After Thanksgiving

 It's become a tradition for my kids to gather at my house the day after thanksgiving for an appetizer dinner and putting up my Christmas tree. I love the casual relaxed atmosphere of the day and am thrilled to have help with the tree assembly! Jay's the expert on getting the tree  built and Ashley helps with the ornaments. Lincoln was an excited helper when it came to the nutcrackers this year too.

 The weekend gave me time for knitting so I finished a Christmas gift for Dale's grandson and loved getting a chance to make another stocking. Soon I will be knitting another for my grandbaby that is due in the Spring. Dale and I found plenty of time for Christmas shopping and sports too. On Saturday we went to a Panther football playoff game in the evening after a championship volleyball game in the afternoon. Now it will be basketball instead of Fall sports!

Five Weeks Ago

Just look at this! I am so very proud of my beautiful grandsons and their mommy, the photographer. I feel so blessed to have great photos of them. This was just five weeks ago today. Although it is now December I am still feeling a bit robbed of Autumn in November. Winter came early this year but I will save this shot to remember how much I love Fall even if its short lived some years. I do love the changed of seasons but on my own schedule!

Great Thanksgiving

 It was a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Ashley shared some of her photos from our day with the Nonnweilers in Mason City and I want to add those to my first Thanksgiving post. It was such a great day.

 Jay with his nephews makes me think about the fact that Jay and Briana will have a baby of their own next year on Thanksgiving! That little one will be six months old by then. Our family is growing quickly.

 Walker loves people and he loves exploring faces. He is such a sweet happy baby and seems to love a good party just like his brother.

 I love gathering with family and the fun is multiplied with the little ones around. Have I mentioned that its so special to me that my grandchildren love and know my siblings!?

 Thanksgiving dinner then Christmas cookies. It's a great tradition.

I am especially grateful that my siblings love gathering for the holiday too. We are so fortunate to live so close...most of us anyway.

Thanksgiving 2014

 What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had! Have I mentioned how much I love seeing my grandchildren and siblings together? It's just so wonderful! It was great to have baby, Roman there and get so much time with him and his generous smiles too.

 I didn't take lots of photos, as usual, but we gathered together, cooked, ate cleaned up and just hung out. The men got comfy in the living room and the woman continued the tradition of frosting Christmas cookies after we clear the Thanksgiving dinner. It may sound like an odd tradition but we have so much fun with it.

 

 We even have an impartial judge to determine the most beautiful cookie and Jill won this year. This is a serious competition and we love it.

 I absolutely love gathering together with the generations. This year was especially fun with Roman's first Thanksgiving. He and Walker are just five months apart and I look forward to enjoying them together for holidays in the future. Sandi and Dale are great hosts and we have a wonderful holiday. I'm grateful that all of my kids were able to make the trip to Mason City too. What a great day! 

Winter Arrived

 Even though I wasn't ready, winter arrived early this year and the temperatures dropped drastically. For the last couple of weeks life has changed drastically thanks to winter and snow. It was gorgeous to hike in the woods after the first snowfall but it's challenging to find times to walk outside.

 So we find indoor fun. Exhibition basketball was a huge hit with the boys and with us. Lincoln always loves TC and TK. This was Walker's second game but he was very tiny for the first one. He loved the band, the action and all the people.

 I'm back to walking the mall, the hospital and big stores like Target or Menards. Lincoln joined me one afternoon at the mall for a ride in the race car just like we did "when he was little." I dug out some of my toys that are new to Walker and he is so content to play while we are cooped up inside.

 Dale and I have really enjoyed the UNI Football games this year and have been grateful for the dome. Lincoln joined us for the first quarter of the last regular season game. The Panthers have had a great season and we are looking forward to a playoff game on Saturday night. Again, I am very grateful that we have the UNI Dome!

 Lincoln and I had an indoor picnic when we were stuck inside due to snowy roads with ice underneath. This feels more like January than November! Of course the cold weather gives me more time and desire for baking. It's delicious but not great for my healthier eating plan.

 Snowy trails, icy streets and lots of baking and knitting are adding to my challenge of controlling my weight. Our program at work this winter is "Maintain, Don't Gain" and that is my goal. It's taking lots of work and will take more willpower. I need to work on that one! Here come the holidays!

Fall Ended Early

 Fortunately we had some very fun outdoor times to soak up Autumn before this early winter weather hit. Of course, I was slow at posting anything from the last month so this is a big catch up!

 I love helping Ashley with smiles and distractions so that she can get great photos of my boys. I just feel so blessed to have such great pictures of my grandsons.

 We had some great back yard time too, just enjoying the wonderful weather and sand in our toes.

 We had some great hikes at Hartman Reserve and I loved every minute of that, even a surprise shower.

Ah, Halloween was cold but it was a good one.

 Football and playing in the leaves was great fun too. Walker loves leaves just like Lincoln.

 I love walking with family as I work to keep active and exercise more. It's fun to get to walk with Jay and Kirby occasionally after work while the sidewalks were still clear.

 Lincoln and I looked for a hiking spot close to his house and we found a good place to wander in the woods (sometimes referred to the jungle.) There is no trail but its lots of fun to explore and play in the sand near the river. Walker is amazingly flexible on our adventures. It will be fun to have him walking beside us next year.

 Apple picking at the very end of October was a great surprise when someone offered apples from their backyard. The apples were delicious and it was a great place to pick the apples ourselves.

In the last couple of weeks I've had lots more time for indoor activities and a much harder time getting my walks. I will post some of those things soon.