Christmas Afternoon in Stamford

After a very nice morning, we headed over to Mom and Dad's for our Christmas dinner and get together with family. Thankful for dry roads as some areas north of us had suffered a significant ice storm.

My three brothers and their families were there. There is always so much yummy food and this year we all made some type of dessert...so many goodies.

Glenn, Walt and Dan enjoy the food table.

Some of the lovely ladies snaking. All these girls are growing up and becoming such wonderful young women. Love them all.

We were able to Skype with Sally and Tom. We passed the iPad around and everyone gave their Christmas greetings.

We gathered in the living room to open presents. It was very full this year. So much living happens in this room and has for many, many years.

Hannah sat on Papa's lap and I told her she had to smile for a picture. She did a great job.

Dave and Zeb watching the activity and waiting their turn to open their gifts.

It was a wonderful day. New beginnings as Bess celebrated her first Christmas in Denmark and we without her here in the USA. Nothing stays the same and we talked about how the family is shifting again as the next generation grows up, marries and starts families of their own. It is all a bit bittersweet, but as it should be. We adjust, get used to a new way and enjoy the moments we have. New memories to store away. Life is good.

Fishing

Papa (my dad) took Gabe and Zeb, my nephew, fishing. They had a great time and although they got a lot of nibbles, they didn't catch anything.

Gabe and Zeb are only three months different in age and they enjoy each other's company, usually spending a lot of time wrestling and playing some sport or other.

After fishing, Papa took the boys out to lunch and they met Uncle Walt there. It was a very full day.

Christmas Afternoon

We headed over to Mom and Dad's in the afternoon. Glenn, Theresa, Julia, Mariah, Abbie, Zeb, Dave, Sandi, Emily, Amber and Walt also joined in the Christmas celebration.

We had a buffet style meal of turkey, ham, scalloped potatoes, broccoli casserole, stuffing, squash, sweet potato, a veggie platter, deviled eggs, a pickle tray, cranberry sauce, gravy, rolls and pies and cookies for dessert. Oh, my, I'm stuffed all over again.

After dinner we opened presents. Each of the grandchildren draws the name of one of the other grandchildren, so the children get a gift, plus Noona and Papa give them gifts.

The younger guys went outside for a while. There was plenty of snow to play in.

It was a very nice day. I love our family and the closeness we have. Everyone enjoys each other's company and there are always plenty of laughs.

July 5 - Cookout at Mom and Dad's

We had a very enjoyable day with Mom and Dad. We had a cookout, enjoyed some great food and wonderful company.

Dad started a fire in the fireplace, always a favorite. The children love having an outdoor fire. We made s'mores.

Brian and the children enjoyed some type of ball game. Not sure what it was, but they were having fun.

Thanks, Mom and Dad for a very nice day. We always enjoy your company.

Memorial Day

On Monday, Observed Memorial Day, we went over to Mom and Dad's to spend the day. It turned out to be a lovely day with gorgeous blue skies and comfortable temps. We had a very nice visit.

The children loved the new sandbox Dad had built. It is quite a bit larger and deeper than the old one which had started to fall apart. Gabe is making a very funny face in this picture. He was making volcano noises and creating an earthquake with his foot under the sand.

We enjoyed burgers and hotdogs, potato salad and baked beans. And what summer picnic would be complete without watermelon.

Mom brought out the fixins' for S'mores...yum! Dad had built a fire and we enjoyed roasting marshmallows...some more roasted than others.

Hannah enjoys her S'more!

Later in the day, the children were hungry again. (Aren't they always?) and cooked hotdogs on sticks over the fire.

It was a super day of running around, playing, eating and visiting with two of our favorite people. Thanks, Mom and Dad for always giving us a great day.

Thanksgiving Day

This year we spent Thanksgiving Day at Mom and Dad's house. We did some last minute baking before we left. Glenn and Theresa and their children were there also. We all had a very nice time.

I am thankful for Brian. He works so hard for us often being away when I know he would rather be home. This allows me to stay home with the children instead of working outside the home. He is a loving husband and attentive father.

