How we celebrate New Years Eve

A little music....

...some snacks...

...lots of Aunts and Uncles...

....chocolate, of course...

(yards of it)

...hugs and poses for the camera...

And...

A Cousins Parade!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

GrandMary and GrandpAl

Around the House

The best part of Christmas break is playing with all the new toys you got.  Uncle Drew is really enjoying this magnetic Pony Dress-up set.

Train wreck?  Or just plain fun!

GrandMary's spinning candle wreath with angels for Christmas or horses for the rest of the year.

 

More reading over break.  Thanks Auntie Anna for listening.

The next best thing about vacation...

Time to say goodbye to Uncle Drew and Auntie Lisa until next time. 

Everyone loves Adley's new blue shoes.

Cousins

Post Christmas Fun

Adley and GrandMary all ready to go and feed the horses.  It was 5F!

After feeding the horses Adley got out her Nancy Drew book.  She wanted to be the only one in her class at school who "read to a horse" on her free choice reading assignment.  It was hard to turn the pages with gloves on but GrandMary helped. 

Peter and Nicole Eggebraaten

A long overdue celebration of the marriage of Nicole and Peter. 

We celebrated in style with a shower at Waldorf College. 

A game by Auntie Anna: Peter or Nicole?  

She listed facts and favorites from one of them and guests had to show their answer using the lips or mustache.  Some of us really got into the game.

Opening presents is always more fun with some help from your nieces.

A thank you from the bride and groom!

We had a great time and we were all dressed nice on a Sunday afternoon.  This was NOT a good time for a group photo.  Simeon voted no and he prevailed. 

Uncle Drew offered to hold him.  But you can't make him hold still or smile!

Christmas Highlights

Gift Exchange: creativity reigns!

Prizes were given for the following categories:

Prettiest - Mary (using custom wrapping paper with Peter's face)

Most difficult - Lisa (for sewing her gift into canvas)

Most innovative - Wendy for sending Anna on a scavenger hunt for her gift

Ender's present from Uncle Jared - hand made stacking blocks.  

Dad's present - a trip to the visit the Henry O. Studley Tool Cabinet and Workbench during an exhibit in May in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Just a photo replica until the real thing comes along.

Who wants coffee?

Thanks Noah!

Thanks Anna for my gift of fun makeup, hair brush and travel tea tumbler.  No photo since the makeup was not yet in use...

GrandMary gifted each of the guys with a Grandpa Koehler tie of their choice.

More Present Fun

Present Time - Thank you Aunties and Uncles

We have arrived

The sleeping alcove for the girls, a.k.a. the clubhouse.  

Thanks GrandpAl!

Look cousin! A kitty!

"What is it?"

Train to play with from Aunt Karen

Nail salon in the dining room. We are definitely on vacation.

Fun games on Uncle Noah's tablet.

GrandMary found a new game to play: "Too Many Teddies"