Still February 2010

Ari had a birthday a party. There was a fun pinata,

and a mad scrambling for candy.

Laura made this darling birthday cake.

Opa and Aunty Em spent time with Bree.

February 2010

In January and February we worked on the solarium,

the walk through from the house to the pool.

The ceiling is painted a flat blue. We matched the paint to the can light trim. Here, Keith is finishing up the crown molding. We found this fantastic ceiling fan that just seems to add the right touch. It is a nice room.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my sweetheart, and my boys!

It's been a LONG Time

By way of explanation, we have been through a difficult time with my Mom, and serious illness since February. Things seem to be under better control, and she is once again home. I am playing catch up at home, etc. and can finally start to blog. I think that I will do this in sections, and try to catch up to the best of my ability.

In January my Mom gave me one her prized possessions. It is a walking doll, made of wood. My Dad gave it to her just before she left Holland and immigrated to the U.S. We were never allowed to play with her, but once in a while, Mom would show us how she walked.

She has safely moved from my Mom's fireplace hearth, to my fireplace hearth. Thank you, Mom, for such a wonderful gift!

How About That?

Keith was using the pellet gun and asked if I wanted to shoot it. Why not? He set up a target, a small piece of wood with an X on it.

From about 28 feet away I hit the target. It fell off the board he had placed it on. Keith shot at the otherside of the wood target, and then I shot again. We replaced the target each time. The second time I shot, the board fell, but I couldn't see where I had hit it. There was a sound of something hitting the floor close to where I was standing. After investigating the board, it was discovered that I had hit the same spot twice, driving the first pellet in further. The sound by my feet was the second pellet coming back. The second pellet fits right into the first pellet.

Christmas Eve Dinner

Since I've had my own children, I've always had a special Christmas Eve Dinner. When we moved back to Utah in the 1980's my Mom and Dad started to join us. We've missed a few when Mom and Dad were serving their mission, and once when we went to Keith's brother's home in Washington for Christmas.

This year was special because my Dad's sister, Nellie, was visiting from Alameda. Dirk and Emma's families came. I am still amazed that they want to come for Christmas Eve Dinner with the little ones, but I am happy that they do! We had dinner first. After reading the Christmas story, and each sharing what they are thankful for we were ready to open presents.

After opening presents we ate vanilla ice cream with lingon berries, and sugar cookies that the grandchildren made! Yum!!!

The big surprise was smoked eel for Mom and Tante Nellie. That is one of their favorites.

After Dirk and Emma's families left, we played games until it was time for Mom and Tante Nellie to go to my sister's house to spend the night.

Here we are playing Gooey Louie. Ask our kids about the initiation.

Next we played Gassy Gus. Don't ask. I think they are really guy games, but like Tante Stein once said, "You always know when you are having a good time...."

We had a wonderful time. Although we missed having David and his family with us, it was good to be with the rest of our little family at Christmas time.

Making Cookies with Oma

Getting ready to make cookies on December 23rd. This Oma's annual tradition to have the grandkids make cookies for Christmas Eve dinner. We all have a good time.

Here is Oma's mixing bowl.

Now, to sift the flour. Everyone gets a turn.

More sifting makes better cookies.

After mixing the cookie dough, the expert cookie bakers rolled out the dough and cut out snowflakes.

Tasting the finished product is the best part. The cookies passed the test and will be served for Christmas Eve Dinner's dessert. Extras are taken home for Santa.

We all had a good time.