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| This year's tree with gifts! |
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| Cozy Candlelight |
So Christmas-Ing is done at the homestead for another gear. Well mostly. We celebrated with the kids on Saturday night, then with my Dad, brothers and their families last night. I am incredibly tired today and overslept making me 1/2 hour date for work, whoops!
But it was so worth every single minute. To have the whole family gathered in one place celebrating together is humbling. I love it! Reminds me of years gone and how important family is!.I had a gift for everyone, even though we drew names.I just can't stand not buying for my family. My Mama was such a giver and it appears she has (thankfully) passed it on to me.
The tree was all lit up and the candles were burning, giving a beautiful glow to the whole house and making is smell just lovely. Everyone was in such a good mood and enjoying each other's company.
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| I think Princess loved her One Direction CD from her brother |
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| Honey had a few surprises for me! |
I did forget to get anything for Dad and Bonnie! I was going to get them a gift card to a local restaurant but it slipped my mind in the rush up to our celebration. I'm not sure if that is my subconscious or what but I really did feel bad! Normally I buy Dad a Calendar and put all the birthdays and anniversaries on it. I even forgot that.
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| Princess got Honey his Marvin the Martian Hat! |
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| Princess and Cookie each got Tablets - I think she liked hers! |
Of course every family dinner or gathering has mishaps. This Year the dinner rolls were left in the kitchen and the Cranberries only made it to one table (out of 3.) But that is the worst it got, thankfully.
Last night was filled with talking and lots of laughter! Good food, candlelight, and wine! After a delicious meal of ham and Grandpa's meatballs, with mashed potatoes and gravy, salads, lefse, cranberries and sweet potatoes, we cleared the table while trying to cheer our beloved Packers to a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. They didn't win but it wasn't for lack of trying on our part
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| Having a Great Christmas! |
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| Stealing Presents! Nice Shooting Stick! |
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| Auntie says its a Musical Instrument! |
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| Matching Hats! |
After the football game it was present time. A few people only had one gift but in our family there is a long standing tradition of "Santa" Gifts. If someone pulls a boneheaded stunt throughoutthe year, they are likely to get a gift Under the tree from Santa. They get pretty creative and so does the wrapping. The year Honey broke his collarbone in the motorcycle safety class he received training wheels from Santa. And my sister in law got a can of "Fix A Flat" the year she ran over the boat anchor. It's all in fun and the memories these gifts create are priceless. There isn't anything quite like getting your own work boots back 5 years after you lent them out
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| Dad and his wife |
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| Wood Burning kit - Awesome! |
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| Best Gift of the Night! A Case of Mt. Dew, each Can Individually Wrapped! |
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| Gifts Waiting to be Napped! |
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| Happy Laughter! |
We all played a dice game involving white elephant gifts that left us all battling in fun for the same box or bag!
A few rounds of scattergories on the living room floor! Watching heads bowed together, laughing at their own answers and howling in protest when it was voted down! I'm so glad the cousins are close in age. Only 10 years separates the youngest from the oldest and they an love each other dearly!
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| Scattergories with the cousins |
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| Silly! |
It was a great holiday, spent with those I love most!
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day found Honey and I home alone. Sounds far worse than it was! The kids went to their dad's in Minneapolis on Monday while I was at work and managed to get there between snow storms.
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| Snow Church on Christmas Eve |
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| Snow on the Birch - Christmas Day |
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| Berries in snow - Christmas Day |
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| Birdhouse Art |
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| My Homemade Bird feeder with Cranberries, Oranges and Birdseed |
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| Mrs. Cardinal getting a snack and taking shelter from the snow. |
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| Mr. Nuthatch enjoying the homemade bird feeder |
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| Time to Play Frisbee in the fresh snow |
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| Her favorite game! |
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| Luna having a blast! |
It started snowing Christmas Eve morning and didn't quit until Christmas Day afternoon. Cookie had to drive home late Christmas Day but the roads were clear by then.
Luna and I snuck out in the afternoon on Christmas Day to take these pictures and play in the new snow!
I truly hope that this Christmas finds the Christ Child in your heart, Family in your home, Food on your table and Love surrounding you....
Merry Christmas from our Little Homestead!
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God's many blessings on you!
Sheila