Happy Holidays

Traditional German Christmas tree at my mom’s house.

This year we are staying close to home during our off time because I am on call today and next week.

My dad’s family came came over last Saturday and we did crafts.

Giant gingerbread house. The boys were using a “frost and toss” method while the girls were using more of a “taste and place” method. It turned out beautifully!
We made these “Dollar tree” gnomes.  The beard material came from JoAnn’s and I had to buy the Christmas socks online because the Dollar tree near me didn’t carry them this year. 

Yesterday we went to my mom’s for presents, tree-lighting with real candles, and dinner.  My mom made my favorite meal which is stuffed peppers.  It was delicious and I got leftovers to eat this week.  Yum!

We also looked through old photos. I was looking for pictures of our German cousins who I have recently contacted through a DNA test website and Facebook. We found some pictures of our ancestors too.

Stefan, Brigit, and Tobias. Doblinger cousins who live in Germany.
Carmen and ??. German cousins who live in Colorado now.
Left to right. Back row: Al, Hilde, Tante Monica. Front row: Betty, Rose, Marty, Kay, and Benno.
The older child here is my mom’s mom, Hilde.
This is Helene Mueller, Hilde’s mother.
Florian Doblinger, my grandpa Al’s father.

Found some other good ones too.

Me, age 2.
Nole playing Christmas music at Ray’s old house.
We also brought out this skull that was found in my mom and Ray’s a few years ago.  Can anyone identify it?  Our best guess is a jackalope. 

We came home and watched a movie and finally got everyone snug in their beds at midnight.

Today the kids opened presents from us and each other. The kids really got into buying each other gifts except for Nova who refused all offers to help her buy or make something for her siblings.

Asa’s gift for Cal was wrapped 7 or 8 times to make things more interesting.
Asa’s favorite gift, a whole lot of miso soup!
The boys building Lego sets and Nova playing with a Barbie.

We just got home from the Chinese buffet. Nole has off of work this week. I have to work tomorrow but we will be taking full advantage of the weather while it lasts which is notably warmer than it was on Halloween and precipitation-free!

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