Hanging Out at Grandpa's House

We had lots of fun our last few days in the States. We spent some time at my dad's house. 

Holding the baby

Throughout the day Ellie asks, "Can I hold Abraham?"... Abraham has a high tolerance for being jostled around and held in positions I am sure are uncomfortable. He adores his big sister.

Mr. Giraffe

Abraham has gotten to the stage where he likes to use hands and his mouth to explore things. Mr. Giraffe was the first toy he played with. Thanks, Emma! :)

Christmas Tree Decorating

Ellie had so much fun decorating the Christmas tree at Grandma Dee's house. She put most of the ornaments on the tree, and then she'd take them off and play with them, and then she'd put them back again.  Unfortunately I couldn't get a good picture of her decorating. The camera wouldn't focus right. Between these two pictures, though, you can get the idea.
Merry Christmas!

Little Foods Picnic

The day before we left Breckenridge, Mike and Janell came over and we had a "little foods" picnic... or maybe it was a tea party. Anyway, it was super special. Ellie loved all the little foods, and she has certainly not forgotten putting the olives on her fingers. It was a very fun way to say good bye.

St. Nicholas Day 2011

It was fun to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving and St. Nicholas Day with family this year. In order to celebrate with Matt, Susie, and Hosanna we celebrated a little early.

I forget what story Ellie was telling, but she had Susie and Abraham's attention. I think it had something to do with the gifts. She was pretty excited.

Abraham was pretty thrilled, too.

And we ended the morning with a family picture.

Thanksgiving 2b

One of the things we wanted to do at both Thanksgiving celebrations was to take family pictures. Here are a few from our second Thanksgiving celebration.
Above: All of us... Debbie, Kristen, me, Susie, Mom, Aili, Russ, Ellie (who was counting how many pictures were being taken), Mark, William, Matthew, Hosanna, Franklin, and Abraham
Below: The two girls with Grandma and Grandpa

Matthew and my families with Grandma and Grandpa

Thanksgiving 2a

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving we got together with Mom's side of the family. It was a crazy fun day with five kids, three under four months! We got family pictures, but those will have to be in a 2b post. 

William 3 1/2 months, Abraham 2 months, Hosanna 3 weeks

 

Eliana 3 years and 2 months, Aili 2 years and 10 months at the reindeer/kids' table

Auntie Debbie had the magic touch. It seemed she could calm any crying baby.

I wanted to get a picture of the yummy food.

Mark was kind enough to let me know the gravy wasn't on the table yet.

More important than the food on the table, though, were the people around the table. It was so great to be together as family.

And a touch of the next post... when I can get my hands on the pictures and have time on the computer... Grandma Dee and Grandpa Russ with their five grandkids.

Thanksgiving 1

On Thanksgiving Day we celebrated with my dad's side of the family at my Aunt Doris and Uncle Allan's house. We have loved spending time with them while we have been in MN.

 

We were able to get a family photo with Grandma, Dad, my brother Matthew's family, and our family. 

 Dad and Abraham spent some time together.

Because we'll be gone for Christmas, we got to open some Christmas presents.

It was fun having two babies around. Baby Hosanna was pretty content the whole day.

Abraham wasn't quite as content, but he enjoyed some tummy time. :)