Cousins Banquet

We had a nice gathering at the Olive Garden. There were nine of us in total. Unfortunately, I was so engrossed in visiting that I forgot to take my camera out of my bag. Mary and Mike got to attend this dinner but had to go back north before the big family gathering on the 23rd. We missed Jamie very much...she was on her way and her car broke down. Chris arrived in time for dessert. This was our third year to get together like this. I know it will always be tough to get everyone together but I like this relatively new family tradition.

Thanks everyone for coming!
Margaret

Mapleleaf Christmas

Chris and I (with Milla) had a nice Christmas visit. We shared a nice meal and spent some time visiting. Wednesday, we went east to the Nature Center and tromped around the hills and valleys out there. Milla liked being in the woods (but she still might like the dog park better?)


The pup likes to help Chris unwrap sweaters. If I had known, I would have wrapped her presents too. After all the presents were opened, we just hung out for a bit. At 18 months or so old, Milla is still a big gentle pup. Chris can do anything with her.

Christmas and the Giving of Hats

The clan gathered on the 23rd. We missed Dean, Vicki and the girls but between the post office and everyone's schedule it was not to be. Of course, we missed them as well as John and Monika. We got to visit John on Webcam...what a hoot. Just about everyone sat down to chat with him. We could see him...he could see us. We kept him up past midnight (his time) but it was so great. It was good to see his smiles, laughs and immediate response to images that came across the ocean to his living room from Ohio.

In our family, Hats signify the season. This year they arrived from Sweden for each of the menfolk. Who'd of thought that moose fashion (i.e. underwear) would bring out the smiles. John delivered personally in his flat stanley sort of way. The hat tradition arose from the fact that Mom always gave the menfolk underwear at Christmas and someone finally decided it could be a fun holiday gift afterall and demonstrated by doning them on his head. The custom has continued for years now. Of course, women are much less likely to wear underwear on their heads....

Dwight and Julie were our gracious hosts once again. Thanks so much!!!

Jamie recently announced her engagement to Alex. They seem to be well suited for each other. No date yet. The plan is for them to both finish school first... Congratulations!!!









Margaret



As usual, there was a large group. Lot's of talking, visiting, and eating.

Julie and Jane

Dave

Annie - has completed her student teaching and expects to graduate this summer. Annie was inspired to lead a happy birthday song to all in the family who have a December birthday. There are many: Sam, Vicki, Kyle, Robin, Jay, Annie, Dean. We included Brooke who is a new years day babe.










Dan is looking really good. It was wonderful to see him.

Christine...the other good Aunt.

Ben turns 21 in February...Look OUT.

Sydney is such a beautiful young woman.

Molly

A nice group that exemplifies the afternoon. Robin, Laurie, and Julie.

Like or not, these are the patriarchs...Dwight and Dave.

Christopher and Scott

Stacy...I mean Kathleen was with us. It is fun to see her in the role of a good mommy even though I still think of her as a teenager.

Long distance cousins: Kai and Grace make great playmates. They were joined at the hip most of the day. Last year, Jake, and Kenady made it a foursome.

Sara gave me one nice photo. Actually, she did it for her mom.

This is what I usually get from Sara.

Jay and Michelle

I've always been proud of Chris. Here he is after a good day (profitable) playing the big boys at a Texas Holdem playing for peanuts with the family. Corrupting them all (yes I'm Beth's daughter). Kyle, Scott, Chris, and Ben.

A great day was had by all. I am happy to have such a great family!

flat stanley

Speaking of flat family members, ironically, we have a little flat visitor ourselves. Aunt Michelle, also a good aunt, forwarded Flat Stanley to us, a Milford, Ohio elementary school project. Click on 'flat stanley' title to this post for more info. The goal is to get Stanley around the world and the kids back home learn about where he has gone, perhaps who he has seen.

All was fine and good til we found Stanley raiding the pepparkaka house. He wouldn't make eye contact with us. Since Stanley has been here he's seen the Nobel Awards, Lucia and since his plane has been delayed he just may be with us through the holidays. His time here was suppose to be for only two weeks. Hopefully Stanley can find some fun stuff to do over Christmas break without getting into anymore trouble.

Family Thanksgiving gathering

The family gathered at Jay & David's church for Thanksgiving. Since it was the day after, and everyone was done with turkey, we had pizza after the traditional holding of hands and saying grace. A great time was had by all.


The church turned out to be a nice place for our group because there was plenty of room to spread out and there was lots to do. Pool, foosball, wii...

Of course John and Monika took advantage of the coffee that is always on hand. And of course they took a stroll through the church and enjoyed the early tree set up.

