Happy New Year!

Quilted Wall Hanging

______My gift from Nancy and Dan was this Nativity wall hanging that Nancy had quilted. Isn't it adorable? It is now hanging on the livingroom wall beside the TV. I love it there, but the afternoon sun comes in the west window and hits that north wall, so I don't think I had better keep it there long term. But for this week, before it put my nativities away, that is where I will enjoy it. Nancy has a new sewing machine and she used her many decorative stitches making it. I didn't get all my nativities out to display this year, but Jill and Sadie counted over 80.

Family Christmas

_______Sunday, Dec. 26, was the day we could all get together to celebrate our family Christmas. Hamball dinner was the menu. Nineteen people makes for a full house. Matt and family were missed, but too far away for reasonable holiday travel. Gifts were opened after dinner. We had given money at Thanksgiving with instructions to buy a gift for themselves, wrap and bring it to open at the party. I was very satisfied with the outcome. They each had gotten things they could use and not have to return any items. Jill had the fleece shirt she wanted and Calvin had only the box for his pillow, as he had already been using it! Then we held our annual $5 grabbag. That is how T wound up with a hawkeye flag! (He is NOT a hawkeye fan!) He was happy when it was taken away from him.

Christmas Brunch

_______Teresa invited us down for brunch Christmas morning. Actually late Christmas morning, after church and etc. It was a pajama party. Friends and family that didn't have other plans, were invited. David was chief cook, making french toast. (We didn't go through near as much syrup as the defensive football players, when they had a game day breakfast for them) Then, in the afternoon, we helped deliver meals for the Elks dinner and ate there.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

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Calvin's team= Another win

After not having the scheduled game at 11, Calvin's team played a team they had played before at 12. The schedule was a mess. Last week was canceled due to weather and this week a couple of the scheduled teams didn't show and an extra team did. So they just matched them up and played. Guess that is the object anyway. But two teams from Ogden played each other and could have saved mileage and played there, and a girls team played a boys team. (Don't know how that one came out) Preplanning and organization was missing.....

Swim at Carroll

________ Swim meet last night at Carroll. Jeff swam in four events. The teams were pretty even by the last event and I'm not sure how the points finally came out. I was busy watching Jeff. Calvin and Teresa tried out my new video camera, but I haven't taken the time to figure out how to see those yet!!! I needed to get some regular photos. It is hard to catch Jeff taking a breath!!

Collection is Still Growing

____Teresa stopped after school the other night with my birthday present. I love it! The Jim Shore Nativity ornament that plays silent night when you turn the top in the base. ___________ Then yesterday the second package from Marge arrived. The controversial T-shirt. She had told me that I may not want to wear it... But I plan to wear it to Faith Sharing on Thursday morning. (It is a very comfortable group where you can say most anything.) I'm anxious to hear the comments!

Two New Nativities

Sent from Marg... and they fit in very nicely... thank you , Marg!

Jolly Holiday Lights

________Yesterday we journeyed to Des Moines after I was done playing bridge. We had some stops to make here and there, but our main purpose was to see the light display at Waterworks Park. We go down every couple years. It is always a challenge to get some pictures. I enjoy the lights, especally the motion they display on some of them. Santa's feet were moving. The merry go round was moving and many others. And--that, above, is how I think a tree should be outlined with lights!!!!

Dan's Deer

____Dan was successful in his hunt. He got a 8 point buck and a nice doe. He and Andy didn't hunt today. I think he was just a happy to be out of the cold and wind. Also there were lots and lots of DNR people out in the area they hunt. He wondered if there was something special they were looking for. He went out this a.m., just driving around, to see how some of the others had done. He took some picture of Mom's place and all the work the new owner has done. Still more to do.

