

and tonight the rider was this sweet grandson!

Another song.. with actions... he was singing "The wheels on the bus go round and round.."

And Grandma loves playing blocks.. though they don't get to stay up long...

A painting party!

Here is our work place today!

This is the home hubby is building for his brother and sister-in-law.

It's really taking shape...

We had a painting party! Wally and Daniel did the trim work ....

and the rest of us did the rolling.

And, of course, there was the coffee break and we had a nice little lunch break too.

It was a good way to get a big job done... I remember my grandmother saying

"Many hands make light work."

Did your grandma say that too?

A White Christmas...

Ah, Minnesota.... where a white Christmas is almost a given...

You'd almost think I was an outdoors kind of gal... athletic... right...

But the warm temperatures (in the low 30's!) are not usual, so it was a good time to get outside and try out those cross-country skiis!
(the house you see is our wonderful neighbors across the street)

That is our home in the distance.

We took a little ski and said hi to some neighbors who were out clearing their driveways.

A fun Merry Christmas morning to you!

Across the street...

I love the branches laiden with snow.

I have taken so many pictures of snow branches....

Merry Christmas from our home to yours.