Christmas

We had a wonderful three days of Christmas, starting Saturday when we had lunch with Steve's sister Linda, niece Joanna and grandnieces Janelle and Allison, and Nancy, too.

Christmas Eve we went to Des and Gabe's, and took some nice family photos in front of the tree.

We missed Kelly, who was sick with food poisoning.

Des had a fun game where you had to bounce the ping pong ball into a muffin tin.

It was much harder than it looks, Papa and Colin never did get one in.

Colin during the gift exchange, he got car wash items.

Opening presents.

Kaitlyn and her Squishmallow kitty.

Josie was so sweet, she kept busy playing with her toys.

 They played a wildly competitive game of spoons, it came down to Macee vs. Dan, with Dan winning.

Our last minute laundry room selfie with Gabe and Des.

The kids came over for our traditional Christmas breakfast this morning, then we ran down to Camas to deliver gifts we forgot to send home with Charb and the girls last night.

We were back over at Gabe and Des' for a delicious turkey dinner later.  Rielee showed us her new snow board.

 

Christmas season

Little Hattie watching the characters sing (a distraction when she's nervous about Uncle) - it won't be long before she's crawling.

Josie came over after school Friday wearing her pj's-it was pajama day.  She made some crafts for Grandma and Papa, then got a candy cane off the tree, the girl loves candy canes.

Making gingerbread men, although no one but Papa likes them, the decorating was still fun.

Rielee said she was filled with nostalgia when she looked in the play room closet for an old Monopoly game.  She came out with the Tumbling Monkeys game and they played a couple of intense, laughter-filled games.  

 

Hodges and Gourde girls

So glad to get some visits with Josie and Hattie since Emmy has returned to work and they're with Grandma.

Josie really likes Legos now.

Hattie is so strong.  It's cute to see her on her tummy - she pushes up her chest and kicks her legs furiously trying to crawl.

Ava and Harper worked on some Christmas house kits Saturday.

Today Papa cut some tree shapes for them to stain and decorate for Mom's porch.

I got them a Marvel Lego Advent calendar and let them do it all today since we aren't sure when they'll get back up here.  Ava was so excited to get a Loki's throne but disappointed when there was no Loki included.

 

Thanksgiving

The only picture I took on Thanksgiving was this one of Sadie helping Rielee play 31.  Des and Gabe made a delicious dinner, it was quieter, just the five of us but Allissa and Parker came later for dessert.

 

Making wreaths

Steve and Nancy working on a wreath while Katelyn reads on her phone.

Des hosted a fun wreath-making party on Saturday.

Harper's face in this picture!

Sadie cooperated for a cute pic.

And cute little Hattie entertained us.

Harper was happy with her finished wreath.

The girls spent the night and worked with clay,  making some little animals and Ava made me mushroom earrings.

 

Veterans Day, ceramics

Thursday the girls invited us to their school Veteran's Day program.  Kelly got them out of class early so we could visit and look around a little before it started.  This picture is in the commons area.

Ava sitting in Kelly's chair.

My favorite part of the program was the group of ASL students signing the National Athem as the band played above.

The girls came home with us for the long weekend.  We made cookies and

Harper made a special one for Papa's birthday.

Saturday we went to The Nest in Kelso and painted ceramics.

It was lots of fun and we appreciated the kind, helpful women that work there.

Sunday we tried paint pouring again, they were happy with the results.