Christmas Day

The kids get their stockings first thing.

 Millie embraced the holiday spirit and was eating her chocolate before anyone noticed.

 The rest of the day was spent eating, opening presents, and enjoying each other's company.

Christmas Eve

We kicked off the day with gingerbread pancakes, blueberries, and whipped cream. Anja and Liisa planned an elaborate scavenger hunt for the kids with a "Twelve Days of Christmas" theme.

After a simple lunch we met for coffee across the street. Monnica and Scarlett joined us.

We went to the Christmas Eve family service at the Lutheran Church again and came home for a make-your-own nachos bar. Which was new to us this year, but is now a firmly established tradition. It was easy and tasty and went swimmingly except for the one pan of nachos that I upended in the oven.
The kids opened their gift from Grandma.

Around here the presents don't show up under the tree until everyone is asleep, except for the ones the kids give each other.

Carefully staged to avoid the eyes of any curious people popping out of bed.

The Christmas Program

The big kids were in the church Christmas program this year. It was a perfect production. There were verses said by different kids punctuated by carols. They had four weeks of rehearsals during Sunday school.

My angel was being a bit of a stinker about having her picture taken.

 Nora had a speaking part and did well, no rushing or mumbling.

Everyone in the play did a great job and it was such fun to watch.We are thankful for the time and effort put in by the adults to make this happen.

Thanksgiving Feast

The Tacomans joined us at Mimmu and Iso's house for our traditional festive lunch.

Sandwiches and pie for dinner. Her Christmas tree was already up and decorated which gave the event a little extra sparkle.

Finland : Kirsti's birthday

The Americans went to visit Urajärvi Manor before lunch. My mom and aunt used to go there when they were children. We looked around the grounds while waiting for the guided tour of the house to begin.

Check out the beds. They were extended at night and collapsed during the day to provide more room.

After the tour we went back to the house for lunch. In 2009 we had reindeer and potatoes for my birthday and we decided to make that a tradition.

And I always have a strawberry layer cake.

Helvi and Osmo came to have coffee with us.

It was good to celebrate here.

Penny turns three!

She opened presents.

And we had pizza for dinner.

 And cake for dessert.

We put her candles in her slice since she had been sick recently and she blew them out before we had a chance to start singing so we lit them again.

We love our 'Nelope.

Nora's Birthday Tea

Nora invited three friends over for a tea party.

The other kids went to Mimmu's house so that the girls could chat in peace.

They made felt flowers to take home and played for a bit.
And made their own pizzas for dinner.

Nora's early birthday

We celebrated Nora's birthday with Anja. On Friday night we had cake after dinner.

On Saturday there were presents and we had a more festive dinner. Iso fixed up my old bike to give to Nora.

 

 

She hadn't learned to ride a two-wheeler yet, but she picked it right up!

Henry's birthday party

Henry invited a few of his friends over to play and have dinner. They helped him get his new K'nex roller coaster started.

Everyone made their own pizza for dinner.

Henry used his new mustache straws from Anja for the root beer floats. They were the source of much hilarity.

Turning seven was thoroughly celebrated.

Henry's birthday part two and three

On his Birthday Eve Henry got some presents from Mark. You can see the Donald Duck piggy bank that used to be Mark's. Henry also got his dad's robot drawing set.

Mark left early the next morning but we had Mimmu and Iso over for taco salad and root beer floats and they gave Henry his first sets of K'nex.

Henry's birthday

Mark had a business trip on Henry's birthday this year, so we celebrated with some early cake while Anja was also in town. Moving didn't leave a lot of time for baking, so Iso bought a Costco cake.

Some presents from Anja rounded out the party.

Idaho : Birthday celebrations, cousins, crafts

Our travel day was a little shorter this trip because Grandma Irene was visiting a new great-grandchild in Arizona. We missed having dinner with her.
When we got to Grandma's house Helena was given some birthday gifts. A book, finger puppets, and a fantastic red cape sewed by Grandma. It's going to get a lot of use in their make-believe play.

We made our usual visit to the library for story time. And it was craft day so the kids got to make a tissue paper fish. We also checked in on the live fish in the library and saw the fattest koi.  
Aunt Jennifer organized a birthday party for the little girls and Mark. Millie loved her birthday tiara.

She opened presents like a pro.

 Birthday buddies.

 Balloons and the cakes that Jennifer made.

 Aunt Maryann is always a favorite with the kids.

 Aunt Becky arranged a serious crafting session. They are decorating picture frames.

Henry is pretty sure he needs a tablet just like cousin Tony.

Grandma Irene joined us for one night, it was so good to see her again.

A busy and fun trip.