Christmas in CA

We had a wonderful family time with Laurel, Lars, Luke and Leah from December 22 through December 31. When we arrived the weather was beautiful - in the upper 60's and lower 70's the entire time we were there. Our first day we rested from the journey and took the kids to the park to play.

Christmas eve was busy with preparations - wrapping gifts, preparing food, playing with the kids, enjoying being with family. We went to a nearby church for a Christmas eve service and Lars made a traditional lasagna for dinner.

Christmas morning began by opening stocking gifts. Luke and Leah were excited about each and every gift, so it was a lot of fun.






Lars had Luke's help to open his stocking and found money inside!



Then it was on to the pile of gifts beneath the tree. The kids wanted to stop and play with each gift as it was opened. We could have been at it all day!

The umbrellas were definitely a hit!

Another super fun gift was from Daniel for Luke - a rocket launcher. The kids played with it inside, then moved outside with it. After losing a few rockets to the neighboring yards, they found the perfect launch site - the front porch. Note Leah's astronaut attire - a princess dress and snow boots!

Leah got some bandaids in her stocking, so later in the day she "fixed" Pop-pop's hand with a princess bandaid. He looks like he feels so much better!

Christmas at Home

We will be in California for Christmas, so we celebrated with Kat, Jason, Daniel and Abby a week early.

It really felt like Christmas for me. We woke up to a light dusting of snow on the ground. The stockings were hung on the mantel and presents were piled in front of the fireplace (our tree is in the entrance hall). Daniel was so excited. He really made it fun for all of us!

First Peek - "There's presents down there!"

Daniel decided to start right in. This was Pop-pop's gift, however, so he had to stop and wait...

His first gift was a Hess truck from Pop-pop. He would have just played with that one all day!

Rich prepared a true Christmas feast for us. He made herb-crusted beef tenderloin, Yorkshire puddings and a potato flan. We had a strawberry salad and a beautiful strawberry cheesecake that Rich made for dessert.

After dinner the guys hung out watching a football game. Abby joined Pop-pop for a little nap and Daniel covered her with her blanket.

Daniel at the Bass Pro Shop

Daniel is a very happy boy. Kat and Jason went to their Fellowship Group Christmas Party on Saturday evening, Dec. 17, so Rich and I got to play with Daniel. We took him to the Bass Pro Shop in Harrisburg. Daniel had a blast - and so did we. He climbed on the jeeps and boats, looked at (and petted) the stuffed animals, watched the fish, and rode a merry-g0-round on a Moose. I think he was the only child who stopped to say "Thank You" to the man who ran the merry-go-round ride. When we left it was snowing.

Daniel absolutely adores his baby sister. This was earlier in the day on Saturday.

Kat and Abby ready to go to the Christmas party.

Daniel on the Moose on the Merry-go-round.

With Pop-pop on a jeep.

SNOW!

Along the way home we looked at Christmas lights. When we pulled into the driveway Daniel said, "That was very fun, Pop-pop."

December 10 - Dinner with Fellowship Group

On Saturday evening the Fellowship Group at church met in separate homes for small group dinners. Then we went to the church for dessert and a gift exchange. It was a fun evening of getting to know one another better. Each host/hostess provided the main course and guests each brought part of the meal. The guest bringing dessert took it to the classroom at church. We had about 45 people participate.

Rich prepared three chickens, completely boned and each stuffed with a different filling - spinach, red pepper, and mushroom. It was very Christmassy - and delicious.

Our guests - Art, Elaine, Ken, and Martha.

Abby and Daniel

I have been spending a lot of time with Kat and the kids while Jason travels for work. He spent a week in North Carolina near Hatteras and is in Michigan this week and next. Kat is adjusting to a new baby, a new house, and a traveling husband. I've been there and know how hard all that can be. Fortunately I am retired this year and can help out. Kat is doing very well in her recovery from the c-section operation and is managing the best she can. While it has been difficult for her, Grandma is loving the time spent with the children.

Abby at four weeks. She is already a precious armful!

Daniel loves to hold, hug, kiss, and help Mommy with Abby. He will get her pacifier or blanket for her and help in any way he can. He reads to her, talks to her and, when necessary, yells at her to stop crying.