new year's eve day...

New Year's Eve day... a bit like any other Saturday, in that I had to work. But that was OK.. it was a quiet steady, the morning went quick, and I was out by noon --- my usual time. The only glitch was, it was raining, and with the ground being so cool... everything turned to ice once it hit. Pretty, but dangerous. My mail truck was 30 minutes late... thankfully the mail volume was "small" so we quickly caught up, so glad that didn't happen during the Christmas rush.

We had been invited to Lauren's for a bon fire later that evening, but I backed out. Worried that the roads would be not fun on the ride home.

I felt sad to have done this, but we'll have to catch up with them on another day.

We did, last minute, decide to go to dinner with Kelli and Rick and catch a movie... so the evening wasn't without entertainment. And were home early... I'm not much of a party person ...and to me, New Year's feels more like the end of the holidays than the beginning...so, it was a good way to say goodbye to 2011......

photo opts

Babies in the house!!! And though they are exactly "ours"... they are certainly a welcomed addition. Our friends, the Gamble family - asked if they might come one afternoon and do a family photo opt. This is a rare occasion for them, with one daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby living in the south, and the other daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby living in Germany.... it's hard for this family to be together... but they were over Christmas.






Julie, the photographer (and another friend) thought the farm would have many good places for photo opts... and so, it seemed it did.












It was fun to watch, and see the farm in the eyes of someone else. How many times do I walk past places and never "see" them... but then from behind the camera they become "a really cool place".....









Abbie was fascinated with the babies... she had a million questions for their Moms......











Pictures were taken both inside and out.... I felt so special and honored that they would choose to use our house for this special time together....














even the little sleigh was put to use, and with snow flakes gently falling......










Abbie wanted to go for a ride. "Once the snow comes back.... once the snow comes back"......

Merry Christmas

Christmas morning, and in the few quiet moments, with a warm cup of coffee.. I sit and look at the beautiful tree with it's bounty beneath and I remember how truly blessed I am. I say thank you to God, for sending His Son to save us and promise us a home forever in Heaven... and I say thank you for the amazing family that I have been blessed with and humbly think of all the blessings that surround me. And I pray too for those who don't know our Lord, and ask that they might come to understand the real meaning of Christmas.. and wish to all my "readers" blessings for this day and the new year that is ahead...

I think that this Christmas morning has been one of my favorites, other than when the girls were little. I loved waking up Christmas mornings to eager little girls who couldn't wait for the parents to roll out of bed. This year, we had Abbie for Christmas morning.. so Kass "gave up" her usual Christmas breakfast, and she and Nate traveled to the farm ... to have Christmas with us and let Abbie have her Christmas at home. While we waited for them to arrive... Sadie tried her hand at a new project... spinning. We were given this beautiful spinning wheel just a few days ago.. and since both Sadie and I have this on our "to learn" list... she jumped on the chance to take it. We kind of know how it works, and have been playing around with it.. but after Christmas, we plan to go and learn the correct way!!!

Abbie dug into her stocking... it kept her busy until Tee Tee and Krunkle could arrive. Hunter was most interested in what she found in that stocking as well......

And soon, "my" house was filled with kids... and for a Mom, there is nothing better in the world than that. (Thank you Kas and Nate....)

and then "it" all began....................

"

"Merry Christmas!!!!"

I could have watched Abbie all day long.......

and she became the expert at opening.. and gave advise to everyone on how it is done!!!!!!

The house is a mess and I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are our girls..............

Nate is a huge Lego fan... so I picked up a couple of little "projects" for him to "play with"

Abbie was pretty happy with her Legos... and loved playing with Krunkle and learning how they all go together......

Uncle Bill joined us as well... and after presents, we had a great family breakfast... then everyone was off... Kas and Nates' to Dave and Deb's... Abbie off to her Dad... Bill to friends and us to my folks....

but the morning is a treasure that I will always keep

We had a wonderful lunch, visit and more presents with my folks, sisters and their families. The day was relaxed and such fun. I love Christmas when it isn't rushed around....

My Mom, niece, and sisters......

