Christmas Ships

It's been a family tradition to go to Reidun's every year & go see the Christmas Ships at Madison Park....since I was a little kid. Family dinamics have changed in my family, parents divorced, etc....but Reidun has always had me & my family over every Christmas holiday. It's just part of what we do at Christmas time!

The past couple of years, we've changed the dinner to a soup/salad type

It's the running joke that the kids sit at the closest end of the table, and graduate to farther up as they get older.....but I've stayed at the end, helping with my kids & helping Reidun serve. I kind of like it that way :)

Reidun is always the best hostess - she's always been such a big part of my life - we love her!

Reidun had bought all of the little kids a pack of glow-in-the-dark necklaces on a trip to Japan - they were awesome & Ella loved playing with hers when we got back to Reidun's house.

While we worked on getting dinner put together, the kids hung out, played, & watched cartoons. Our 3 with Carrie's little girl.

Hangin' out......Brae & Carrie's son.

Brae got a hold of our camera......

THE BEST peanut butter balls EVER - Reidun's mother-in-law Betty used to make these, and Reidun makes them now - they have a rice krispy texture peanut butter in the middle of the chocolate.......she's promised me the recipe.......YUM!!!

The kids opening gifts from John.........he's always so sweet, doing something fun for them on TOP of the Zoo membership he & Reidun ALREADY give our family every year!

Ella LOVED her Pez so much, she ran and gave John a hug!

We love you John & Reidun - thanks for being part of our family!!!!!