Christmas at my house

Well, better late than never, I have pictures from the Norstad family Christmas, ie, My family.

We got together at our home on Boxing day and had a really nice day together.

It was such a beautiful day to wake up to- foggy and frosty outside.

Here are the kids singing their hearts out so Santa hears them and comes to the party.

It worked. Santa showed up with a few presents for the little kids and a few big kids

Here we are huddled in our family groups to open presents. Gone are the days when we took turns, each opening one present at a time. We muscled our way through the ribbons and packaging and left a mess all throughout the house.

Logan was very excited to get a Darth Vadar action figure from movie VI. (ask him- he knows ) And Chesney was thrilled with all the Monster High Dolls she recieved.

After gift opening and clean up- the Adults went upstairs to play some cards when Chesney came up and said "Come downstairs, We have a play to do for you" I got a little teary-eyed remembering 30 years ago my sister and cousins doing the exact same thing for our parents.

And sweet little Annabelle is cute as always trying to keep up with her older cousins

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season and has a wonderful 2011!

Christmas day with the Jahnke's

We spent Christmas day at Duey's Dad's house with Duey's brother and family. We had a nice quite day playing games and the kids playing in the snow.

Chesney recieved some Monster High dolls for Christmas and was excited to share them with her cousin, Livia

Logan and Evan had a good time hanging out

Grandpa Roland and the kids

The kids took turns trying on Rolands old glasses and we came up with some interesting looks
Darren took on the look of someone that still lives in his parents basement.

Chesney attempted the sophisticated look

And Logan- Well, he is just the cute nerd

We had a great time hanging out and are looking forward to Dueys other brother and family arriving this week from Texas for a visit.

Christmas is here!!!

Christmas has finally arrived- after much baking, decorating, snow shovelling and present shaking, we can finally celebrate the day.

We spent Christmas Eve at home and had a nice quiet evening, we went to Church for the candlelight service, opened a few presents and roasted a duck.
it was an enjoyably, quiet night

We made some food for the reindeer and sprinkled it on the snow. It is a mixture of oatmeal and red and green colored sugar.

The next morning we dove into our stockings

The kids noticed Santa nibbled on his cookie a bit

Snow, Snow and More Snow

I do believe we have shovelled enough snow now. The banks on each side of the driveway are now taller than Duey. Bringing it a couple of feet higher then in the picture below. It has become quite the effort to hoist the snow over our shoulders and on top of the bank.

The drifts are high and mighty in places

Keep working it, Du- I need to get to the market

But the kids are sure enjoying it, so can I really complain all that much?

Ornaments I love

I probably overdo it with the ornaments on my tree, but I love it- and so many of them have a special place in my heart or are attached to a special memory

This ornament has a flower painted on it called the Waratah flower. This flower is the state flower of New South Wales and I saw many of them while on my hike in Tasmania.

My Aunt Deb, working for Inga Glas, makes my Christmas every year with a special one of these blown glass, German made little lovelies

I love them so

I don't know how but after Justin and Mandy's wedding I ended up taking about 25 of these home with me. So if you didn't get one for your tree, tough- they were everywhere, you had your chance. They look fab on my tree.

Awesome trip to a great place

Isn't he cute?

and lovable little me!

A Christmas tour

I do so love Christmas and decorating my house. We never did get lights on the outside before it got to cold and snowy- but I do enjoy the decorations in my house. Take a look: