Christmas 2008 in MN

We enjoyed the weekend in MN with Justin's family. Our traditional family photos are below. Howard and Linda
Justin and Deeds

Todd and Alyssa

Nate and Cori Ann Eric and Ang Baby Ty with Dad. Our nephews got these helmets for a gift. Justin and his brother, Nate, enjoyed playing with them just as much. None of us were fortunate enough to catch a photo of them together, but here's Justin clowning around!More playtime...Justin was trapped in a tent with nephews Jordan, Brady and Cody. Cousins together Cousins in their PJs

Winter Wonderland

A few sights and sounds from our acreage this weekend. We're now getting the "full effect" of living in the country! (Sorry one of the videos below isn't flipped the right way. If anyone knows how to fix that, let me know!)

Young Adults for Christmas

Our young adults from church were over last Sunday night. Wishing you guys a Merry Christmas!

Justin realized after they left that we'd hosted 3 dinner parties in 8 days. Whew. I think I'm ready for take-out! Just kidding-we enjoyed every moment.

My Students

My student employees came for our annual Christmas get together last night. We had tacos for supper (Feliz Navidad!), played Apples to Apples and enjoyed National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. A few of them stuck around until 10:30-that's late for this lady, but I had so much fun! We enjoyed learning about Ashley's life, in particular. She grew up in the Marshal Islands so we had lots of questions for her. This is one neat part of my job-getting to know so many great, unique college students.

Decorating

Per request of our Minnesota family, a tour through our decorated home in pictures.

We begin with, fittingly, the front door. The pine branches were taken from our backyard trees.Entryway. My project last winter was making picture frame ornaments for each year of our marriage. I used a photo taken at Christmas of each year and had them printed in black and white. I then added the year in the bottom corner and purchased silver frames from Hobby Lobby-always at 50% off!! A fun project that was especially fun to put on the tree this year in our dining room.

The kitchen. I've lugged this grapevine (above the window below) from my one bedroom apartment, to our former home and now our current home. I like finding lightweight things to hang in it all year round for decoration. This is the Charlie Brown tree we put in the corner in our living room. I found these great black and silver bulbs on the sale rack after the season last year. Sorry if I'm sounding like Martha Stewart! Wrapped gifts make great decorations too! These are on top of our entertainment center.

Our "sitting room" also got a tree! This one is all in green and the room itself is green. My dad had made me this ladder a few years ago and it works great to display Christmas books.

The stairs leading upstairs.

Basket full of pinecones and pines from our trees outside. Bathroom upstairs. I've always loved this funky green for Christmas!

Christmas Festivities

Last week Thursday, a group of ladies got together for a "Jingle and Mingle" event on Main Street of our town. Though it was chilly, we had a fun evening bopping in and out of stores eating the many samples that store owners provided while getting a little shopping done!

Co-workers Kristi, Joan and I pose with Santa himself!Our beautiful Main Street.

Thanksgiving 2008

We spent Thanksgiving in MN with Justin's family. Below are several photos of our time together including the always fun, family photos!Howard and Linda preparing the feast!
Howard and Linda with the grandkids.
Justin's brother Eric and family: Angie, Jordan and Grace.

Justin's brother Nate and family: CoriAnn, Meeghen, Cody and Brady. This was the fun, silly photo!

Nate's fam outside.

Justin's sister Alyssa and family: Todd and little Ty.

Hey, who are these two? Grandma Mabel with Ty. Mabel is recovering from a broken femur. We were all happy to see her out and about and able to spend Thanksgiving with us. Cousins "playing football": an annual Thanksgiving event, right?And a rare photo of the brothers together in need of rest after the big meal. Hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving with your loved ones as well!

Dedicating Baby Ty

While home in MN, Justin performed the baby dedication of nephew, Ty, his sister's first baby. It was a fun day surrounded by family and celebrating with Alyssa and Todd.