Rub a Dub Dub

Natalie loves the water and her bath time!  Here are a couple of pictures of her enjoying her bath after we had our Christmas. 

 

even a rinse of water over her face doesn't bother her

Montana Christmas

December 19 we went to Fort Peck to Tony & Amy's home.  Warren's parents, Harvey & Gladys, came out from Glasgow to celebrate Christmas with us.  Amy made brunch - fruit slush and breakfast casserole.  Yummy!  After brunch we did our stockings and opened gifts. 

Part of Harvey & Gladys' gifts from us were calendars made with photos from the farm.  Harvey's had lots of farming pictures and cattle, along with scenes of the farm from throughout the year.  Gladys' had pictures of flowers, her lilac tree and the vegetable garden.  I hope they are nice reminders of their home on the farm.

 

For supper we did a prime rib dinner, a tradition that Gladys started many years ago.  Over the years we have had other dinners, but prime rib will always be special as a Christmas memory.  We had a good visit, Warren and Tony played a little Wii, and a good time was had by all.

Tony turned 25

Its hard to believe that Tony is already 25 years old.  His birthday was December 10, and I made a favorite dinner for him on his birthday.  On the 13th, we had some friends over to celebrate.  Tony, Amy and Natalie were here, Al , Connie and Tom Leland (Connie and Tony share their birthdays on Dec. 10), and Roy & Jodi Neufeld.

 

Tony has traditionally had DQ ice cream cakes for his birthday.  Now that I think about it, why would we do that for a winter birthday?   At least I didn't have to worry about it melting on the way home from town.  Bad photo.  Not sure what is wrong with the camera/flash.

 

Connie Leland, Tony's birthday buddy.

Nana & Papa Day

Tuesday Amy and Natalie came along with Tony when he came up to work in the shop.  It was so much fun to have them up for the day.  Warren was a bit late getting out to work as he promptly took Natalie and gave her a bottle.   She is 3 weeks old now, and such a sweetheart.   Amy was able to get out of the house for a day, take a nap, and let us babysit for a bit.  We loved it.  Since Natalie is enjoying her mobile at home, I got out the floor mat and let her look at the mobile on that for a while.  She seemed to enjoy it. 

 

Yesterday, the 10th, was Tony's 25th birthday.  He and a couple of guys were up working on the hopper bottoms.  I made him a birthday lunch of grilled steaks, pasta and salad.  He'll have to wait for Sunday for his cake.  They plan on coming up for Sunday dinner then and we'll celebrate the big event.  It hardly seems like we are old enough to have kids that are 25 and 23.  When did that happen? 

WMS Christmas Party

Every year our Women's Missionary Society (WMS) (I hope I have the name right.  Everyone just calls it WMS.  ANYWAY!)  Our WMS group at our church has a ladies Christmas party.  For several years now it has been a salad buffet supper, with a program following.   This year was no different - its tradition now, and you don't mess with tradition!  Besides, when else do we get to eat all the fancy salads we want and don't hear the guys complain?   We invite all the ladies from the surrounding communities, and we get quite a few who come who don't attend our group.  Its such fun.

  Lisa Neufeld was our EMC for the night, and did a great job.  I'm sorry I don't have any pictures of Carrie singing, I was off to the side and a bit behind her, so didn't take pics.  She sang 3 songs and did a beautiful job. Mindy and Heidi shared some readings that were really nice.  Connie Leland gave her testimony and did a great job with that. I would have been crying through the whole thing if I was her.    We also played some games.  The gift exchange and decorations this year were snowman themed.

my table - Joy, Jen, Carol, Joan, Dhana, Mindy and Heidi

OK, lets face it.  This is me, and my life revolves around food.  Most of my posts here have something to do with food or family, or both.  I was in charge of organizing the meal.  Etta makes homemade breadsticks (yum!), about 20 ladies brought a variety of salads, I made punch and coffee, and 4 ladies made beautiful layered cakes for dessert.  Here ya go...

the punch table.  I got a great slush recipe from Elisa that was at Amy's baby shower.

Michelle is at the left, with Debbie and Yvonne serving.

 

the salad buffet tables

The cakes!  2 were chocolate with peppermint fillings, one was hazelnut and one was raspberry.  so good!

We had about 47 ladies attend this year.  Its always such a fun evening of visiting, taking a break from all the busyness of the season, and spending time together, having good food, being reminded of the Real Reason for the Season,  singing some Christmas carols, and great fellowship with fellow sisters in Christ.

It's starting to feel more like Christmas

I've almost finished decorating the tree, we've had a few snow flurries, but nothing that piles up recently.  Last night we attended the Glasgow Evangelical Church's Christmas play, One Bethlehem Night. The setting is the inn and stable where Jesus was born.  The music and acting was very good, telling the story in an interesting and entertaining way.  Baby Jesus did her part well.  She squeaked and waved her hand enough that we knew she was a real baby, and not a doll, but no big crying.  The music all around her was pretty loud, especially the finale, but she did well.  And so the round of Christmas programs and concerts begins.

baby shower

Saturday was Natalie's baby shower.  It was held at their church in Glasgow, and was very nice.  Amy's mom, sister and sister-in-law  were all able to attend, so that was really special for all of them.  Amy's friend, Virgina (who is due in just a few days now) gave a touching devotional praying blessings on Natalie, Tony and Amy.

Amy's sister, Carrie, SIL Sarah writing down the baby gifts.

the centerpiece on the gift table made of rolled diapers, bath wash, shampoos and other necessities

the card I made for the shower

blanket from us, along with a couple sleepers

when we saw the fabric with the pink & purple tractors, we had to get it.

and of course Papa had to get her a Pink Panther toy tractor to go with it!

the flannel blanket made by Great Grandma Gladys

beautiful quilt from Amy's family.