Annual DeGidio's Holiday Party

 For the first time in many years, Steve and I attended the annual DeGidio's Holiday gathering.  Joe Krengle is the organizer of the event, and although he and Heather and their family were in New York to celebrate the holiday, the gathering took place without him (although he was sorely missed!).  We were able to see many old friends from our college days and it was really great to see everyone.

Before heading to DeGidio's we were able to spend the afternoon with Jon, Jenny and Delaney Flanagan at their home.  Maddy headed to Ben and Shelly's for a sleepover, then Steve and I went to dinner at Red Cow with Jon, Jenny, Tammy and Joe.  It was nice to catch up in person!

Eric Skaar and Joe Schwei

Eric, Jess, JoAnn, Mal

Jess, Eric and Steve

Delaney Flanagan and Maddy

Christmas with the Faust Family

Cousins! Jana, Eli, Colin, Anton, Leah and Maddy

We enjoyed spending time with the Faust family over the Christmas holidays.  We stayed at Jeff, Sara, Jana and Colin's house and had lots of fun sledding (although I hit one bump and my back suffered for that one)!  We had a nice visit with Sr. Eunice.  Maddy has lots of play time with Eli, Leah and Anton at Ben and Shelly's, there was a pizza/game night (new favorite game: Buzzword!) at Jeff and Sara's, Christmas Eve dinner at Kincaid with Mike, Jan and Uncle Bob.  We had a quiet Christmas morning as Jeff, Sara, Jana and Colin were in Sun Prairie with Sara's family.  A bit later on Christmas morning we went to Ben and Shelly's for the Faust extended family Christmas Brunch and it was great to see everyone!  Debbie and Rick, Randy, Chuck, Lisa, Nicole and little Miles all made it over to celebrate.  We had the annual Tom and Jerrys and enjoyed great food and great company.  December 26 was the immediate Faust Family Christmas/gift exchange with beef tenderloin, potatoes, Susan's famous mushrooms and so much more.  The kids opened gifts then watched a movie while the adults took their turns.  Lots of fun, laughs and good times!  The next day it was time for our family to head home to Portland.

Another wonderful Christmas season in the books!

Christmas Eve Dinner at Kincaid with Jan, Uncle Bob and Mike

Sledding Day! Jeff, Steve, Maddy and Jana

Jana and Maddy

Visiting Sr. Eunice

 

Steve, Jan, Bob and Chuck

Tom, Rick and Debbie

Maddy, Leah, Anton, Eli and Miles

Silly cousins!

Faust Extended Family Christmas Celebration

Movie day! Rogue One

Lounging at the Thurnau Home

Sara and Leah

Maddy: Christmas Morning Santa Gift!

Merry Christmas!

Santa Gift - Hoodie!

Maddy finds out she has Calico Critters waiting at Home!

Jana, Maddy and Colin - Three Little Monkeys!!

Faust Family Photos

Uncle Bob was kind enough to bring his nice camera and take the role of family photographer over the holidays.  The photos turned out great - a good looking crew!

Thanks, Bob!!

Grandpa, Grandma and the grand-kids: Colin, Anton, Jana, Leah, Maddy and Eli

Steve, Shelly, Jeff, Tom, Mike and Jan

Steve, Marnie, Ben, Shelly, Tom, Susan, Sara, Jeff, Mike and Jan

Tom and Susan

My Happy Place...Lake Superior

Lake Superior Sea Smoke

Lake Superior has always been and will always be one of my favorite places on Earth. 💖

 

Magical Icy Sunrise

 

Christmastime Sunset

Family Time in Knife River

Maddy with Grandmom and Granddad - and the gift of her Art Book

What a wonderful beginning of Christmas in Knife River!  It was so nice to have time to spend with family over the holidays.  Steve and I commented afterward that this was the first time where we were in the same place as Maddy but we barely saw her all day!  She was busy playing with her cousins and having a great time and this made us happy.  We celebrated our Sebastian side family Christmas on Wednesday, December 21, 2016.  Mom created a feast for dinner with pork roast and our traditional pigs in the blanket (beef, pork and rice meatballs wrapped in cabbage and cooked in sauerkraut and gravy = YUM!), freshly made lefse, cheesy potatoes and a beautiful salad.  And pickles of course!  We exchanged gifts and hugs and just enjoyed our time together.

Maddy had lots of cousin time and also had special time with Grandmom and Granddad.  Reading is one of Maddy's very favorite things, so she spent reading time with each of them.  Maddy also made pancakes with Granddad, and took a trip to the local yarn shop with Grandmom to pick out yarn for a scarf Grandmom graciously offered to make for her.  This spring Maddy will be spending a week with Grandmom and Granddad without us - and we're excited for this special time they will spend together.

We loved spending time with Joel, Silver, Anali, Jon, Amy, Benjamin and Gabi.  We did miss Mila, Mark, Aidan and Nolan but we hope to see them this summer at some point.

Happy Christmas Celebration!

Our gift - Chinook Salmon from Seattle Market

  

Benjamin with Dad and Mom

Family Time

Maddy and Anali

Maddy and Anali - Jammies!

Making Lefse!

Grandmom and Maddy and the Christmas Flower!

Maddy and Gabi

Gabi, Maddy and Anali - and silly Uncle Jon!

Amy and Jon

Benjamin, Anali and Gabi - hooray for cousins!

Benjamin, Steve and Jon

Reading time

Maddy and Grandmom

Granddad and Maddy - more reading time!

Making Pancakes with Granddad

Breakfast with Cousins!

Cribbage!  Family Time = love!

Anali and her Gingerbread House

Marnie, Virginia and Erin