I am finally getting to my Christmas post. Sorry for the delay...just haven't been in the "blogging mood" I guess. Frankly, I could have just told you to see Erin's blog as we have about 80% of th same pictures. That would be lazy.
So we headed up to the great northwoods of MN as we do every year. We got to Erin's on the 22nd and then headed up the rest of the way on the 23rd. We got to celebrate Gramma Sally's retirement/birthday with dinner all together. On the 24th it was off to Hibbing for our annual Christmas Eve celebration. All 5 grandkids are seated on the couch. James was only a month old the last time we saw him so it was fun to have him in the mix this year. Next year he'll be two and be able to keep up with the big kids.
He was pretty attached to his mom, of course, but he handled all the craziness pretty darn good for being only one.
Auntie Jojo is known for exclaiming "OHMYLANTA" anytime she sees anything exciting or wonderful....which, if you know Jojo, is pretty often. We had a shirt made for her this year with "Ohmylanta!" printed across the front. Pretty funny. Sorry I cut off her boyfriend Tim. He's a super nice guy who was a real trooper his first Christmas with the Griswalds. (wink)
Gramma Nancy came through and the kids drink out of fancy glasses. For some reason Tony informed everyone that if you drink out of a fancy glass the rule is: PINKY UP!
Elizabeth, looking very smart in her glasses, caught on right away.
Drew looked so handsome in his tie this year. We thought he'd fit right in at a Vegas Blackjack table.
Auntie Jojo ALWAYS goes the extra mile to bring fun activities/crafts for the kids. This year they all had fun playing "Rudolph Spoons." Someday she'll have kids of her own and her games will be called "Let's change a poopy diaper!" and "Let's see how many oversized, loud plastic toys we can fit in our trunk!" ha ha.
Christmas morning the Thompson grandkids (minus Cal and Quinn - who we really missed) awoke to their Santa loot. CC's American Girl doll was a hit with all three.
Tony scored the bow and arrow (nerf-like) set that he had been wishing for.
This picture of CC and "Ruby the Baker" just makes me laugh. I love her face.
Liv is almost a teenager so she doesn't get so much in the way of toys anymore. She LOVED her new jacket and boots that's for sure!
Tony and Livie received a dancing Wii game. CC made a special request that we bring our Wii this year. She was a DANCING QUEEN and Uncle Chris was....
...about as talented as Jeff. Go CC!
Later Christmas day we all headed out to Aysta's in Pike for some good old fashioned winter fun. The kids got pulled in a sled behind the snowmobile, we hiked in the woods, played hockey on the pond and ate lots and lots of good food.
Who knew you could get a purple and pink hockey stick?
We rented skates for the week and Chris sprung for sticks and a puck for Liv and Tony. Papa Jack had fun showing them the fine points of hockey.
It was such a beautiful day and we appreciate Paul and Becky inviting us. We all made wonderful, lasting memories together!
If you checked Erin's blog remember how she said she didn't have a picture of Jocko dancing? Ha!
As usual, Livie ran out of books to read mid-visit. Uncle Jeff came through and let her purchase a book to read on his Kindle, which she thought was pretty darn cool. Her old-school mom still makes her check out books from the library.
We took a ride to Grand Rapids one day with the Maras side and visited the Forest History Center. It was a neat place and looks like a fun place to visit in the summer. We did some antiquing and stopped for dinner at a place called "Zorba's". The kids LOVED sitting in this old pontoon boat complete with cupholders. Food was delish too!
The weather was perfect for a hike out to THE SHACK! Chris and Tony stayed out there the night before with Papa John and Drew. This was a BIG deal for the little boys. And you know what they say...."What happens at the shack, stays at the shack."
The Skubics, along with my parents made the hike out this year. The weather could NOT have been more perfect. It was a fun day for all. The kids love this big rock they found in the woods.
I love this picture of CC jumping off...that girl has no fear!
I have to say, there isn't anything much better than a beautiful winter day outside...other than a beautiful hot day on the beach.
We cooked our lunch over an open fire and roasted marshmallows.
Here's the whole gang. Celia really enjoyed her day and can't wait to sleep out there with Uncle Chris! (I love how she is holding Lizzie's hand in this picture....too cute) We are very lucky our two families can meld together so well.
Before we headed home we spent an afternoon at the bowling alley. This picture pretty much sums it up - no one is quitting their day jobs that's for sure!
Can you believe it is now 2011? Holy cow. Stay tuned as Maras4 hits the beach in a couple weeks.....wahoo!!!!
