A little over a month ago my uncle lost his battle to cancer and passed away on Easter.  The next weekend our family gathered together to say goodbye.  It’s not very often that we are all together and get to spend a weekend together. There were a few family members who could not be there, but most of us were able to be together.  Here are some pictures of the weekend:

There was a fun closet in the room we stayed in and the kids loved hanging out in it.  Hailey and her cousin Sammy are probably making some plans.

Sammy, Hailey and Anika

Sammy, Hailey and Anika having a little picnic.

Watching a movie together.

Logan with his grandma

Suzy

Danielle

Some cousins watching a movie together.

Beautiful view

Sisters

The guys

The girls

The next generation

I’m finishing up posting some pictures from our Christmas and New Years celebrations.

The day after Christmas my Aunt Jayme and Uncle Earl and their three girls came from out of town to visit.

Hailey loved having her cousins Bethany and Sammi to play with.

Hailey and Sammi watching a movie together.

Then on New Years Eve, Rich, Hailey and I went over to my parents house to join my parents, Matt and Ellie for a New Years Eve party.  We had tons of yummy food, watched some football and played some games.

An exciting game of Chutes and Ladders!

On New Years morning we had a delicious breakfast made by the guys.

Later on in the morning my dad thought it would be fun to take Hailey sledding down their hill.

Hailey was not convinced that sledding down the hill looked all that fun.

Hailey walked next to the sled while Pa tried to convince her to get on with him.

And her final decision- to walk down the hill.

So they built a snowman instead.

Last week I posted about Christmas morning and now I have finally had some time to upload some more pictures from later in the day.  In the afternoon, my parents, Mike, Matt and Ellie all came over for Christmas dinner.  (Some of these pictures were taken by me, some by my dad and some by Ellie.)

Everyone ready to eat.

Then it was time to open some more presents.

Murray and Brady check to see what Ellie is opening.

Hailey with some presents- looking a little tired from all of the activities of the day.

Hailey enjoying her gifts.

Then it was time to go to the garage to see Hailey’s last present.  (Thanks to Ellie for getting these pictures of Hailey’s face as she realized what it was.)

Hailey realized what she was looking at and that it was for her!

Checking out her new log house.  It will have to stay in the garage for now until the snow is gone and it can be set up outside.

Hailey looking out the window of her new house.

We finished off the evening with snacks and games.  Lots of fun times together with the family!

After a fun evening on Christmas Eve spent celebrating at my Aunt Winnie’s house we came home and Hailey went right to bed.  She was too tired to try to stay awake waiting for Santa.

Soon after Hailey went to sleep Santa stopped by to deliver some gifts.

Hailey actually slept in a bit on Christmas morning until about 7am.  Then she came in to tell me and Rich that is was morning.

She walked out to the living room and saw that Santa had brought her some presents.

Opening up her Strawberry Shortcake Berry Cafe.

I know this picture turned out blurry- but Hailey is showing off the gift that she made at preschool for me and Rich for Christmas.  She was so proud of it and I was excited because it’s the first homemade Christmas present I have from her that I didn’t help her make.

Hailey opening up her Achoo Baby- she asked for this doll every time someone asked her what she wanted for Christmas.

Brooke opening up some new clothes.

And of course Dottie got some presents too.

After we opened our presents from Santa we went over to Rich’s parents’ house for more gift giving.  I didn’t take any pictures while we were there.  Later my parents, brothers and sister-in-law came over to our house for dinner and more presents.  I’ll post those pictures in another post.