Saturday, 3 January 2015

CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES

 Since we had our decorating done early we decided to have a
few more people over this year.
 Two weeks before Christmas we had 45 people in on 4 different occasions.
 Brunch with some girl friends.
 
Ready for supper!
 Soups, breads and dessert with our church staff.
 
We ordered in Thai for our small group Christmas party.  
 Gift exchange
Prep for our family turkey dinner on the 25th.  
Peeling the potatoes and
mashing potatoes.
Kept them warm in the crock pot.
Turkey, stuffing and veggies in oven.  
 
Time for the pickle search.
We began a new tradition a few years back.
I found the pickle ornaments in Frankenmuth, MI and
every time the grandchildren come down after my trees are
up, they get to look for the pickles. We have a small gift for each
of them when they find them. It is a look but do not touch game
and they are really good at spotting the pickles.
 
Chris hid them this time - each in their own area -  but they all found them.  
 
 
 
 
Lunch done, it is time to open gifts.
Ron unpacking a special gift he had picked out when we were in
Ontario this fall. For many years he has had his eyes on an 
International 560 tractor - one like he used growing up.
He resisted buying it but Chris took a picture of it
and when Lori & Chris returned to St Jacob's Antique mall,
they purchased it for him.
He was quite surprised and very pleased.
 
 Activity and craft gifts for Michayla!
We gave the family a lot of painting and
craft supplies to keep them busy.
They all draw well and with musical and
artistic parents, they need little encouragement
to use these gifts.
 The boys got to play with the trains Ron picked up in a
toy auction in Shipshewana on our travels this fall.
 
They also got some farm machinery for their sand box as
well as helicopters. 
 
 
Michayla trying out her new snow shoes.
Ready for mother daughter camp. 
 Supper was simple - we were going to do
hot dogs in the fireplace but opted for dogs on
the barbeque. It was warm enough outside - just a hoodie needed.
 
Headed out to Winkler on the 26th for the extended Wieler gathering.
 
Then spent New Year's eve with our camping group.
Actually stayed up till midnight!!!!
January 1
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RON!
67
and counting!
Headed to Winkler to celebrated with his siblings.
Irene treated us to Chinese and
then coffee and goodies at her house.
A good way to start the year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

PRE CHRISTMAS HAPPENINGS

Taking down the gazebo after the first snow fall.
It had it's last season. Time to consider what to replace it with.
 
A November wedding!
 
The happy couple


 
 
Celebrating mom's 90th birthday. Pizza & chicken - one of her favourites.


 
Winnipeg's revolving restaurant is again open.
We were treated to lunch out at Prairie 360.
A few pictures from the top as we did a complete
revolution in an hour.
The Forks
The new Human Rights Museum, Via Rail building and
The Provencher Bridge.
 
 
 Enjoying Phil Callaway
A Laugh Again Christmas
 
 
Celebrating a 12th birthday
 
Happy Birthday Jayden!
Working on the model.
Recital time.
Both voice and piano!


 
And a ringette game.
Michayla has been playing and improving
a lot in the past few months.

They had a special day with some of
the National team (I think it was).
Fun experience for them.
 
Chris made it home for nearly 3 weeks this Christmas.
No snow in KW so he extended his stay till the 28th.
He helped with the train set up the boys were getting
this Christmas. It will stay at our house for now.  
 
 
Ron doing some fine tuning before putting it into storage.
 
We did a fair bit if baking and entertaining this year but
managed to enjoy a few puzzles.
 
 
 
Good to have a break! 
One of the puzzles we did. 
My second Christmas cactus put on a huge display of flowers!

 Great grandma and our three grandchildren.