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.