Christmas With Chris and Steph

Christopher & Stephanie came to celebrate Christmas with us this weekend. Father Dan would be so pleased that we are still keeping the spirit of Christmas alive well into January!
Stella was thrilled to see Chris and Steph.... and get to sit on the couch!

She listened intently as Steph told us about the Border Collie puppies that will be available for adoption this spring. We are hoping to get one when Steph and Chris get their "Jim".

The first gift Chris opened was a Dr. Pepper bottle opener.

As you can see he was quite excited.
Here Stephanie was patient with my trying to get my new camera to do what I wanted it to do.
Stephanie's present: A handpainted Polish Pottery bowl.
Chris got a set of pots and pans.... here is an illustration

of just how fast my new camera is!
My present:Smiling St. Francis with a menagerie of animals!
Sunday morning we viewed the Lourdes Academy

1995 production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC starring the Hatton Children

Needless to say Steph was very impressed and Chris was very embarrassed!
Piggy Back rides!

Chris and Steph didn't stay to watch the game... believe it or not they don't care about football!

It was a wonderful game!

Dog Days of January

We are experiencing the "Dog Days of January" Not a lot going on her in the middle of WI.

So I have been taking pictures with my new camera and figuring out how it works.....
Stella is always a willing model!
But I can't say the same for Mark!
Shotzie, our granddog, came to stay with us while Annie and Justin went to Mexico. Here Stella rests on Shotzie's Bed and Shotzie snoozes on Stella's Bed. Just like kids... (and grown ups too!) always want what the other one has.




Back yard is full of snow.... and the lake is frozen. Some Ice Fishers out there, but not as many as in years past.
Shotzie playing with Stella's new toy.

Annie and Justin came up last Sunday to retrieve Shotzie and watch the Packer game.

It was a good game, especially since the Packer's won!
Stella is most comfortable on Mark's lap....

Shotzie with Annie


Stella bonding with Justin

Birds at the feeder.... they were pretty good models too!



Empty chair in the snow, just waiting for spring.

Mark has been sick this week, so it has been a busy time for me. He seems to be on the mend though, so that is a relief.

I was going to delete some of these pictures, but I am not able to for some reason. So I guess you get to see all of them!

Christmas Memories 2010

Christmas 2010 -- New Memories

Mark and I opened gifts on the 23rd....
And then loaded up the Santa Sleigh and headed for Illinois


Over the highway and through the snow to Mary's House We Go....

Not a creature was stirring... because there was no more room in the car!
Mary Kay was ready for our festive and delicious Christmas Eve Feast
Paella with Bomba Rice...

Stockings were opened .... Dad loved his pens
And then enjoyed our wonderful dinner
After dinner we got down to serious gift opening







Mary had homemade cinnamon rolls and quiche for breakfast for us on Christmas Morning

(We even slept in... I don't think we go up till after 8 a.m.!!!)
Headed over to Laura and Ralph's at 11:30 on Christmas Morning. Bruce and Kevin were up and helped us bring in presents
And Nick kept watch over them... to make sure none walked away!
Mark and Debbie were happy to see each other
Mom really likes lobster... who knew?
And Bruce apparently likes stuffed fish!
George recreated earlier Christmas memories
And Patrick and Becca were just delighted with both the gifts and their wrapping
Bruce and Deb were happy to be back together after Bruce's trip to China
Tom looked dashing in the shirt one of his favorite sister in laws picked for him
Traditional Wrapping Paper Fight
Debbie was tagged to do some reading to Becca and Patrick
Later Becca and Grandpa Mark enjoyed a Disney Movie (which I hope didn't give her nightmares!)
George enjoyed some lap time with his Grandpa Mark
Chef Ralph prepared our Christmas Feast
"The Kids Table"
The Harry and Dorothy Hatton Family
Ladies and their dogs
Time for another story before "car time"
Nick wanted a picture with his mom and Frosty
And last but not least, our pretty pink tree.... new memories being made every day!

Life keeps changing... so we are discovering new ways to CELEBRATE!