Naomi got this cute little puppy and thought it looked just like Ginger... and so it does... and now, Auntie Sue has to make a cape and gentle leader so that Naomi can begin to work with "her service puppy".....

And then Christmas was over, and real life will creep back in... but we'll have these magical hours to keep forever.

Christmas Eve...

Since Christmas Eve was on a Saturday this year, I had to spend my morning working at the post office. Saturdays are my usual day to work, but we're only open half the day (all the time).. so it really wasn't any big deal. Overall, it was pretty quiet at the post, everyone having done all the mailings the weeks before, but enough folks stopped in to make the time go quick.






We still had some of our snow from the other day... it's so pretty...












Our plans for Christmas Eve - going to Kass and Nate's church and then to their house (our old house) for a light dinner and the first of family get together's....









Kas and Nate's church is a large baptist church.. and they were expecting so many, that they set the evening service up in their gym. Good thing too, the place was packed (probably close to 600 people). We knew many folks there, it was old home week, and I even got to see my cousins. The service was very good, well organized and geared for families. I greatly enjoyed it, and couldn't help but think why our little church struggles so and this one is so up and going.....

The children were so cute, singing their songs and saying their little pieces....

After church, we headed over to Kas and Nate's... the whole ride over was pretty with Christmas lights everywhere. The old hometown was all dressed up........

Charlie had received one of his presents early... "think it's big enough Charlie, will there be enough to last threw Christmas"

We had a wonderful supper together... and then opened some gifts. Since Kas and Nate would be at Nate's family on Christmas, my parents brought their gifts down to them. My Mom gave Nate this "singing deer head" for his man cave. It was pretty funny and he was quite surprised.... oh and the gift that we gave him.... a jump out of an airplane!!!! (which will be it's own blog next summer when he does it... stay tuned!!!)

Abbie got to open some presents as well.. she will be at her Dad's on Christmas afternoon, so again, it was easier for my family to bring their gifts to her at Kass's

It's just so grand to spend Christmas in this house - our old house, and to see the family there together. I am just so grateful that Kas and Nate wanted it for themselves and kept it in the family. They are taking such good care of it, and making it over into their own..... it just makes me s happy.....

Abbie loves having time with Tee-Tee and cousin Naomi...... The evening flew by, Christmas is well on it's way.

"the stockings were hung by the chimney with care......

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there"....

day before the "day before".....

"there's no place like home"... "or I'll be home for Christmas"... or... maybe Abbie just liked these "ruby red shoes" for her Christmas dress, but either way.. they are the new favorite and she sports them everywhere she can - including bed. And so, the Christmas days are here and I have been stretching them out for a long as I possibly can. Last night, we had Kelli and Rick for dinner, and a chance to be together before we all get "too busy" with our families. We had a nice dinner and a visit...





And they brought a "few" things for Abbie to open. What is it about watching a child open presents at Christmas that make it one of the most wonderful blessings int he world. Abbie is beginning to put this all together, she wasn't quite so sure "why" a tree came into the house, and talks about "Santa paying a visit"... but she doesn't really get it, just yet.

After going threw her own things, she was more than happy to help the rest of us open gifts as well.

When we had opened all the gifts, and just the wrappings were left....

We discovered the best present of all.............

It sort of seemed like we were in for a green Christmas this year. Snow for Halloween and for Thanksgiving sort of made it seem "unfair" that we wouldn't have it for Christmas.....

But during the night.................. and on this "day before the day before"..... it all came together, the farm had a new winter coat.

These are my friends that I work with at the post office... Meg, Dan and Cynthia. I was invited into work for a "Christmas breakfast" and a chance to have a quick visit. We are all so busy during this season, that even when we work together, you can't "visit".. so it was nice to take a few moments out and do that. It was also another nice way to begin my "day before"...

The roads looked like this as I traveled home from the post. Kas and I had plans to meet up and "do something fun" on the "day before"...

Ed was loading the furnace....

and it felt as though Christmas had finally arrived. Kas and I met and poked around Portland, finding a few of those last minute gifts and just really enjoying the time.

And from all of us, here on Sweetgrass Farm... we hoping that everyone has the most wonderful Christmas filled with family and friends........