Christmas Concerts

They had two Christmas concerts this year, church and school.



Sunday School Concert

Preston's Verse:
It's Christmas Time...
Christmas happened long ago and so far away, but if you give yourself to Christ, It's Here, It's Now, It's Today !!

Destiny's Verse:
God sent the Christ to save the earth to free us from our sins,
He taught us how to live and love, if you put your trust in Him !

with Isiah, they sang Away in a Manger !

School Concert:

Preston was a shepard with a speaking part... he is in the red.

Destiny was Mary, the grumpiest looking Mary I ever did see but still adorable!

They sang "Away in a Manger, Silent Night, We three Kings and Oh Christmas Tree.

picture quality like the above is why Jen is the appointed family photographer if she is around.

The Tree....

Off to find the perfect tree. We have lots of company this year so I wanted a tall narrow one, I usually like the fat ones but we could use the space.

We couldn't find one in the lot to cut ourselves but we did find one they had already cut.

I did the lights and ribbon but Destiny and Preston did the ornaments. they took their job very seriously, making sure to put all the important ones out of the kitty's reach.

Christmas Eve part 3 of 3, Mrs Clause's Visit

Mrs. Claus always sneaks in sometime Christmas Eve or magically leaves a present for the kiddies to open.....and it usually is ......

PJ's.... she likes us to be snuggly and cozy in our beds Christmas Eve.

Mrs. Claus even left the family a game to play. We had fun, we even tired Grumps out. Everyone wears color coded bands on their hands and the ball tells us what color to throw to next.

After baths and donning cozy jammies we read the 3 traditional stories, the story about the magic key, The Night Before Christmas, and the Christmas Story from the bible....
Leaving the Magic Key outside our door. This is how Santa gets in to houses without a fireplace and Chimney

...they had just settled down for a long winters nap... only one more sleep to go....

Santa had arrived.....

Not Bad ?!

Christmas Eve Part 2 of 3 Cookies for Santa

We made some gingerbread cookies for Santa...Mixing, Rolling, Cutting, Flour Everywhere....

and then we baked them, and then Dave turned the timer off without telling me, well he said he told me but I didn't hear him....so they burnt ! You can't leave Santa burnt cookies so We moved to plan B.

I pulled down from the cupboard some pre made gingerbread man cookies that I bought at Walmart. They just needed to be frosted.

Voila ! Cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer....

Christmas Eve Part 1 of 3 Lobster

I have sooooo much fun Christmas Eve......The excitement and preperation for the next day is the best !

One of the traditions that we started 6 or 7 years ago is to have Lobster Christmas Eve for dinner. No one had to twist my rubber arm. Much to my dismay Destiny loves it too (that means I have to share) So now I sit her over by Grumps...and Now Preston, another lobster lover. It is fun, as long as they sit by Grumps. He just spends one hour cracking, digging for meat and feeding them.

Dave and Joyce are here too but they are busy at the kitchen turning their share into lobster rolls.

Party day part II

A little late I know, but here is part II of the birtday celebrations.. after the firehall kid party we headed home to their surprise from us.. they had to close their eyes and find it in the yard. It didn't take long since it was a 12 foot trampoline. They had a bit of fun on it that day. Don't worry everyone we do have an enclosure for it, just not up yet.

And then on to a family party, Grumps, Nanny and Papa came for our annual deep fried turkey, hashbrown caserole, broccoli salad, and trifle for desert.

Preston opening his DS, you can see he was excited !

Then we kicked everyone out and rushed off to the Superstore for Birthday Pictures.



Birthday celebrations around here spread out over a week. This is Preston opening his present that arrive from his Daddy. He loved the ice skates, as you can see from previous blog postings, he is getting lots of use of them.

also a game for his ds and an electronic dartboard. Thank you Daddy.

Later Presents came from for Des and Pres from Prestons Grammy Bonnie too.

First Time on Ice Skates

This was the first time on ice skates for Destiny and Preston... They were very excited, a little shakey, and a whole lot wobbley.

Don't let go...

Look , we are doing it all by ourselves.

We wenting skating four times last week....they are definately showing improvment, now if only it didn't feel like sharp knives being driven up through the arches of my feet it would be a blast.

Will that ever go away? I don't remember it feeling like that 25 - 30 years or lets not mention how many pounds ago !!

skating video

fonda, hope you don't mind me just posting this, it's taken forever to get on here, so I'm just gonna hit publish in fear that we might lose it again!

Winter sliding Fun

3 sleds, 2 kids, 4 adults, two hills, add some snow, and you've got yourself a fun afternoon! and now some videos for our reader's pleasure!

I love sliding !! The tube sleds that Grumps gave the kids for Christmas were a big hit with all the kids on the hill. oh and the adults too.


Junior and Preston....


Daddy and Destiny...


Mommy and Destiny...


Preston solo...


A fun day was had by all... (except Amanda, she was home sick)
Thanks Jen for the videography!

A Northern Family Tradition !!

For as long as I can remember people in my family have been making Christmas Fir Wreaths. It was fun teaching the kids how to make a wreath. My mom did this for extra Christmas cash every year. I made wreaths to make the down payment of our first home. and now....well we only made two to decorate our house. So I may not be passing down the tradition of hard work and earning your own money I am passing down the art.

It was fun for Jen to join in, she had never made a wreath before.
First we loaded on the wheeler to go scout for the perfect boughs !

The perfect boughs are hard to find in our back yard but we managed to find enough.



Tired already ??

Destiny and Mommy made one for the front window

Daddy did nothing but go get the wheeler in the woods after I couldnt get it started.

Preston was very interested to learn....I told him he was at least a 4th generation wreath maker with a break in the line, I dont think his mom ever made a wreath.
Great Job Kiddos, they are perfect wreaths. Grammy Blair would be very proud of you. Hey Lou lou have Grampy Diffin check this out.

Jen where are the pictures of you and your wreath?