The feast

We all met at Grandma's house for Christmas dinner. Orey is always in charge of cutting or should I say carving the meat. After he was done, he and Rob had time to chat while waiting for the gathering for the prayer. There is Julie in the background with her mickey mouse apron and her big sinclair mug of pop!

Here is the spread. We had turkey and ham. Rob made the funeral potatoes. There were Lorna beans and stuffing and corn blob. And of course sugar rolls. We can not have a gathering without sugar rolls.

Tables were set up in the family room and there was room for all. There were about 32 of us.

Mom, Renny and Katie. It had been a long day already I think for Renny!

This Lorna and her friend Scott. He came with his daughter Tabitha, who happens to be a Jr. at Battle Ground just like David. But they did not speak to each other!! Teenagers!

Another picture of Renny enjoying his lunch. He had the Christmas music going and was guarding the radio because some of his family were tired of Christmas music!

Luke ate a sugar roll. I believe that is all! Courtney is in the back and it is Teaghan with her back to us.

Jesse stayed with us in the background playing a game.

Ike's family with Orey's family way in the back by the window.

Somehow Grandpa always ends up at a table full of kids! Sydney and Robbie were also there.

We had a great time and it was relaxing after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Katie made some really good pies for dessert. These family get togethers are so much more enjoyable than they use to be. Maybe we have all grown up some! Millie

Off to Grandma's House

On Christmas we went to church and then came home to change. Then we were off to Grandma Julie and Grandpa Frank's for Christmas dinner. Here are Sam and David ready to go!

Hannah managed to get a picture with each of her brothers. Here she is with David.

With Sam. (As you can see in the background we have quite a mole hill problem going on!)

With Luke and the new hat Hannah bought him.

With Isaac.

And even with her Dad!

I got a picture with David, not sure why. And seem to have missed the memo that we were all wearing blue to Grandma's. I wore my new red fleece I forgot I bought until putting out the Christmas things.

And here they all are. What a great looking bunch! Next will be the pictures of the crew at Grandma's. Millie

Christmas Eve

Sam and Oliver got a long smashingly! He is a really cute and good. So is Oliver!!

Waiting to eat!

What happens when they think the camera is off them!

Waiting to light the tree from the front.

And from behind!

We each put a candle on the tree, and Rob lights them. We turn off all the lights and sing Silent Night. It does not last very long because Rob worries about the flames and we quickly extinguish the candles.

We then open our gifts from Santa's elves and surprise they are new pajamas.

Even mom and dad got them!! Then it is off to bed to await the arrival and Santa and Christmas morning! Millie

Our Expected Christmas Eve Guests

On Christmas Eve we have people over, usually family of Rob's, and do a potato bar and put on a nativity play. We draw parts (this year we did do a little casting of particular parts, Luke really wanted to be a wiseman! And we had the perfect Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.) This year I was the camera person and Carol was the narrator.

Hannah, Stina, and Luke (what a surprise) were our wise people! And I must say we have not had such pretty wise ones before!

Sam was our angel and did a magnificent job of it even tho his halo was a little eschew!

Jeff and David were our shepherds (obviously from the blue clan of shepherds) and Mom was our sheep!

Rob was the innkeeper who looked a little native american and Isaac was our donkey when on all fours.

Shelia was Mary and Owen was Joseph.

And little Oliver made his debut in our production as the baby Jesus. He is so cute and laid in the little manager so well until he hit himself in the head with one of his gifts! We love watching the video after and tend to rewind back to previous years and remember those who were with us before and see who has changed the most and grown. It is really quite fun. I look forward to seeing who will be with us next year! Millie

Unexpected Christmas Eve Guests

When we came home from a trip to town on Christmas Eve we had some unexpected guests in our backyard.
Isaac thought he would try to catch one. He did not succeed. It may be because he was wearing my slippers! and could not run.


They belonged to our neighbor across the street. Now we know why the chicken crossed the road! We have better bugs I guess! They ate and clucked about and then went home. Millie

A special day for Renny and Katie

I wish I had a picture for today. We went to the temple with my little brother Renny and his wife Katie. It was their first time through. It was a very special day to be in the temple. My mom and dad work Tuesdays so everyone knew them. And we kept seeing people we knew. Renny's bishop and his wife and the couple that taught them their temple prep classes came from Redmond to be with them. I am so proud of Renny and Katie. They have come a long way and worked hard. I look forward to going back to the temple in April with them as they are sealed to each other and their children. What a blessing the gospel is. What a blessing it is to have a temple near. What a blessing it is to know our families can be sealed together and be literally forever families. Millie

Gingerbread house building.

The Monday before Christmas we had the Hardy family over to build our versions of gingerbread houses. Sam says they are really graham cracker houses. We put all the candy and stuff on the table and let them commence building.

Everyone goes about it a bit differently.

Here is Luke's creation. He thinks more is better. (Don't know where the hat showed up from but he wears it non stop!)

Hannah and David with their creations. We used chocolate grahams for the first time this year to add a little contrast.

Raelynn with her masterpiece. She did a lot of landscaping!

Ainzlee with her house. She went simple after her first one fell down.

Isaac with his house and his little out house on the side.

And then there is Sam. He always takes the longest but always comes away with a beautiful house. We all are amazed with his creativity.

Here it is up close.

Stu had a bit of trouble with his house this year.

He made a little baby Jesus which he gave to Raelynn to put in her yard.

And here they all are together. Our little neighborhood. Well done everyone. Millie

Rob had a birthday!

So, Rob had a birthday on the 2nd. It was a super busy week. It was ward temple night and we were going (I don't know why the Bishop thinks he needs to be there but he does, so I support him in that!) Saturday was suppose to be our ward party but it got bumped to the next week, making it possible for us to go to the Skyview Jazz festival and watch David (his band took 2nd). Sunday was impossible with tithing settlement and the first Presidency Devotional. So, finally on Monday the fifth we celebrated his special day. Unfortunately the camera batteries went dead and we only got these 3 pictures.

Naturally we got one of Stu enjoying the enchiladas.

Rob opening his gifts. We did give him a hard time that he was not sitting on the floor next to the birthday basket. His mom gave him his Dad's hat he bought while in Sweden on their mission.

And this picture of most of the group. Not sure what is happening with Sam here! Happy Birthday Rob!! We love you lots. Millie