My Christmas Present

I guess I must have been good all year cause Santa brought me a new camera for Christmas. I was so excited when I unwrapped it Christmas morning. It was the very last thing I expected since we had decided the new TV was our gift. Sadly my trusted Canon S1 is dying (well the pixels anyway.) So Santa replaced it with this sport new camera.

We had been discussing eventually replacing the S1 but I had not quite decided if I wanted a D-slr or just a plain Digital camera. A time or two a guess I must have looked at this one. I love it. I have had so much fun with it over the past 2 weeks. It really does take great pictures.

One other gift Santa brought me was this Father/Daughter figurine from Willow tree. Now whenever I see it I can think about all the great things my dad and I did together and how he really was my best friend.

I hope Santa was good to all of you as well.

So this is Christmas.....

I took so many pictures Christmas day I decided to make a slide show of the ones that best represent the fun we had that day. Brian and Kollette spent the night with their kids and surprisingly enough Santa did show up at Grandmas. Soon we all gathered for the traditional ham and egg breakfast and the unwrapping of presents. It was happy choas that insued that morning.

Some Christmas Eve Fun

When I 1st got to my mom's on Christmas eve afternoon she was working on this puzzle so the two of us sat and chatted and worked on the puzzle. As the others arrived they too worked on the puzzle and sat and chatted. It reminded me of Christmas Eves long past. The only way we could open a present on Christmas was if we finished a puzzle. In the beginning the puzzles were smaller but as we grew up they got bigger and more difficuly but we always managed to get them done right in time.

After going to the cemetery it was time for food. Traditional Christmas eve dinner is, Ham, salads, rolls, potato chips and lot of laughter.

Friends are very important part of all this. Our closest family friend came to join us.

Some time during the early part of the evening Santa made a visit and left presents for all that were present and even one that was not.

Santa is a firm believer that everyone, no matter their age, needs at least one toy for Christmas



Santa even left a new baby doll for Wilda

Sweet slumber, for the little babe as tomorrow is Christmas

Time for Christmas PJ's

Even mom got some new ones

and to all a good night. Next stop Christmas Day! I can hardly wait

A New Years Wish for Family and Friends

I wish you Health...So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Love of friends and family...And Peace within your heart.

I wish you the Beauty of nature...That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities...For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you Generousity so you may share...All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy...And Blessings for the New Year.

I wish you the best of everything...That you so well deserve.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Christmas in Heaven

On Christmas Eve we walked over to the Cemetery to put candles on my Dad's headstone. Some of the kids an I had made Luminaries. We sang a few Christmas Carols and shed a few tears before leaving. It was really cold and the snow/wind was really bad. Still it was a nice way to remember and pay tribute to my Dad at Christmas. I really miss him as I am sure the rest of the family does as well. He was a wonderful man. I love you Dad, Merry Christmas in heaven.

I see the countless Christmas trees, around the world below, With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow.

This sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear, For I am spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs, that people hold so dear, But the sound of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring, For it’s beyond description to hear an angel sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart, But I am not so far away, we are really not apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear, And be glad I’m spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.

I send you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above, I send you each a memory, of my undying love.

For after all “Love” is the gift, more precious than pure gold, It was always most important, in the stories Jesus told.

So please love and help each other, as my Father said to do, For I cannot count the blessings, or the love He has for you.

So have a Merry Christmas, and wipe away that tear, For I am spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.

I can’t tell you of the splendor, or the peace here in this place, Can you imagine Christmas, with our Savior, face to face?

I’ll ask Him to lift your spirit, as I tell Him of your love, So then pray for one another, as you lift your eyes above.

So please let your hearts be joyful, and let your spirits sing, For I am spending Christmas in heaven, and I’m walking with the King!

Author Unknown

It's Gingerbread time!

I started this tradition with the kids a few years back. I can't recall exactly which year but it's been a few. It started with just the two girls but as Eryk got older I started to include him. Every year during our after Thanksgiving shopping trip I buy the kids Gingerbread house kits and then some nigth before Christmas the kids come over and decorate them. I have learned from past mistakes it is easier for mt to assemble the houses a few day before their arrival. Then this year, quite by accident, I discovered that you can buy them already assembled. Each kit comes with all the candies the powder to make the "Royal Icing" and an icing bag and tip. It is much cheaper to do it this way than to actually buy candy and make the Gingerbread yourself and it saves ones sanity. I really think the kids enjoy it and I enjoy having them here and getting a chance to get to know them a little better, plus I like taking pictures :)

Eryk thinks that decorating is serious business

Kaitlyn really got into it as well

Cheyenne making icicles

Concentration

Eryk is really enjoying himself

A wreath for the door

Mmm.. this frosting is good

Showing off his finished product

Cheyenne's proudly display her finished project

Kaitlyn's masterpeice

After we got the mess cleaned up and the kids had dinner we watched Christmas shows until Kollette came to pick them up.

Happy Birthday Brian!

We all gathered on December 17th to celebrate Brian's birthday

#39

A scratch and sniff gift card

Happy Birthday brother dear!