I am so thankful for Bessie and Gabe. They are always quick to help, cheer me up, laugh and joke with each other and basically make life so much more enjoyable and easy for me while Brian is away. (And when he is home.)

I am thankful for the Littles. They constantly challenge me, but also bring a lot of joy. God has used them and continues to use them to expand and enrich my relationship with Him. I am learning to see the blessing they are.

I am thankful for lower gas prices. This is the lowest I have seen in a very long time.

I am so very thankful for Mom and Dad. This has been a very tough year for them and for us. Dad suffered his heart attack in January and Mom has had many months of surgeries and hospitalizations. They are both doing very well and it was a tremendous blessing to see them so fit and healthy again.

I am thankful for siblings and their spouses. We all get along so well and the cousins have a blast when we are together. It is always a pleasure to spent time in the kitchen with my sister-in-law Theresa. She is a natural hostess and loves working in the kitchen and serving others. I am always challenged to work more on my hospitality when I spent time with her.

I am thankful for all the nieces and nephews. They are a terrific bunch of children and young adults.

I hope you had a terrific Thanksgiving.

Family Celebration

Dad came home late Saturday afternoon. It was so good to have him back home and to have him doing so well.

We got up earlier and went to Mom and Dads and went to church with them on Sunday morning. My youngest brother and my sister were there also. My parents is a wonderful church and they love my folks. There was a standing ovation when they entered the church. It is so heart warming to see such an outpouring of love and concern.

That afternoon, the whole family gathered for a celebration. A celebration of Dad's life and also of our family, the love and closeness we share and the gratitude we feel for Mom and Dad. We also celebrated their birthdays. Dad's was last week and Mom's was this week.

Dad enjoying his guitar and his music

Walt is great with the kids

My youngest brother is a bachelor. Whenever he comes home to visit, he spends lots of time with the kids. The love their Uncle Walt. Mom and Dad had lots of snow and it was a warmer day, so the snow was packy. They began making snow balls and ended up making a snowduck. I didn't get any pictures of the finished product because it was almost dark when they finished, but the kids and Walt had a great time sculpting it

Everyone brought food and goodies. There was lots of eating, talking, laughing and fellowship.

Sally and Aunt Helen (Dad's sister)

Dan having fun with some play money

Enjoying the carrot cake Theresa made (GramGram's recipe)

Dan and Noona

Bri and Gabe

Me and my sweetie (Gabe took this one)

The wonderful carrot cake Theresa made...yum!

Dan helping Dad open his birthday presents

Mom and Dad Back L to R: Glenn, Dave and Walt Front L to R: Sal, Dad, Mom and Me
Mom, Dad and most of the grandchildren (Sally's kids were missing)

It was a wonderful day and such a joy that we were celebrating with Dad among us. I think this whole experience has made us even more thankful for the terrific Godly parents we have and the close family we enjoy.

Christmas Afternoon at Mom and Dad's

Christmas afternoon found us at Mom and Dad's. This has been annual tradition for many, many year. All that can attend do. This usually includes two of my brothers and their families. This year there were 19 of us. What a fun time we all had.

We served the meal buffet style. There were all sorts of yummy things...ham, backed beans, veggie platter, broccoli casserole, deviled eggs, rolls and a lot of pies and goodies. It was all wonderful.

Gabe and Zeb spent quite a bit of time outside playing in the snow. Those two always have so much fun when they get together.

We all enjoyed opening the presents. I love seeing what everyone else gets. So many great ideas for all.

Rachel checks out her gifts

Bessie loved her Frappucino from Mariah

Hannah is hiding behind her new doll, which she was thrilled with
A new Webkinz
Gabe fills Zeb in on the wonders of K'Nex
After all the food, gifts and dessert, the kids and a few adults settled down to watch Ratatouille. By the laughing I would say it was enjoyed very much.

By the time we arrived home, everyone was very tired. It was a great day and helped to remind me why we go through all the hustle and bustle. We enjoyed the festivities, but also were able to keep Jesus in the our minds.