The boys insisted on going down the slide.

Chris got a chance to visit with Mary and to get to know Mike a little better.
They make such a nice couple.

John and Monika got into as many family groupings as they could while they were in town.

The Pizza was good. LaRosas! Even Jake had a taste.

College kids were home. It was great. Who else would be barefoot in November?






Julie and barefoot Em.























The three amigos: Kyle, Christopher, and Jay.










Scott and Christine.

skating anyone?

Anybody remember our skating party from last year, Christmas Eve? That was a lot of fun. Anybody heading it up this year?

Our stay at Margaret's

Well our holiday tour of John's hometown continues. Margaret apologized that she hasn't posted the Thanksgiving pictures yet but she was happy to have us at her home this week. The Thanksgiving pictures will get posted eventually.

It was fun to help decorate the tree this weekend.

Aunt Margaret has so many plants. Many of them are blooming and she was happy to have us pose with them.

Dad, why does Aunt Margaret have so many plants? No one knows son, just humor her and smile. Dad, what color is that one? Funny Jake, just smile...show everyone your new tooth. Mom the plants are tickling my nose. Just stand still and smile Sam, we are almost finished.

Hey Dad, this one kind of smells nice.

that time of year

We broke out some Christmas decorations today. We brought our nativity scene from Ohio and Advent officially starts tomorrow here in Sweden. Mormor has a menora that we're going to use this year to hold advent candles. Mon and the boys built a pepparkaka house today - somewhat similar to gingerbread. She'll post about that somewhere.

Thanksgiving

Ah, sibling rivalry and the wishbone.

frosty morning

It wasn't that cold today, I don't think. But still I had to scrape the windshield at 1 p.m. I was kind of surprised. I thought the frost looked pretty cool. No sooner did I get my camera out that it began to melt. Boys did some drawing.

Surprise (conspiracy) in San Diego

SHE DIDN'T SUSPECT A THING !!

Aunt Genie turned 0n Saturday November 10. She thought she was having a casual family brunch with Paul, Sandy, and Terri to be followed by a walk on the beach. But about 25-30 friends and family turned out to wish her well. It was so much fun. The tears were widespread but brief and mingled with laughter, smiles, hugs and kisses.

The cakes (made by Aunt Genie's cousin) were wonderful.

The family was well represented. Paula and Kirk came in from Juno. Dwight, Dean and myself flew in from OH/IN, Marilou from Chicago, Gail Anne from Houston. I was happy to meet Genie's family after hearing abou them on our excursions to Mexico. It was good to see other friends I've come to know in Mexico and Jonathan (formerly of Canton).

Cindy with Gene's mom, Annie.

What a great family we have. Thanks so much to Terri for organizing and hosting with much help (and more than a little deception) from Paula, Sandy, and Uncle Paul.

It's tough going, but Paul is healing well. He'd be happy to show you. He works hard at his recovery (with 2 daughters who are physical therapists and a scuba trip in Mexico in the spring, what else can he do?).

Josh, Sam, and Zach in a conspiracy of their own. These guys are great. I'm so glad to have gotten to know them!

Sandy looks so good!
She is vibrant, beautiful and so centered and self-assured. She embraces life...something we should all do.

Who knew her hair would grow in red like Sam's?

Aunt Genie with her big sister MariAnn.

Check out these babes!! I was so happy to finally meet Aunt Genie's mom, Annie, and her sister MariAnn.

Before and after the surprise were great too. Beforehand (Friday night), Terri served up tamales (YUM) and Sandy organized a scrapbook party to create a "this is your life" memento for Aunt Gene.

Terri and Daren have such a beautiful home and were such gracious hosts. THANKS!!!

Boys are such cut ups. Don't you love it!!

Dear Aunt Gene......

























































After the party, we went back to Terri's for a lovely walk on the beach. The boys surfed and Kirk and Dwight decided to supervise instead of walking.

Yes Olivia, these are horses on the beach with Mexico in the background.

Later in the day, we went to Paul and Gene's for dinner with the family. MariAnn stuffed us with wonderful food. After dinner, Aunt Gene opened gifts and cards. She was thrilled to get so many cards from across the country and from Sweden. She loved every birthday card and drawing.

Thanks so much to all of you for participating in the surprise!!!

Throughout the weekend, we moved from one "feed" to another. I wished I had scheduled a later flight home on Sunday so that I could have had some of MariAnn's breakfast strada.

This was my first ever visit to CA. I understand why people visit there and never come back. We have gracious family out there! Visiting is great! I highly recommend it.

Margaret