LOTS of Christmas pictures

It all began with the tradition of frosting cookies.

 Gram loves this tradition and so do the girls.

 Such concentration.

 What a beauty.  She is growing up.

 A careful worker.

 LOTS of fun.

 Doug and his helper put up the gate over the downstairs  in preparation for the babies.

 B. was the first one to win the heart of the twins.

 Daddy watched over them carefully.

 Christmas morning for us started with H. reading Gram's bible and the Christmas story.

 Jessica made a beautiful and creative book for Sofi and Isak.  She is so talented.,

 Doug and Jess are thinking of how their lives will be changed this next year.

Books

 Toys

 Boots

 An apron

 B. won over the babies first.

 Gram was reminded that Tennessee is important.

 Jess got a new tent.  It holds 6 so there is room for expansion in that family.

 Every child needs a farm set.

 The 'mother to be' is watching

 New shoes

 New boots

 Doug gets the 'puzzle' clues this year for a surprise gift.  He was fast at solving the puzzle.

 We all had fun watching him solve his clues.  We were anxiously waiting this surprise gift.

 It came in a DeWalt box so it had to be good. He now has a new planer.  He has always wanted one of his own so Matt set out to make it happen.

 The driveway needed to be cleared so Matt was up to the afternoon taxk.

 Gram played with the toys and the babies.

 Leo drove over and joined us for the afternoon.

 It warmed up enough to take off jackets and the driveway was cleared of snow.

 Gram was happy with all of her grandchildren  around her.

 A family photo is hard to take when you have babies.

 We tried hard.

 Matt's birthday celebration that evening.

 AND another DeWalt box.  He was thrilled.

 Gram was thrilled too because Isak let her hold him.

 Two sisters together.  It had been a while since they had both been home.

 Sunday we went up to the Powers' lodge for a fun day in the snow.  Isak got a little nourishment before heading out to the hill.

 Bundled up for the snow hill.

 Sofi and Sara are ready too.

 Off they go on their first snowmobile ride.

 Isak and Daddy are checking out the hill.

 B. is ready to go.  She loves sledding AND the ride back up the hill on the snowmobile.

 SO, what do you think?  Should we try to go down the hill?

Everyone was having fun.

 Sara had her hands full.

 Isak and Leo are ready for their first ride.

 Jess and Della didn't go down the hill. I didn't want to risk it with my broken arm and Jess was keeping L.P safe.

 Gram's smile says it all. She is having fun.

 Sofi went down too but not by herself like this picture suggests.  I think someone was pulling her in this picture.

 We took a couple more group shots. 

 What a beautiful day.  It was perfect and full of wonderful memories.  

 Aunt Jess has her special time.

 Isak tries out hot chocolate.  

 Sofi wants some too.  

 B. has the touch with the babies.  She was the only one that both of them would go to.  

 We got all the grandchildren in one picture. 

 We had to include a couple of new baby outfits for the new baby since we found out it would be a girl. 

 Gram bought babies first bathing suit.  I think it will look cute on our first houseboat trip.  

We even had a chance to play Mexican Train one night.  Look at Bud's shirt.  It is a reflective shirt so it looks a little strange in pictures.

YES, YES, we had a wonderful time at Eva's house.  I am so thankful for such a wonderful family and the opportunity to spend the holidays with them.

You have really accomplished something if you made it through this whole post and all the pictures.