Christmas Thanks

To Grandmas and Grandpas who make Christmas extra special:
Here are a few pictures that show the kids enjoying gifts and excitement from you.




Tessa with her baby Snow White



It took Jordan twice as long as Michael to open gifts(although we took turns...), because he played with every one for while. Michael was busy orchestrating and sifting....

Jingle Bell Time

A fellow student invited us to a little Christmas concert/sing-along last week.
It was really good for our family to practice and put together a song to perform. We wouldn't have done it if we didn't have an event to perform for (and Grandma's help). Now every time we hear "Jingle Bell Rock" the boys say, "Hey it's our song!"
We also listened to vocal, piano, flute, violin, guitar, clarinet and saxophone musical numbers. Lots of talented, fun people!
Jared performed at the sing-along and with the ward choir a few weeks ago. He REALLY enjoyed getting his instruments out and practicing!
We are so grateful to the Seegmillers who put the night of music together. I didn't get many photos, but I want to post this and remember the tradition for future. To me music plays a major part in bringing the Spirit of Christmas.

Great Men

Get ready for lots of pictures! I loved this outing to the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates in Ft. Myers. I especially enjoyed that the estates were decked out for the holidays using lots of materials found in our coastal area! We learned a lot about the work and influence of Thomas Edison. It's time for me to tune up in history and biographies....



Here's an archival photo of Edison's family at home.

and the mossy balls hanging from the covered walkways connecting the buildings.


the library



the dining room



Christmas garlands with magnolia blossoms


Edison planted trees for research and everyday use.




These are the decorations at Edison's "Tea and Bathhouse." His pool was the first in Florida.





We heard lots about Ford while we were in Michigan, but it was interesting to see the connection and friendship that Edison and Ford shared. Both brilliant and hard working men enjoyed fishing, camping, relaxing and sharing ideas together at their Winter homes.
I like the double mantle and the built in corner bench in his more woodsy home.


Here is the rocking chair on the back porch of Ford's home. and more wreaths and garlands made of seashells, etc.



A Notable Quote from one of these great men:

More time with G&G

My special request of my mom while she was here was to make my grandma's recipe of pulled peanut brittle. Sadly I didn't think to take more pictures of the process or the final product. I snapped this fun one of the kids "helping". (Grandma always gets them very involved in her projects.) I think Peanut Brittle has become one of my essential Christmas traditions. It is an all-time favorite treat in the family.



Here are floor puzzles with Grandpa!
The kids got spoiled with lots of bike rides, walks and reading books during Grandma and Grandpa's visit. They sure made our holiday wonderful!

We miss all of our family and hope their holidays are wonderful everywhere they are!!!!

Time at the Beach with G&G

This is what our "winter" visits to the beach look like. We have had some cold spells lately but the weather mostly cooperated during our visit with Grandma and Grandpa.

Tessa did not like finding a horseshoe crab with grandma.


The boys showed some of their favorite spots.


Grandpas are always an adventure!


Michael is really excited to be a boy scout next year. He loves to explore and feel like he is independent and in the know. As I write this he is off geocaching with dad. I think I see being a den mother in my future. Lots of fun!

Naples Bay

On day two of our visit with grandparents we found a great deal on a boat tour of Naples Bay.
Thanks to the dolphins it was well worth it! On the way back from the gulf into the bay for 5-10 minutes there were two or three dolphins swimming and jumping in the wake on both sides of the boat.





Animals are definitely one of Jordan's biggest interests. It is fun to see him getting more serious and purposeful in his learning. We were really glad he got to take a closer look at one of his favorite animals!

Over the River and Through the Woods

Grandma and Grandpa came to stay...!
Grandma and Grandpa were in Florida with us a few weeks ago! And we soaked in every minute!
The first day while Grandpa had some meetings in Miami, we visited the alligators at Shark Valley in the Everglades. It was a great outing! We counted 15 alligators on our little walk by the visitors center. And they were about as close or closer to us as the one in the first photo! We enjoyed seeing turtles and lots of different birds too. Double the fun because Grandma was there!