Christmas Eve 2016

We hosted Christmas Eve this year. Terri and the boys came over for a couple of hours before they headed over to Dave's family for Christmas Eve.

Colin enjoying Papa's trains.

The McNutt's and Baerwaldt's came for Christmas Eve. We first played Wits and Wagers for families and had a lot fun with that. Then we had soup and braided bread for dinner.

After dinner we gathered to sing Christmas songs and get in the spirit of Christmas. After we each chose a favorite song to sing we watched the Nativity on video. Then we had a yummy dessert made by Cindy.

Cindy at the piano.

 Allan and Margaret

 David, Daniel, Jackson, Crystal, Amber

 Garrison, David, Daniel

 Crystal and Jackson

 Allan, Amber and Margaret

 The Yule Log Dessert.

Gingerbread house building with Nathan and Brady

Nathan and Brady came and spent the day with us on Wednesday, December 21, 2016. We decided to make gingerbread houses with them. They loved building their houses!

Mom's 90th Birthday Celebration December 19, 2016

 For Mom's 90th birthday celebration most of the siblings gathered in Meridian, Idaho for the celebration. I arrived Saturday afternoon, along with my brother, Dave. Saturday, December 17th also happened to be my parents 67th wedding anniversary. Margaret arrived that evening with her two daughters, Crystal and Amber.

We relived a childhood memory by making doughnut holes just like mom did when we were growing up. They turned out just how I remembered them when mom made them. We used her recipe!

Enjoying the doughnut holes!

Dave and Julie

Terri and Dad

Dave and Mom

Mom use to use a paper sack to shake and coat the doughnut holes with cinnamon and sugar. We didn't have a paper sack so we used a ziplock bag.

Wendy is doing the honors!!

On Monday we had our first celebration with a pizza party!!

 Tyler, Margaret, Wendy, Terri and Travis

Dad, Mom, Crystal, Sarah, Amber and Dave.

Mom opening some presents and enjoying herself.

Just a picture of the ice on the drainage chain at the Fraziers.

 Wendy spent many hours planning mom's birthday celebration and did an amazing job!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

There were games and puzzles to play and make. Mom's favorite pastime is puzzle building!

Terri and Sarah

 Amber

 Margaret

 Wendy and Mom

 Julie and Mom

 Mom and Dad

Thanksgiving at the Dickson Cabin 2016

This year for Thanksgiving we gathered at the Dickson cabin in Cold Springs, CA

Our son in law (Dave Griffith) suggested we gather at the cabin this year. The cabin is his grandparents and they let family and friends use it year round. Dave reserved it for us that weekend. We arrived on Wednesday afternoon along with the Griffith's. Allan and I stopped at Cover's Apple ranch and picked up the pies. Dutch apple, Tri berry and Mile high apple pie. (so yummy) Cindy brought a delicious chocolate pie. The McNutt's and Baerwaldt's joined us on Thursday for the feast and spent the night. We stayed at the cabin until Saturday. We cleaned, packed up and left after lunch and headed to Twain Harte Christmas tree farm where we encountered rain then hail and finally snow. It was quite the adventure.

There was a bit of snow at the cabin when we arrived.

Colin

We spent a lot of time playing games.

Allan, Brady and Nathan

Papa and Colin

Nathan

Mile High Apple Pie!!

Twain Harte Christmas Tree Farm

The snow was so beautiful falling.