Christmas Eve morning at Mom & Dad'sChristmas Photographs - 2011
Updated: 01/17/12
Christmas Eve morning at Mom & Dad's
Christmas Eve evening at Scott and Melanie's
To Michelle's Sunday to see gifts
New Year's Eve
New Year's Day Lunch
Mary
Lou entertained Ashlyn and Lily with a craft project on a day they stayed
with us. She enjoyed watching them put together the gingerbread house kits.
Lily put hers under our Christmas tree to dry.
Christmas Eve morning we begin our Holiday festivities. The Michigan part of the family always has a great time starting at about 10:00am. We won't mention eating too many of the traditional snacks available.
Our
Christmas tree looked a little different this year. For the first time, Mary Lou
did not place the traditional and historic lead tinsel on her tree. Usually,
each year she
places each strand of tinsel on the tree and removes them individually when she
take the tree down. She says next year
she expects to use the tinsel again.
Regardless
of your age, a stocking is under the tree for you.
The order of things, unwrap the gifts in the socks first, then the other gifts. Oh yes, you have to take turns.
This
was voted the cutest wrapping paper.
So
both could enjoy the surprise, if the gift is the same size, shape and etc,
they sat back-to-back while opening them.
These 'slipper boots' will come in handy during the cold nights at the cottage.
Michelle
received season 1 & 2 of the Big Bang Theory.
Lily's chair was in a big box. But it was worth the effort of unwrapping it. It was a big hit with Lily.
Too many gifts? Never!
Hey, look what I got.
The girls are old enough to appreciate clothes as gifts.
Did
we say Lily liked her chair?
Scott
is still adjusting to Christmas in our family.
Before
and after photographs of their cottage.
Lily was the first one at the table for the traditional assortment of lunch items. Gift opening can make you hungry.
Christmas Eve evening we went to Scott and Melanie's for snacks and more gifts.
This time, the gathering includes 'Uncle' Bruce and 'Aunt' Kathy for a gift exchange with our local family. Fred 's family visits Bruce and Kathy when they are in town between Christmas and New Years Day.
Melanie and Scott had two Christmas trees this year - one in the living room and one in the family room.
Steve had brought the before-during-after photograph of the cottage. Lily and Mary Lou played a thumb game.
The guys watched the Lions football game. The gals talked in the living room. Later, Kathy and Melanie compared iPad apps.
Ah, finally . . . the gift exchange.
The bear bathroom set for the cottage . . .
Snow shovels for the cottage . . .
. . . looks like fun ahead.
Melanie looked something up on her iPad.
During the evening, we had to tune in the Santa report on TV.
He is a busy guy.
Christmas
Day our children are where they belong, with their families. It is especially
important when the grandchildren are young.
Our Christmas Dinner was very sad - our traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings turned into a Cornish hen with all the trimmings. Well, that was Fred's opinion.
We chose to enjoy a quiet day at home. It is nice to relax after the busy days leading up to the celebration.
We went to see Ashlyn and Lillian's gifts from Santa.
As is tradition, the day after Christmas, we go to Michelle and Steve's to see what the girls received for Christmas Day.
Lily is such a big tease, Fred had to catch her with the doll and beauty chair. No posing for this one today.
Ashlyn playing with her new iPod . . .
The
new doll house is wired with electricity.
Ashlyn reached in to turn the bedroom lights on.
Are these hats fashion statements ... or ... ???
This
year's visit included dinner in the 'formal' dinning room. Up until this year,
it was a downstairs playroom for the girls. When they were younger, it was very
nice having a room where they could play closer to their mom and dad's watchful
eyes.
Caitlin
arrived in Michigan with enough money to buy an iPad. Mom and Dad had agreed to
help with some accessories. She was so excited.
Can you tell by the smile that her visit to the Apple Store was a success?
Becky, thanks for the photograph.
Our next Christmas gathering was with Fred's family.
We
are fortunate to have the 'Indiana family' make the trip to Michigan to join in
some of the festivities. We're sure it isn't just for the gifts and New Years
Day Dinner.
The Christmas celebration at Grandpa and Grandma's is the morning after they arrive. Of course, a sock for everyone tradition is repeated.
A
tradition we have not talked about in the past, is wading up the wrapping paper
after it is removed into a ball and attempting to hit the wrapping paper trash
can. Here Nick shows his perfect form.
Such
fun pulling all the gifts from under the tree . . .
. . . and, sharing what you received with the rest of the family.
Ah,
tools for the office . . .
Unwrapping can be exhausting ... or ... it is taking Dad too long to open his
gift.
Clothes are now appreciated.
Nick is a Colts fan. And, what girl isn't a clothes fan!
And, for mom - a new set of kitchen knives. Wow!
And, for dad - a tool set for the house.
Caitlin spent a lot of time with her iPad during their stay with us.
Nick spent a lot of time wishing he was older and could have one of those neat
things. Caitlin let him use it a few times.
His mother let him play with her iPhone every once in a while to
relieve some of the pain.
New Year's Eve . . .
We have tried to decide how long this tradition has been practiced. We can't remember. Let's just say a long time.
Good conversation . . . A good video . . . Great food . . .
Fred Mary Lou Walt Linda Ted Carol Bruce Kathy
A
New Year's Day
lunch of sauerkraut and ribs is another tradition
in our family.
Fred's family tradition of baby back ribs and sauerkraut for New Year's Dinner goes back at least 70 years. Maybe over 100 years. It was his grandmother's responsibility when he was young, then his mother's, now ours.
The dinner draws the entire family including Fred's aunt and uncle from Toledo.
Our New Years Dinner crowd . . .
Our . . . three + three.
Scott Melanie
Michelle Steve
Fred
Becky
Our four grandchildren . . .
Ashlyn Caitlin Lily Nick
Our three + three + Mary Helen and Irv
We hope you had a joyous Holiday Season. We did.