Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!


Merry Christmas everyone!


Elizabeth is enjoying her first Christmas!

On Friday, her dad finished a long week of teaching and wrestling to spend some time with Elizabeth after not seeing her since Wednesday. Why? Because on Thursday Goodhue had a meet in Cannon Falls, and then head coach Bill Sutter had a pizza party for the wrestlers at his house. After the party, I camped out at the O'Reilly's with Jeremiah and Jenna. Then it was off to finish out the last day of teaching before the holiday break.

Saturday brought the newly formed Grant family down to GUSville for Christmas. After a nice dinner, we all sat down to presents and conversation. A snowstorm that moved in made return travel difficult and shutdown Sunday travel plans to Hibbing.

So Christmas Eve (and Grandma Senich' s birthday) we drove to Hibbing in time for the Christmas Eve service. Elizabeth made it through her first church service successfully - no quick scrambles out of the sanctuary were necessary!

After church, we had Christmas Eve supper and presents with Grandma Senich (Sam's paternal grandmother). Then it was off to the Kotonias's for more holiday treats and gift exchanges. Everyone was excited to see Elizabeth for the first time, especially some aunts (names withheld).
On Christmas morning, Elizabeth woke up to presents galore with the Senich family - Matt, Kathy, Will, and Katie; John, Courtney, and Benjamin. I can't speak for others, but I can attest that Sam, Elizabeth and I had a nice "haul" (my term) from Santa and company...

Christmas lunch was at the Kotonias's before family left for home.

Back at Matt and Kathy's, Sam and I handed off Elizabeth to the grandparents to do some backwoods snowshoeing in 18 inches of perfect powder.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Sam's Birthday!


We celebrated Samantha's 26th birthday today!

My grandparents stopped by to see their great-granddaughter after I shoveled the snow we received on Saturday--Elizabeth's first significant snowfall!

At lunch, we had a meal brought in. Then it was off to the Christmas tree farm in Wanamingo with Ash, Angie, and their 1 year old son Milan to pick out our trees.

This year, we have a nice White Pine. Last year, we had a Douglas Fir. You know how Sam is with her trees - gotta try 'em all...

While the tree melted its ice in the basement, Sam opened her wonderful birthday gifts.

After supper, Elizabeth helped her parents bake cookies and put the tree up! She's getting bigger every day and wants to tell everyone "Happy December!"