Our family Christmas...hosted by Marti and Steve this year!


The pre-dinner feeding frenzy begins as soon as appetizers and sweets are set on the table. Makenna is modeling this activity for us. (She just happens to be the one caught on camera. But you can bet the rest of us were willing participants at the tables, too.)





Enjoying each other's company while waiting for dinner.
(Kevin, Deb, Mom, Maynard, Bill)




Makenna and Andrew





Marti, hard at work in her kitchen





Steve, carving the spiral ham. It was soooo tasty!





Is it almost time to eat?





In the kitchen, the popular place to hang out.


And before we eat, we remember the truth of Christmas,


So Steve offers a prayer of thanks.





And for this, we are truly thankful!!! :o)





Mom and Maynard reluctantly (but obediently) go first.





Makenna kickin' back





Bill and Deb relaxing on the steps





Bill and Marti





Waiting for everyone to gather for opening gifts.
(Bill, Maynard, Kevin)




Deb gave Mom and Maynard a gift of her own photography. Her photographs are evidence of a blooming talent! She has "the eye".





Zeke, also waiting for gifts to be exchanged.





After hanging out in the living room and in front of the fireplace, people started moving around again. The men went for their "traditional" walk, then gathered around to talk "men talk"...well, the women were told we couldn't sit at the man table. Sacred ground.




So,while the men were out on their walk, we women gathered on the steps to talk, then decided to take advantage of this photo op.
Mom, Penni, Deb, Marti, Makenna, Lori

The artist at work


Our daughter-in-law, Julie wrote a story for her niece back "home". Julie asked Kevin to illustrate the book for her. It was a great opportunity and welcome challenge for him as he had not had the energy nor inspiration to create in a long time. He accepted her offer and got right to work. You can see he's really involved in his work. Anyway, Julie published her book, "The Great Shoe Exchange" on lulu.com. We're anxiously awaiting the arrival of our copy in the mail.



"O Christmas Tree..."


This is what it looked like Christmas morning....Kevin's and my gifts to each other...but most of them are the gifts the kids mailed to us. We opened them while we were skyping with them. It was a way to be with each of them on Christmas morning.



It's our tradition (Ethan can identify with that) to open stockings on Christmas Eve...and to eat fun foods and enjoy Meier's (that's the best brand) non-alcoholic sparkling drinks.

And of course, Kevin's stocking would not be complete without the Dots candy!

'Tis the season....
Before leaving for church this morning, Kevin is faithful....


...always faithful to make sure the driveway is cleared





We love having family over...

We invited Gene and Suzy (Kevin's sister) over to celebrate Gene's birthday. The bonus is that Amy and Adam were both home, too. So we had a fun evening playing games.



Last week I received a call from a high school classmate with whom I was able to reconnect last year at our class reunion. She and her husband were flying home for Christmas and their flight was coming here. After being delaying in Denver for 2 nights en route, they spent the evening and night in our home. We enjoyed each other's company...was a great time.

Larry and Cindy

Deer in the headlights????


This was the look on my face when I was passed on the interstate by the pickup below...



It totally took me by surprise...

But then...this is Iowa...and it is deer hunting season.
(Look closely. Those are deer legs/cloven hooves sticking up)

BIG ART

Kevin, the art teacher in his elementary building, volunteers his time to design and make the backdrop for the annual Christmas program for the K-5 students.





And he has recently been inspired to do his artwork again. Here he is doing a water color painting. So glad to see him working again for pleasure...it's good for him. He's just not had time, nor inspiration for quite some time; until now.

We celebrated our Thanksgiving on Saturday with some family and friends.

Maynard and Apolline (on the horse) and Ines. The girls love the Wonder Horse. Ines spent a good share of the day on this horse.





Our good friend, Beth was able to come celebrate with us. Little Apolline is being entertained.




Beth at table with my brother-in-law, Steve. They both grew up in the same area.




I just love this photo of Apolline




Maynard brought up the W.H. from the basement for the girls to ride.





Mom (aka Grandma) always enjoys the little ones. Beth was great with Ines and Apolline.









Remi and Ines at the dinner table




Let the fun begin!!! Cleaning the meat off the Thanksgiving turkey :oP Bethann, it just occurred to me....I believe you got stuck with this job one other time at my house. That's ok....we'll make Marti do it next year!




More cleanup duties....Sophie drying dishes; Marti washing.
Hey! I was busy documenting so that I may share the day with you!


Sweet rewards:

We had chocolate mousse cake, pecan pie, pumpkin pie....coffees. (Does anyone besides me have a headache today? Too much sugar!)




Saying goodbye...




Steve and Marti....always the serious ones in the family.




We'll be at their place for our family Christmas....can't wait.

A quiet Sunday morning...no traffic...a soft snow falling.




So, after church...


...we put up our tree....








...and our nativity. This is what Christmas is really about.








Yesterday, Kevin and I went out on a nature trail...it was sunny and the air was clear.

A stop on the foot bridge to listen to the water running along in the creek and just observe everything below


Finally....

This is my blogging "station". Yep, folks...this is from whence I send out all the photos that I want to share, along with a little narration. This is a creative outlet for me; plus it keeps me connected to my children and other family and friends that live far away. Well, I'd better get to it; there's more blogging to do....let's see....where was I?

This shadow caught my attention...I was drawn by the crispness of the lines, both on the wall and on the lampshade.



Now, down to business. It is our Saturday morning tradition to take turns serving each other breakfast in bed. This is breakfast 1 wk ago.


Here, Kevin is sporting a tray that hosts everything on the menu of the day...his French vanilla capuccino, orange juice, apple slices, Friendship bread muffin, Jimmy Dean hot-sausage patties, and fried potato slices in EVOO and seasoning.
This is a favored tradition of ours and we guard it diligently. It's our time to relax and to savor the fact that neither of us has to get up and rush off to work.






I got up to prepare our breakfast-in-bed and looked out the window to find this. Our first real dusting of snow.