Christmas Craft

 Ethnie loves to craft.  

She is definitely her mother's daughter

 And Steph has some fun crafts to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Magic

My Friend the Squash

Duke got really attached to this squash.

 He hauled it around like a favorite stuffed animal.

But Steph wouldn't let him take it to be with him.

Dancing with Pa

This little Princess was in heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

Pa was pretty happy too.

Wagon time.

With the little people here getting to the gym or out running was a challenge.  But the little people had their own ideas on how to give Grammy and Pa a workout.  And they made sure we did it everyday!

 We had one little wagon that was meant to store mega-blocks but Duke was sure it was meant for him.  But one wagon and two kids was cause for contention.  So we found a quick solution.  The mop bucket.

 

 Around and around and around we would go. 

 Then we'd reverse and go the other direction.

 

 What a life!

 Then pulling piggy was the thing to do.

 

 

 Uh-0h.  One piggy...two kids

 Mine.

 

 No...it's mine!

 Okay.  I will pull your wagon.

...without you!

 Around and around and around!

 And when Pa and Grammy were all tucked out

...Ethnie found other friends that needed a wagon ride.

Happy 64th Karl

Wow...that sounds old.  That is old!   Any more birthdays with just Karl and me are pretty low-key.  Guess we are just old and tired.    So having Steph and the little people here for Karl's birthday brought our celebration up a notch or two.  Steph always goes the extra mile.

 

 The festivities started first thing in the morning

...with just trying to get out of the bedroom.

 Even the Elves got involved

 

 Steph was working that day so the real party couldn't start until she got home.

 Pa wanted angel food cake with whip cream and fruit

...but it still needed candles to blow out.

Ethnie took care of that .

 She was also a big help unwrapping Pa's gifts.

When you get so old it's good to have extra help.

And little people help is he best kind.

The Live Nativity

I love to start out our Christmas season by attending the Live Nativity put on by the Red Rock Stake. It had been several years since we had been so Steph and I made it a priority. Pa had another obligation so we drop Duke at the Noorda's....dressed for sub-zero weather and drove across Vegas.    We were hoping the first showing on the first night would be the least crowded...WRONG.  It was crazy. This event get more popular every year.   Thankfully Steph's good friends had arrived earlier and we slipped in with them.   It was a beautiful evening (and we were way over dressed!  Did we forget we live in Vegas?) 

 

Ethnie enjoyed the whole performance

But her favorite part was petting the sheep afterward.

For more Photos and detail see Steph's Blog

Home...with the little people.

After Thanksgiving and a few more days in Nashville to get packed up...Steph and the little people flew back to Vegas with me.   This gave Jake a couple weeks to study and take his finals and not worry about neglecting his family.   They were in Vegas having fun with Grammy and Pa.

The first order of business was to get ready for Christmas.

 

 I don't enjoy assembling our tree...so I was  glad Steph was ready to tackle the job.

Ethnie was happy to help by decorating the little trees

 There is always a string or two that works fine

...until you get them on the tree. 

 

So frustrating.

 Ta-da...Ethnie's trees are done.

 Duke wants to help too.

 Now to put the ornaments on the big tree.

 This year we went simple...apples, birds and red berries. 

 Nothing the little hands couldn't hold or play with.

But Duke decided that the red berries looked tasty

 

...so they moved up out of reach on the tree.

 .

So much good help.

 Luckily Eli  found his way to our house

It must have been a very tiring trip from Santa's workshop.

After a few days Simon joined him.

 Both Pa and Ethnie were so glad to be back together

so they resume their ritual cookies and milk before bedtime .

Hmmmm...good.

Steph's Blog of this activity.