So we headed up to the great northwoods of MN as we do every year. We got to Erin's on the 22nd and then headed up the rest of the way on the 23rd. We got to celebrate Gramma Sally's retirement/birthday with dinner all together. On the 24th it was off to Hibbing for our annual Christmas Eve celebration. All 5 grandkids are seated on the couch. James was only a month old the last time we saw him so it was fun to have him in the mix this year. Next year he'll be two and be able to keep up with the big kids.
He was pretty attached to his mom, of course, but he handled all the craziness pretty darn good for being only one.
Auntie Jojo is known for exclaiming "OHMYLANTA" anytime she sees anything exciting or wonderful....which, if you know Jojo, is pretty often. We had a shirt made for her this year with "Ohmylanta!" printed across the front. Pretty funny. Sorry I cut off her boyfriend Tim. He's a super nice guy who was a real trooper his first Christmas with the Griswalds. (wink)
Gramma Nancy came through and the kids drink out of fancy glasses. For some reason Tony informed everyone that if you drink out of a fancy glass the rule is: PINKY UP!
Elizabeth, looking very smart in her glasses, caught on right away.
Drew looked so handsome in his tie this year. We thought he'd fit right in at a Vegas Blackjack table.
Auntie Jojo ALWAYS goes the extra mile to bring fun activities/crafts for the kids. This year they all had fun playing "Rudolph Spoons." Someday she'll have kids of her own and her games will be called "Let's change a poopy diaper!" and "Let's see how many oversized, loud plastic toys we can fit in our trunk!" ha ha.
Christmas morning the Thompson grandkids (minus Cal and Quinn - who we really missed) awoke to their Santa loot. CC's American Girl doll was a hit with all three.
Tony scored the bow and arrow (nerf-like) set that he had been wishing for.
This picture of CC and "Ruby the Baker" just makes me laugh. I love her face.
Liv is almost a teenager so she doesn't get so much in the way of toys anymore. She LOVED her new jacket and boots that's for sure!
Tony and Livie received a dancing Wii game. CC made a special request that we bring our Wii this year. She was a DANCING QUEEN and Uncle Chris was....
...about as talented as Jeff. Go CC!
Later Christmas day we all headed out to Aysta's in Pike for some good old fashioned winter fun. The kids got pulled in a sled behind the snowmobile, we hiked in the woods, played hockey on the pond and ate lots and lots of good food. 
Who knew you could get a purple and pink hockey stick?
We rented skates for the week and Chris sprung for sticks and a puck for Liv and Tony. Papa Jack had fun showing them the fine points of hockey.
It was such a beautiful day and we appreciate Paul and Becky inviting us. We all made wonderful, lasting memories together!
If you checked Erin's blog remember how she said she didn't have a picture of Jocko dancing? Ha!
As usual, Livie ran out of books to read mid-visit. Uncle Jeff came through and let her purchase a book to read on his Kindle, which she thought was pretty darn cool. Her old-school mom still makes her check out books from the library.
We took a ride to Grand Rapids one day with the Maras side and visited the Forest History Center. It was a neat place and looks like a fun place to visit in the summer. We did some antiquing and stopped for dinner at a place called "Zorba's". The kids LOVED sitting in this old pontoon boat complete with cupholders. Food was delish too!
The weather was perfect for a hike out to THE SHACK! Chris and Tony stayed out there the night before with Papa John and Drew. This was a BIG deal for the little boys. And you know what they say...."What happens at the shack, stays at the shack."
The Skubics, along with my parents made the hike out this year. The weather could NOT have been more perfect. It was a fun day for all. The kids love this big rock they found in the woods.
I love this picture of CC jumping off...that girl has no fear!
I have to say, there isn't anything much better than a beautiful winter day outside...other than a beautiful hot day on the beach.
We cooked our lunch over an open fire and roasted marshmallows.
Here's the whole gang. Celia really enjoyed her day and can't wait to sleep out there with Uncle Chris! (I love how she is holding Lizzie's hand in this picture....too cute) We are very lucky our two families can meld together so well.
3 comments:
I appreciate you un-laziness! Thanks for the post!
WHERE AND WHEN is your trip?!?!
Love,
Auntie Jojo
Omigosh! Little James looks just like Tony did!!! Talk about cute.....great pictures!
Jo- this blogging thing is a lot of work isn't it? Is there someone we can pay to do it for us, maybe Erin? ha ha.... Love the pictures. you guys always do such fun things! If you guys make a trip up here this summer, we should try to nail down a day to get everyone together!
Carolyn Laurienzo
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