Friday the 23rd we surprised the kids by doing a "mini" scavenger hunt. Since we are usually gone to Tim's parents for Christmas and not at home on Christmas morning we end up doing our presents when we get home late in the day on Christmas day or on the morning of the 26th. But this year we decided to let them have some fun early. So, I chose a few things that my parents had sent--including their new set of PJ's!! And they enjoyed the "hunt" and then an afternoon of fun before heading down to Tim's folks!
Tim's mom's birthday is also 23rd and we were able to be there for the evening of her birthday and enjoy a dinner out at Wong's--her favorite Chinese restaurant in Rochester.
It really was a beautiful weekend in the weather department and we were able to be outside and get a lot of fresh air and the exercise felt good after all the food consumed. Margaret and & I had a nice refreshing walk with the little girl cousins. Malia just loves when Uncle David comes out and wants to take his BIG dog Brutus (a pure-bred blood hound) for a walk!--Malia will be a great caretaker to a dog when we get one!!).
Christmas Eve found us at Tim's parents with his brother Chris & family and then sister Lisa & brother David. We thoroughly enjoyed a buffet of appetizers and then all of us--this kids, too--enjoyed the hillarious old movie of "Dennis the Menace" with Walter Mathau! That was a good choice for the night! I remember watching the "Home Alone" movies during Christmas break and I know the kids would love seeing all of those in "marathon-style", but Dennis the Menace was just as hillarious & silly. Lots of laughter and silliness ensued from our crazy clan!
All of the little girls slept down in the playroom basement on "their" air mattresses and it was hard for them to go sleep as they were so excited for Christmas Day.
Christmas Day was a little different this year since it was a Sunday and a church service in the am. Instead of the usual morning hub-bub of opening gifts, we had a nice quiet morning leading up to the church service followed by a delicious dinner and then in the early afternoon Tim's dad read about Jesus' birth and the reason we celebrate this special event. It's fun to listen to the kids answer his questions about why Jesus was born and then why He had to die and then rose again. I love it!
The presents came next and the thing I remember is all the "thank-you's" I heard from all the kids and the sincere excitement and gratitude from them. Makes my heart feel good!
We arrived home about 7pm on Christmas Day for Part 2 of opening gifts! It's always amazing to me how my house can go from "clean & how I like it" to "chaos & craziness"!! I don't know how we even managed to get them to bed before 9...but we did and I'm pretty sure I followed suit shortly after!
My side of the family isn't able to usually be together on Christmas and that always--yes always--makes me sad. You can ask Tim...somewhere between Thanksgiving and December 1st I can get kind of grumpy in regards to that. The facts are this...if it's a normal winter with tons of snow and wind then no-one wants to be travelling across North Dakota on I94 to my parents. But of course this year...there was NO snow and we could have went out there. It's definitely hard to be away from my own family. As much I love Tim's family, I will always wish for more time with my own. My sister and her husband were able to drive from Utah to Washington where my brother is and be with him and his kids for Christmas and so that was very good and I am very happy that all worked out. Sounds like they had a great time and I'm thankful for that!
Mom & dad shared their Christmas with my Grampa Arnie and a visit to Grama at the nursing home and then out at my Uncle Larry's farm.
We do enjoy our skype dates with "Grama & Papa" though. They've had front-row seats to some of our crazy antics and even though they aren't here in person...they definitely get a kick out of what they see & hear!
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| Books from Grama & Papa!! |
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| Malia was given more books to some of her favorite series!! |
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| MIGHTY MACHINES! DOING MIGHTY THINGS! |
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| Horses for their AG dolls!! |
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| Train set from Auntie Mel and it hooks up with his other set!! |
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| Takin a walk with the girls cousins and finding Uncle David & Brutus along the way! |
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| Brutus...the Bloodhound! |
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| M3 found some snow to dig & haul! |
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| He's letting me work the bulldozer! |
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| Dylan gave Marshall some Vikings trading cards!! |
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| "Dennis the Menace" |
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| Christmas Morning |
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| Chris & Becky, Maddie, Eryn & Dylan |
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| Our 3 at Tim's parents church! |
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| Maddie & Malia |
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| Morgan & Eryn |
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| With Great Grama Hassler |
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| Dylan & Chris |
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| Marshall giving Great Grama Hassler a Christmas smooch! |
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| The boys & Great Grampa Friese |
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| Great Grampa Friese & Morgan |
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| Great Grama Friese...we love the sun, but it sort of ruined this picture. |
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| My 2 lovely ladies! |
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| Maddie & Malia...Auntie Becky made their hats! |
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| Auntie Lisa & Morgan |
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| Uncle David, Marshall & Taffy |
Great pictures and a little taste of what your Christmas was like! I totally understand about wanting your "own time" at Christmas with your own family. :) Glad for extended family time though--and as always, love hearing about your exciting adventures with your fam!!
ReplyDeleteI noticed Marshall in an orange shirt in one of the photos...Andrew got the same one for Christmas!!! Too cute!
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