Nearly there ...

Busily working to catch up we're nearly there - I know this will come as a huge surprise. 

And because we're (ok that would be me) a bit compulsive about dates I'm including the links here just in case you haven't scrolled down to check out the new and improved posts for Thanksgiving, Our Visit with Tami & Jay, Fun with Winter Birds, Musical Tubes, and Christmas Celebrations. 

Before you know it we'll have the New Year's party posted and we'll be caught up and ready to get back to a little quieter life -- yeah SURE!

Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours

I grew up on Peanuts and so I may be a little biased, but no one says Merry Christmas better.

Christmas in Going, Going, Gone!

It's been a whirlwind of a holiday season and I can't believe it's nearly over. We had a great time and we're blessed to spend it with so much family and friends. 

Picked and set up the trees and all of the decorations in record time (yes we are one of the few people left on the planet who still puts up real Christmas trees), tried some new recipies for the traditional progressive Christmas dinner (which I have no pictures of ... more slacking), made it to see Santa in the mall (look for those pictures coming soon), spent a Sunday playing musical tubes, made it over to Kiddie Kandids for Christmas pictures (at practically the last minute), delivered peach jam ALL over the neighborhood, celebrated Christmas with Shawn's family and then headed over to Aunt Jeni and Uncle Brendan's house and spent new year's eve with our good friends. 

-{Cole's new favorite game is to toss himself backward now that he's getting better and stronger and sitting up more}-

We missed Shawn's sister and her family this year and of course Grandpa Steve and Grandma Rosy. Hopefully we'll get a chance to see them this up coming year. 

As promised ... The Cousins Go Country

Well we knew it was only a matter of time ... 

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Not that it is any less enjoyable!

Catching Up ... Please stand by

Work has been absolutely insane this year. Oct - Dec is typically my busiest time (we have our federal regulators in for their annual exam) but this year was even more intense. And I'm catching up ... Thank goodness between my pictures, pictures from friends and family we'll have lots to fill this blog back up. Especially since I'm home for a few weeks recovering. 

In the mean time, not to be outdone - look for the rest of the cousins in their Country Jamboree... 

76 Trombones ... or Big Musical Tubes

Nearly every month Grandma Jacquie's family gets together for as a big extended family for some good old fashioned fun and this month was no exception except for we had even more folks in town for the holidays. 

Amee taught us a new game using (hitting) simple yet colorful plastic tubes cut at different lengths and widths to produce the musical scale. Holding up the poster with only the notes and colors depicted we had to 'play' the notes and guess the tune. Luckily Mel kept us on track (pointing and then calling out the letters by the end of the night!)

Some were much better at it - both the playing and the guessing, but Jeff led the group in correctly guessing the tune.

It was a lot of fun and amazingly we could even hear the tune, especially the second time through. 

Great game Amee & thanks for hosting us Peggy. Way to put the pressure on us for next month! See how Cole's trying to think about how we'll ever top this one. 

More Birds Needed

It's been snowing like crazy here - even more so around our neighborhood. It's really taken us all by surprise, even the birds. So they've been scavengering the decorative pear trees out front for the little berry-looking buds. 

That works out well since it significantly reduces the clean up in the spring. (notice the significantly reduced amount of berries all within a matter of minutes!!)

However, this season as the trees have gotten bigger with more 'fruit' we have more birds - LOTS more birds. 

 [the cats are about 18 years old and pretty lazy these days but apparently a thousand or so birds gets them up and moving again ... good to know]

We were kicking around the house when we heard all of the clammer of the birds and decided to give the cats a thrill and bring them into the kitchen for a 'birds eye view' - you knew I had to say it. As you can see it was a big hit. The cats sat at the table for nearly an hour watching, leaning, and reaching as the birds swooped in and past them at the table.

Even Tucker got into the act.  

Disco Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

We caught this secret video of Grandpa Steve rehersing the big Christmas Special with all of his grandchildren ... we think it's good enough for Radio City Music Hall ... but we might be a little biased. Enjoy!!

[Thanks to Erin for introducing us to this fun link!!]

A Saturday Romp Around Town

With the holiday just kicking off we got to spend the first the first Saturday in December with Tami, Jay, Shaylee, and Grandpa Dan. Nick was recovering from a cold and spent the day at home this time. 

As in the past, Paradise Bakery hosted the event (although I don't think they knew that). And we scored a few cookies afterwards so everyone is a winner. pictures from the visit. and nearly forgot to take pictures ... Thanks Tami!!

Unfortunately Cole has decided recently to adjust his nap schedule and slept through nearly the whole meeting. As always, it was a nice time to catch up with everyone especially Dan since he wasn't able to make the party in the park last summer. 

     

I should point out that the pictures are a bit deceiving as far as Cole being awake as he really was awake at the END of visit. Tami and Jay & clan were in good spirits about it - that little guy can typically sleep just about any place - lucky him!!

Thankfully Tami was on the ball and took and forwarded most of the pictures from the visit. Shawn and I spent visit chatting and nearly forgot to take any pictures -- Thanks Tami (too bad she didn't come later that night with our couples party ... absolutely no pictures of that event ... trust us, fun was had by all until we were kicked out of the joint by the old miner at the Prairie Schooner)

See you all soon.