3 & 3

_______Yesterday was too busy even for me. I got to three things I wanted to do , but that left three things I couldn't do. First it was cookie parade day for the St. Joseph's Womens Council. I helped collect money. Were we ever busy. We were open 10 - 11:30 and after about 20 minutes we couldn't keep up with the line ready to check out. (Next year I suggest three people instead of two.) I missed getting to the Genealogy Society meeting where I would have been installed as treasurer. And I missed Jeff's first swimmeet in Boone. (Teresa and Dave were there and reported he had done very well.) Mary Jane and I got one house done on the Garden Club's Tour of Homes (My birthday present from Mary Jane) before Calvin's basketball game. Calvin's team won 55- 23. Then we were off to the other four stops on the tour. Lovely homes all decorated for the holidays. Jerry went to Rockwell City for Lena Lawson's 90th birthday reception. That was the third thing I had to miss. Also Dan was home for Deer hunting.

Thanksgiving

_________ Thursday we drove to Williamsburg for lunch with Dan, Nancy and the Shermans. Dan had cooked the turkey on the grill. (After making a turkey sized cannon to put inside the bird with juice in it to keep the turkey moist. It worked. On the same principle as a 'beer can chicken') He had marinated the turkey in juices and etc. They also fixed pork loin and along with mashed potatoes, gravy, corn casserole, green beans, stuffing, salad, relish with dip, rolls and pies we had quite a meal.... and did I forget anything? Plus good company!

National Honor Society Induction

___ Jeff and Caleb were the main ones that worked on hors d'oeuvres for the reception. But they still had to do their part in the program. All the seniors that were members took part. Jeff thought maybe they wouldn't have too. But he had the longest part to read, which he handled very well. His voice carries and is easy to hear. Teresa was in charge of drinks. And since I was at the High School I took a picture of the senior hand print wall. Jeff's was clear to the top and upside down. Figures... couldn't be routine!!! His was in a group of the football boys.

Home from CR

We went over and visited Joan and family Thurs. and came home yesterday. We went out to eat and shopped at the newest farm store. Joan found a alarm that emits a high pitch that only dogs can hear. It is activated on the noise of a bark. Her neighbor has two dogs that are early morning barkers. (Joan loves to sleep in) We are anxious to see if this is 1/2 as effective as advertised. ________ We came home to a freezer that has been getting slowly worse and was getting cold, but not enough to shut off. It is OLD. So we now have a new freezer...... I heard tonight that Hil has a "That a girl" coming. Her intra-mural volleyteam are champs at UOI!!!! They will have their picture in the fieldhouse for the next year! Also Jeff had First Team All-District football honors. Jeff has a part in the induction of new National Honor Society members tomorrow afternoon. He is in a baking class and he and a friend are making refreshments, as well as some part of the ceremony. I'll have to check that out tomorrow. I haven't seen the college girls yet. They are home for Thanksgiving vacation...............plus, I'm ready for winter. My new coat was delivered yesterday.......It will be fine if it stays warm, so I don't need it!

Nativities

__________My Nativity collection has grown again. I had decided that I wasn't going to get anymore. Storage is the biggest problem. Then I found this Jim Shore Blessed Family at a garage sale for $2. I couldn't resist. Jerry said "I thought you weren't going to get anymore." He just didn't under stand this collectable! _______ Then yesterday I was shopping and ran across the Fisher Price Little People set that I had tried to get unsuccessfully the last couple years. I couldn't resist! It will be just right for Mara when she stops over. Maybe now I'm not going to get anymore....

At Courtney's Sunday Evening

____Sunday evening Courtney and Amos hosted our family at their home in Urbandale. This way Matt, and Liz and family could be there to see the siblings and families before heading for NC on Monday. We had a great visit. The cousins could play and had a place to run off energy and get reacquainted. Good food too. Dan had roasted pork for sandwiches. Joan came from home. She and Jill had been cooking and Teresa and I shopped at Dahls. It was a great place for Sunday football too. Thank you, Courtney and Amos!!!!!

Ox Yoke Inn

_______Last Saturday night the family, minus Matt , Liz and theirs, got together in Amana at the Ox Yoke Inn. This had been planned to follow Abbey cheering at Coe when BV played Coe. Liz's Grandmother funeral was that afternoon, so we attended that and missed Abbey's game. We greatly enjoyed getting together in the evening. This was a postponed 50th Anniversary celebration.