Christmas 2012 Part III

This Christmas post is in three posts, in reverse order, so scroll down to part II and part I for the full effect of our celebrations!

Sat. Dec. 29

How long will this snow last?  Better get out and enjoy it while I can!  So ... I put on all my gear and headed out the back of our townhouse to explore the Hilks Lake pond!

I could follow snowmobile tracks or break my own trail.

 I have a cool tripod with bendable legs, so I hung my camera from a tree!

 Looking back at our house - I think it is the second to last one in this row - can you see the hot tub???

 Cool tangled trees.

Heading through the swamp weeds.

Checking out the deerstand - tree house ?

 Some kids are very lucky to have this in their back yard!  there were even footprints out to the ladder, so they must enjoy it year round!

 More odd tree formations - maybe a home for a rabbit?

Back home again - gee, I wonder if the hot tub is ready for me to relax in?  I never did empty it this fall and do my annual cleaning.  Guess I'll pass on a swim and just enjoy the rocker bench.

 Ooops - I've got to be quicker!  Reset the camera on the other edge of the hot tub and try again!

 Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.........

 One more photo op - our newest lighted decoration - Mr. Snowman under the mulberry tree (which also has lights the blink and change colors!)

 I've got to do a better job of hiding the cords next year - it was just too cold the day I set him up.  All I wanted to do was plug him in and head inside!

 See that fuzzy spot?  The camera fell off the electrical post and got a little snow on the lens.  Try, try again!

There we go - much better!  It turns out, as of January 26, this is the only snow we will be getting this winter!  Booo!  Glad I had a chance to enjoy the day.

Christmas 2012 Part II

Dec. 24

We headed home for dinner after the Waterbrooke Christmas Eve Service.  Yum!

 Add some fatigman and mint fudge ice cream pie for dessert - whoa!!!

 There won't bye much left over.  Alison requested pizza or tacos for next year:)

 Time for presents - it's amazing how much is under the tree for just 4 people!  Thanks, everyone.

 Now for some quality family time.

 Gotta check the texts first.

 What game is this    ....   Angry Birds?

I'm just faking - just have to join the crowd.  We DID play dominoes before hitting the sack.

Up and attem'  and check to see what Santa brought.  A golfer ornament for the tree, and Bert the farting hippo from our favorite show - NCIS!

Then breakfast with the girls - homemade waffles with blueberries.  Yum!

We headed to Corey's uptown apartment to connect with the Catlins and Brackens - but the Catlins were on their way home from Illinois.   We're planning a big retirement bash for Pat and Ted later on in February!

Maddox joined us for a short while - just long enough to get in a game of beach volleyball in his room and a chili brunch with fruit, cinnamon rolls, and cookies.  Don't forget the fatigman!

Gee ... more dominoes before we headed to the movies. 

 I think Paul won this round - it must be a Casey thing!

 Late Christmas night I was checking facebook and a friend told me to go look at the moon.  WOW!

Jupiter was clearly visible - wish I had a telescope so I could see the red spot!  What a great way to end the day - being WOWED by God's awesome creation, and reminded of the wonder of his love for us.



Christmas 2012 Part I

Dec. 22

Christie, Paul, Phyllis (our 91 year old neighbor!) and I gathered in the Casey kitchen to make

 fatigman and lefse!

Phyllis had never made fatigman before, and Christie and I are old pros.  Paul is working on the potatoes for the lefse, following Phyllis' nummy recipe.

 Phyllis was in charge during the lefse lesson!

 M-m-m- good!  We only made 12, and they didn't last long.  We'll have to get together again, since Phyllis has to bring all the tools!

Dec. 23

at Mark and Karena's for Casey Christmas

 Scarlett and Jackson added a whole new level of fun to the Casey gatherings this year!  Of course, we enjoyed seeing Annie and Ryan, too.

                                     

 Uncle Tyler is very popular!

The train carried a whole carload of candy.  You've got to be quick to grab one as it goes by.

It's fun to hang out by the fireplace talking to Elaine.

 Alison and Elaine have a very special relationship!  Watch out, Elaine - just wait until the domino game!

Ahh ... here's the newbie, Jackson and mom.

Grandpa Bob (G-bob) gets plenty of Jackson time.

Cousins Brenner, Callen, Alison, Tyler's girlfriend Samantha, and Karena find a spot near the food:)

                                     

A very popular spot, it seems - Brenner, Phil, Drew, Anna, and Callen.

The brothers Paul, Bob, Phil, and Mark all open special cards from Elaine with a remembrance of Roger.

Aha!  Let's get to the shite elephant gift exchange.  Who gets the best (or worst) present in the pile?  Brenner and Mark go over the rules.

 

Nice hat - first gift opened.  Will he get to keep it?

Hmmm ... Brenner wants it.

 

Nope - Alison???   No way!

 

Drew shares his prize - a jigsaw puzzle of the world.  All the nerds congregate!

 

Wrap up the evening with a game of dominoes - Alison and Elaine enjoy the competition.  Who won?  Alison, of course!