Christmas Blessings

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

This year for Christmas we did a little traveling to Grand Forks to spend Christmas Eve at mom and dad's house.  We were surprised to have a visit from Mike and Kaye before they continued on to spend their weekend with Mike and Sue, it had been years since we were able to see them for Christmas


Before getting settled for the night we made a quick trip over to see Grandma, her doctor had decided that due to some health issues it was best that she remain at home and not travel out.  Once we arrived we found her in a deep sleep and very hard to wake and when we would see her eyes open it was for only moments before they would close again with little or no response.  My best Christmas present this year was when I was telling her it was me and then gently kissing her cheek good-bye her eyes opened again and she smiled, I did my best not to let the tears roll in front of her but there was no stopping them as this was my moment with her. 

Back at mom and dad's everyone tried to get back into the Christmas spirit but yet it seemed everyone had grandma in their thoughts.


It wasn't long before the presents were being exchanged.  I was excited to get a picture of my brother with a poem he had written, it's absolutely beautiful!

I was blessed to also have been showered with other gifts from my family, they all are so kind and generous to me.
Blaine did some research and talked to Rick about a good choice of an external flash for my camera, I can't wait to learn how to use it!

Justin got me a new camera strap (pink of course) and a lens filter.

Kayla got me the picture frame that I had been admiring.

Mom and dad gave me a gift card to help out purchasing new flooring, I can't wait to use it!


DeDe and Troy found a little gadget that is right up my alley, a microwave popcorn popper that you use regular popcorn kernels and no oil is needed.    

The kids were surprised with iPod Touches, they were certain that this was the one item on their lists that would not be fulfilled.  It makes me so happy that we were able to give them these and see the excitement on their faces.

For Blaine, the kids and I got him a Kindle Fire; this has been pretty fun for him so far.  He has not had a lot of gadgets in the past years so learning all the new stuff he can do has been keeping him pretty busy.


Now...for my boys.  They all sat so eagerly for their Christmas stockings...looks like the knew there was something yummy in store for them.

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Brody

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Rookie

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Gizmo

I also received a gift from Marylou, an ornament for our tree, it was just the personal touch it needed.  I also want to make note of all the Christmas cards and photo cards that we received this year from family and friends, I believe this year topped the record for the number we have received, unfortunately this year also tops the number of cards I still have to hand out that I was unable to deliver before Christmas.

Christmas day was spent at our house and my immediate family traveled our way to have Christmas dinner with us, it was another wonderful holiday spent with them.  It gives me great pleasure to sit at my table knowing that I am surrounded by those that mean everything to me, make a meal to share with them, be able to say a prayer of thanks together and enjoy the gifts that we received through out the year.


My love is also sent to those that were unable to be with us this year but are spending their holiday with Jesus; love to you all.


May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown

Peewee Black Tournament

This past weekend Moorhead Youth Hockey hosted their first tournament of the year, it also happened to be Justin's team's tournament.  After many months of planning along with the tournament committee it was time to see if the changes that we came up with would be a success...fortunately they were and the tournament went off without a hitch; we even had lots of volunteer workers this year to help keep things going.

This is also the first year that Justin has been on a team that made it to championship, they won all of the games leading up to championship which lead to many smiles through out the weekend.  I was also able to see Justin's first goal of the year; you see the team was down 2 players due to penalties...it was 5 on 3 and Justin grabbed the puck, got past the opponents defense...took it on a break away - deaked the goalie and SCORED!  The crowed went wild and I was choked up that he was finally able to sink one this year and witnessed the whole thing.  This was a great game for me!

The Championship game approached and we found they were playing Winnepeg East, this team had also won all the games they played in this tournament so far...only they were winning their games by many, many, did I say many, more goals than the other teams.  The boys went on the ice with confidence and made their first goal within the first few minute, it also turned out to be their only goal of the game; Winnepeg reciprocated by scoring 4 more than us in that first period.

In the end, as was anticipated, the boys took second place but held their plaque and medals with pride; us parents, held the cameras and took those proud pictures and patted each one on the back for a job well done and an amazing weekend.

Congratulations Peewee Black!

Something about Mary

Out for the evening last night at a Cookie Exchange a dear friend of mine mentioned that she follows my blog and has found that it hasn't been updated in quite sometime.  So as promised...I titled this one 'Something about Mary' in her honor.

We have gotten the pleasure of seeing both the kids perform in school functions all within one week.
Makayla was a reporter in the the 5th grade play called "Lewis and Clark" last Friday; each 5th grade class put on their own performance. We saw Justin play Charbonneau last year and couldn't wait to see the play again this year...we were again pleasantly entertained.

Last night we were invited to watch the 6th grade Christmas Choir concert.  It was the first time that we were invited by the schools to watch either of our kids sing...what a treat this was!  The smile on the kids faces told us they were having a great time too.

Tonight...more cookies are being made.  I made several different kinds on Monday night but with all the hockey practice going on I was alone in this effort; as promised, the kids are making their own cookies tonight.

As for me, I have been busy playing with my new camera and snapping as many pictures as I can trying to learn as much as I can without annoying anyone too much.  I had the pleasure of taking my sisters family pictures this year.  It was a lot of fun and I think she found a few she liked.

I would love for anyone to look at my pictures and give me their input...if your interested in seeing more of what I have done please go to showerofmemories.blogspot.com and give me your thoughts.

And to Mary...thanks for following and being such a sweet friend!