Christmas with Kim & Erick

I have only added a couple of pictures as I haven't figured out a couple of things on this new computer monitor. Here I am opening some socks given to me by Erick and Kim, another picture is of Gabby after he opened his "new seat cushion" that Kim made for him with the Marine logo. Here is a picture of Erick opening a new game for his collection. We had a really good Christmas and there are more pictures, but I didn't want to bore anyone with them all.

Have a wonderful new year to all of you.

Barb and Gabby

More Christmas pictures

Some more pictures - didn't get a lot of great pictures - the kids didn't co-operate alot for pictures.

Conrad is handing out gifts, all the kids wanted to help, so they had to take turns. Or atleast, turns about the best they could.

Shawn showing his wolf table runner. I got the fabric early November when I went on the bus trip with Linda, Ann and Barb. It was a fun week end.

Jordyn showing off her mittens. Her and Dakota got 2 pair, one pair of fingered gloves, and one pair of fingerless gloves with mitten covers. Not for the cold, cold weather, but the girls seems to want them and like them.

Norrie showing off her new headlamp. She blinded everyone!!!!

Nancy with her gardening hat - she also got gardening gloves. I thought they were things that she would get alot of use out of. She likes her garden all summer.

A Merry Christmas to all ..........and looking forward the New Year.

Christmas pictures

Some Christmas pictures.............
Dakota looking at her fingered gloves,
Zachary with his Wild jersey and his new hat - looking good, Zachary.

Connor with his military doll that he had gotten earlier from his mom. Dakota also got a military doll.

Alex checking out his Wild jersey - it has the fight strap - awesome!!!

Michelle checking out her new apron.

More pictures to follow.

Wreath project

A couple weeks ago we saw a picture of a wreath and the directions on how to make it. Michelle thought it was awesome looking and went on a hunt for ornaments. I think the kids enjoyed making them. I don't have a picture of the one Dakota was making. Conrad seemed very pleased with his. Michelle made hers out of blue, red, and silver - that way she figures she can leave it up all year if she wants to. The picture of the finished one is mine, I made mine this afternoon - Christmas Day - since Ken and I were pretty much on our own today. This gave us something to work on and have fun doing it.

I think they all turned out awesome.

Dakota's Christmas Party

Dakota invited Papa Ken to her Christmas Party that was held at Just Like Home (the child care center that she goes to in the morning before school). They made a tree ornament and the necklace that she is holding.

The party was lots of fun with lots of goodies, cookies, and the best part was snowman soup. If you don't know what snowman is - it is hot chocolate with snowman marshmallows.

Just for Kix in Kasson

Sunday afternoon Ken and I went to Kasson to watch Jordyn and Dakota dance in the Just For Kix Winter Dance Show - Angel Dance.

I try, but I can not get a good photo of them while they are dancing, so here are a couple of them after the performances.

Jordyn was showing how she can do the splits.

Dakota right after she finished dancing - still had her halo and angel wings on. They came off right after the photo was taken.

Good job Jordyn and Dakota

ABC news

ABC Austin TV was interviewing today at a child care center that was giving military parents a break. Zachary was interviewed and it was on at 6 pm on the Austin channel. Connor had Santa zip up his coat. If I see a network link to it - I will post it

Santa

After the chair massage, Santa's visit was the next highlight of the evening.

the Stevens children

Michelle invited Ken and I to join her and the children to the annual Christmas Party for the military put on the Minnesota Business School. One of the first things Dakota asked "where are the people who give back rubs?" She wanted to have a chair massage.........as you can see from the pictures all three of them enjoyed it, even Connor. Dakota was the first person in line to get one. I thought it was my turn, when Connor ran over and climbed on before me. Oh well, I had to wait, but we all got a 5 minute chair massage, and they felt great.

Happy Holidays

We started doing a little decorating this week end. Zachary, Dakota and Connor were here when we started putting the village out. When we plugged in the first set of house, Connor walked over, sat down and just looked!! And kept saying "pretty".

oops, got red eyes. Sorry about that.

Tried to take one of the village after it was all set up. A little hard to get it all in there.

Also, put out the Santa collection.

Guess the tree or Snowmen will be next. Hope you al have a happy, blessed holiday.

Ann and her boys

Here are some photos of Ann and her "boys". I would not want her to feel left out. Enjoy the photos!!

family photos

Some pictures of the family

Just a FYI - plan ahead

I just wanted to let everyone know that I called Forestville State Park this morning and put my name of the shelter for Nov 22, 2012. According to my calendar that is Thanksgiving. It is big enough for all family that would like to go.

Mary

The Lost is Found

When Gary and Kate got to the house, he walked into the entryway from the garage Kate's I-pod was lying on the floor.

Everyone had a good time, and Kim and Erick made it home okay too!
Barb

Who wants to go hunting?

"All of you family members be extra careful this hunting season. As you can see... The animals are getting smarter and learning from human activity!"

Peters Thanksgiving Get-together

I just wanted to let everyone that the Peters' family is planning on being at the Forestville State Park this Thanksgiving. We did this a couple years ago, and we got it reserved for this year again.

If anyone would like to stop in, please feel welcome to do so. If you would like to join us and eat there, please bring your dinner with, and we will just have a big pot-luck. We will probably go for a walk at some point, and hopefully have a fire in the fireplace, and just sit around visiting and maybe playing some games. I know that the Hayes Holiday Party will be just a couple days after this, but we can have two parties within a few days.

fyi - you are suppost to have a park pass to be in the state park. Two years ago no one was around, so most of the cars did not have a pass. But be warned - just in case.

Hayes Family Holiday get-together

Just wanted to remind everyone about the family holiday get-together. As was posted last spring the party will be Saturday, November 26, 2011, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Byron. I am assuming that we will follow the routine as the last couple years.

Start gathering about 10 to 11 in the morning.

Lunch will be a soup and sandwich potluck.

We will have a white elephant gift exchange - don't forget those white elephant gifts.

Time for family talk and stories.

We have to be out of the hall at 4, since there will be an evening Mass.

If anyone has other info, or something was missed, please pass it along.

Please let everyone know if you will be able to come. I have always enjoyed the family party in the past years, and am looking forward to it this year.

Drive safe and we will

Ann's family news

Crystal and I spent some time sewing yesterday. She bought a Babylock Grace last Saturday. She was able to get her Halloween table runner finished. The squares will be a christmas tree skirt or a table cloth that she has started. I made the 3 little bags before she got here. I was practicing putting zippers in with my serger. Roger wanted a case for the GPS. Josie is really interested in learning to sew so Crystal thought the machine would be a good investment for her and Josie. Today Roger and I cleaned the van and such. We are going to Branson for a few days. Mary and Ken are going with us. Praying we have a safe trip. Have a good week everyone!