A Homemade Christmas

This year our family did something new at Christmas. We were each to make one homemade gift for one person. In August we exchanged names for the person who would receive our homemade creation. It was a fun way to do something special for one person.

Mikaela received a gift from Nichole. It was a glass block made into a little lamp. It works perfectly for her bedroom.

Kathryn received a gift from Mikaela - who can resist warm fleecy pajama pants.

 

Nichole  received a gift from Tom - (I think he received a little help from Denise). It was a camera strap for her new camera.

Brian received a gift from Denise. Who can't resist a warm fuzzy blanket.

Denise received a gift from Dan. It is her favorite letter of the alphabet to display on her house.

Tom received a gift from Joy. Guess who his favorite team is.

Joy received a gift from Kathryn. Festive coasters - just the thing for my morning coffee.

Dan received a gift from Brian - just the thing to hold his books.

I think everyone did a great job on their homemade gift.

The little kids had a great time as well. It was a wonderful Christmas.

A fun and wonderful day was had by all.

Highlights of 2011

Looking back over the last year I can certainly say that God has blessed me beyond measure. His faithfulness is abounding and His goodness beyond belief. A short list of things that has blessed my life are:

• Watching Tallen and Elise and seeing their cuteness
• Going through several books of the Bible in an inductive method.
• My Good Morning Girls Group
• Teaching on Monday nights to a group of women that many people would not care about. They have taught me many things and have made me thankful for the grace of God in my life.
• Friends who care about me
• Gaining a daughter in law, Nichole and grandson, Isaac
• Family - husband who is kind and caring, children, grandchildren, siblings, and mother in law.
• My church and neighbors. 
• The birds who come daily to my feeders
• Weekly time that I spend with Mikaela - she has been such a blessing to me

Beyond these everyday blessings there were blessings that do not come everyday.

We were able to enjoy a week out of the cold Minnesota weather and have a getaway to Arizona. Temperatures in the 80s were such a welcome relief and we enjoyed many games of Rook with Mark and LaVonna

A trip to St Cloud over spring break was fun. Brian took us to the fire hall and we got a close up look at all the fire equipment. Also made a trip to Grubers and purchased fabric for a quilt for Isaac.

  April brought Easter and a fun time of coloring eggs with the kids.

June brought the event that we had been looking forward to for many months. We are thrilled to have Nichole and Isaac be an official part of our family.

To celebrate birthdays this year we all took a trip to the Wisconsin Dells and stayed at the Wilderness Resort. We had a wonderful time and great weather to enjoy all the water parks.

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We experimented with growing some different things this year, namely pumpkins, sunflowers and watermelon. They all turned out pretty good. The kids came to pick pumpkins from my patch.

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We also were informed of a future member of our family, always a grandmother's delight.

The holidays were upon us and we enjoyed our 2nd annual Festivus with Thanksgiving the next day.

The Christmas season was a whirlwind of activity. Dan was Herod in the Children's musical at church and we enjoyed a day of celebrating the birth of Christ - what a blessing it was.

 

So thankful for this past year of blessings - a gift from God to us.

Just a couple more - they make me smile!