Christmas Party Time 2012

Vilseck Health Clinic Holiday lunch and party

There was the biggest white elephant gift exchange... over 45 people opening presents, fighting over the liquor, and trying to get rid of their junk. We were lucky to take home a sweet firetruck pinata and a plastic fighting robot. The kids each got to sit on the "young" santa and Brecon's face is pretty classic-- I'm grumpy!

As you can see, baby girl was pretty tired from all the excitement and didn't make it to the end. It was nice to have a gathering with everyone from the clinic and get to know them better, at least who would like to drink more than others :)

GRAF Ward Church Dinner and Party

I loaded up the boys and baby to help decorate and set up for the evenings activities. Dinner started and I had made sure everyone got their plate of food before sitting down myself. Brielle was handed around the room, Brecon waited to get a plate with me, and Connor and Cael were already running around the room chasing girls after eating a roll and plenty of goodies. A couple of people kept asking "where is Ben?" and frankly I didn't know. I had even left a bright pink note before heading out the door which said "at the church party- meet us there". Finally our friend, who is also named Ben, answered his phone from a caller. It was my Ben wondering where his wife and children were. This is the funny part. He got home right after I had left, set his keys and hat RIGHT ON TOP OF MY NOTE... and started eating a snack and reading a book while he waited for his family to get home- f rom wherever they were! He was pretty cute about the whole thing, and would have won the ugliest sweat contest, but his entry was past judgement time OH WELL!

Making Rosettes and goodies plates to take to the Neighbors

Ben and Cael had a great system of making Rosette cookies together. A great family tradition kept alive!

I love this picture. Ben is in charge of the game while the boys watch. Our smallest guys falls asleep while the other two are wide awake. Is this father/son bonding?

 

Sorghof Program in the Forest

Our village does a neat presentation with singing and acting in the forest. I love the German songs about the Christmas nativity story. There is also a big bonfire with sausages and kinderpunch, potato pancakes and rolls. We found these two crazy guys and had them over to our house that night for games and goodies.

CHRISTMAS

We spent Christmas Eve at home, a quiet time of reading and scriptures, stories and poems in the candlelight. The boys were starting to get really excited, but surprisingly enough they fell asleep really fast! We didn't wake up until 7:30 when we heard the baby stirring upstairs and we had to wake up the boys. I sure love not waking up too early... I will enjoy this time while I can!

Stockings and gifts from Santa

CONNOR and his New BIKE!

 He is quite the rider and the weather was perfect for taking it out on a FIRST RIDE!

It was also neat to talk and see our families in Wyoming and see how their holiday was. It was almost dinner time and we were still in our pajamas! Gotta love the holiday relaxing time!

FAMILY PHOTO at the end of the day. I LOVE how we were all together this year!

Winter Fun

Cael had a "Poetry and Pie" activity in his class. They read different Christmas poems and sang a few songs followed by tons of sweet treats that the parents brought in. I enjoyed watching him read and sing along, even if I could see only half the time. There were other kids blocking my view... it was still a good time.

 This was the first (and so far the last) time we went sledding. SO MUCH FUN! The kids all had a blast and even though the snow wasn't optimal, everyone still had a great time. Cael was hiking to the very top with two other boys, but on the way down he always lost his sled and was seen running after it like a wild man. We were pretty shocked when this happened not once, but 3 or 4 times. Crazy kid!

I hate folding socks! So after about 2 months worth and everyone in the house complaining about not having any to wear... we finally tackled the job and had a little fun while we were at it. It was amazing how many socks have, way too many!

BOWLING NIGHT

 The family enjoyed a bowling trip, along with a couple of young men on a snowy night. Connor has such a furious look yelling at his ball to knock over the pins, makes me laugh at his tiny body and his intensity.

I almost beat Ben tonight! Too bad his score was higher in the end.