Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Things have been a little busy since my last post. My sister Kristin came for a visit before Christmas. It was really nice to have some time to hang out together since we really haven't since I moved away over five years ago. Here is a picture of Kristin and Nora at the beach. It was a little chilly when we went, but that couldn't keep Nora from putting her feet in.

Ben's Uncle came on the 22nd and we celebrated his birthday on the 23rd. Thanks to the MN/CO Biebel's for the yummy steaks we ate for dinner!

My Mom, sister Amy and her kids, Lila and Micah were supposed to arrive on the 22nd, but due to heavy loads they were bumped and got in on Sunday. They stayed at the lake with Uncle Rick and Aunt Carol. Everyone came here for dinner on Christmas Eve and some of us went to a nice service at the Presbyterian Church across the street. All the kids left food out for Santa's reindeer and cookies and milk for Santa. Santa left a nice note for Nora and Morgan.

Christmas Eve was very fun! Kristin and Uncle Don helped Ben and I put together the girls Rose Petal Cottage, book shelf and storage bench. It is a good thing they were here or Ben and I might not yet be speaking :o)

They LOVED the Rose Petal Cottage and just started playing. It gave the adults a few minutes to wake up before we opened the other presents. Thank you to everyone for making Christmas wonderful for us and especially the girls!!!!

After we opened presents I dropped Kristin off at the airport and then we headed out to the lake to spend the day with everyone. Then just before dinner was to be served Melvin and Sawyer disappeared. So a search party ensued...my Mom made a wonderful prime rib and we enjoyed it quickly so we could search more, but Sawyer spent the night out alone :o( Luckily, someone Amy and Uncle Don had talked to found him early the next morning and brought him home. We were all very relieved and appreciative.

The next few days were spent enjoying time with family, including decorating gingerbread houses and looking for treasure on the lake bottom. Then Ben and Nora went off on an adventure to Tellico Tennessee to do some off-roading and get a much needed break. I will do another post on this later, they took lots of fun pictures.






I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! Hope to hear from everyone soon!