Christmas 2017

Christmas this year seemed to creep up on us with all the other things going on in our lives, but even though it was a little different out of necessity, we were grateful to be together and make special memories.

Our strategy for Christmas gifts this year for the grandkids was one big box per child that they could open and which was filled (or actually half-filled) with items they could all share among themselves.  The idea was a huge success, though it was a bit of a wild mess as the unwrapping occurred all at once!

Katie seemed to primarily be interested in her M&M's...

Dad and Mom surprised me with a KitchenAid mixer, just like the one Rachael received as a shower gift!  So unexpected...

Ben, Laura, and the kids gave Kathy a box of children's book, one of them being a copy of the "Long Winter".  Very fitting given her relocation to Duluth, Minnesota in February.

One of the other activities of the day was practicing how to do the girl's hair for Rachael's wedding.

Oh, and also playing with the 1,000 piece dominos set!

Little James eventually had too much...

The dessert spread was incredible!  So hard to choose...

Now we are on to pulling together the last details for the first of two weddings!  Thankful for the memories, and looking forward to the new memories that will be made in the coming year.