Christmas on New Year’s Eve

Tired of Christmas yet? Too bad – I still have one last Christmas to share with you. We traveled over the river and through the woods (and over the Cascade Mountains) to celebrate Christmas at my mother’s house on New Year’s Eve. We arrived to a blazing fire, beautiful traditional Christmas tree, perfect cookies and lots of food, family and fun.

Mom made popcorn garland which I am seriously coveting! She also made those medallions and the little traditional picture ornaments with the glitter around the edges – love them. The tree was hunted down in the wilderness. They had to go pick one out before the snow hid them, then a couple weeks before Christmas, dad went out in the jeep and brought it home! You outdid yourself decorating that tree, mom!

After a thorough inspection of all mom’s hand crafted ornaments and her holiday decorations, we were ready for presents. My brother and his wife and my niece had gotten there the night before. Maddy and Mark had a blast tearing through presents!

Then we relaxed and waited for the food.

That is Corky. He is dad’s flabby tabby. He likes to try to make out with everyone who goes to Mom and Dad’s.

We played with toys…

And watched movies…

And hung out with Papa…

Wait – we’re missing one…

Haha, maybe not this time! Last time she was having stare downs with papa and this time she decided to play the scared card. Yeah, right! That girl is scared of nothing. She is a drama queen.

Hot cocoa with sprinkles…

Ty and I escaped for our traditional walk through the winter wonderland… but I think the valley was a little busier this weekend than I remember. My parents front pasture was a highway for snowmobilers…

The snowmobiles had packed it down so hard we were able to walk through the fields where a couple feet of snow would have normally had us sinking past our knees with every step.

We look like we’re from Russia or something in that picture.

Of course we had to continue back to the river – we always have to look at the river. By the way this is my scenery on our walks as I stop to take pictures of everything and he keeps trudging ahead and I run to catch up…

At least he tolerates it! Anyway, the river looked like this…

Much of it was frozen. It freezes on the top like usual and you can also see ice underneath that is frozen, it is strange. I didn’t have my zoom lens and wasn’t inching closer to get you a picture.

Got pics of Suzie in my rocker from when I was a girl and giving loves to the horsie…

And worked on a project that I will blog about this week. Sneak peek? Okay…

That was a big hint!

So holiday craziness is done! I am almost caught up on house cleaning. I didn’t entertain at my house much for Christmas, so I let a lot of things go. If I mop and clean the bathrooms tomorrow I will be able to breathe easier! And then ride my horse, play soccer and grocery shop, after church. I think having my house clean might be a pipe dream! =)