Christmas 2009 Part One

High Dickie Days are underway. Maren and Gavin arrived on Friday 18 December and Saturday was Carrie and Grant's wedding (see previous post). That morning, dark and early, I took Phil, Meags, Ollie, and Meg to the airport for their flight to Hawaii. We have missed them, but are quite certain they are having a good time.

Gavin springs Harry after a long ride

The Taylors ready for a Hawaiian getaway

Sunday we celebrated Madeline's fourteenth (crazy, huh?) birthday. Emily made a delicious Brazilian dinner and the family gathered here.

The birthday girl and the founder of the feast

"Money is always the best gift"

Some people just can't help themselves: they
have to be silly

Last night, Monday 21 December, we all went to Anna's for a warm and wonderful soup dinner. On the way we made a stop at IKEA to buy some picture frames for various Christmas gifts. Mille and Holden joined us for supper and a visit to Pioneer State Park for the annual Candlelight Christmas. Unlike last year, it was very crowded. We should know better than to go so close to Christmas and on an FHE night. It was fun, nonetheless. The highlight was the dance in the schoolhouse; the binkers and their parents are enthusiastic dancers. (Thanks to Katy for help with some of these photos.)

She's a lumberjack and she's OK . . .

As I said, some people just can't help themselves

Pioneer Village is wonderful at Christmas

The Pine Valley Chapel aglow in the snow

Holden and Millie

Gavin, Harry, and Maren

David and Kris

Brigham Young's farm house

The binkers rolling bee's wax candles

Rob helps Clara with her bee's wax

Auntie Katy and young Anders cut a rug

More rug cutting (photo by Anna)

There are still many more activities to come and we will keep you posted.

OXO

D.