Decorating for Christmas

 

We usually put up the Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I was excited this year to have Claire's help. She could hardly wait for Delwyn to get it up ad get the lights on it. She kept asking, "Is the tree ready yet?"

 



 

Denya and Camille were excited to help too. 

 

 Austin played some Christmas music for us while we decorated. I love it when he plays the piano. He says he doesn't have much time at home to play, so he takes advantage when he comes home and isn't so busy.

 

Claire loved to hang the ornaments on the tree. She kept asking, "What next?" 

 

 

 

 Melissa gave her a boost so she could put some ornaments up higher.

 

 Ryan is getting in the Christmas spirit.

 

 I helped Claire put hooks on the ornaments.

 

 

With everyone's help, the tree is sparkling in no time.

 

The finished result! And then I realized I forgot to put the ribbon around it. I hope I can get in on with all the ornaments already in place.

 

 

These two enjoyed visiting and spending time together this week. 

 

 Santa's little helper! I have a nut cracker that Austin gave me when he was about 12 or so. Claire loved it! She kept calling it the "graham cracker".  It's almost 2 feel high, and Claire would hug it and carry it around. She was so cute with it! Somehow I missed getting a picture of her with it.

 

 Britta hangs the stockings with care, not by the fireplace, but on the wall.

 

 She shows off her finished work.

 

 Sweet sisters! I was surprised how much Claire liked to hold Camille. She wanted to hold her a couple of times each day.

The Guitar Gang

 

 Everyone in the family except Blake and I play the guitar. It looks like Claire is going to fit right in. Ryan has this half size guitar that she loved. She wants to be just like her Daddy.

 

 Landon started Denya on the guitar a few years ago and she has since taken a college class. He just started teaching Britta since he moved back here a few months ago. He is a pretty good teacher and she is picking it up fast. They love to play Taylor Swift songs.

 

 Ryan is just starting to learn a few chords. I think Uncle Ryan is Claire's favorite and she always wants to do whatever he is doing.

 

 Landon wanted to take some family pictures with the guitars so we went to Festival Park in downtown Castle Rock.

 

 The Palmer boys! I didn't realize we have 5 guitars.

 

 A man at the Park asked if they were going to play something. They should have showed off their talents, but they didn't.

 

 Denya loves to spend time with her brothers!

 

 Delwyn taught the boys some guitar basics when they were in high school. They all taught themselves, took classes, and practiced. They are all relatively good, especially Landon.

 

Britta is enjoying learning from Landon. 

 

 I love this picture of the girls! Melissa also plays, but she stayed home with Camille, who was sleeping, so she's not in any pictures.

 

 Fun in the park!

 

 

 Claire played with this guitar quite often. It's not a toy, but it's not a fancy guitar either, so it was perfect for her to use.

 

Every time Landon comes over, he picks up a guitar and plays for a little bit. It was fun having Austin and Denya here. Every night someone would pick up the guitars and jam. Even Austin and Wade who don't have much time to play, got a chance. Those who are just learning, Britta and Ryan, got lots of support and tips. I love music and the feeling it brings. I am thankful my kids have a love of music too!

Family Fun at the Park

Austin and Melissa wanted to do some shopping, so we decided to take Claire to the park. There is one close by that we can walk to in just a few minutes. We have always called it the Red Park. A few years ago, the town remodeled it, but thankfully it still has a lot of red equipment.
 

 

Claire wanted Ryan to play with her in this little house.

 

She loved the twisty slide.
 

Ryan had fun too.
 

 

Denya and Britta would hang upside down on the bars when they were younger. They are still able to do it.

 

I think they are part monkey.
 

I'm not sure what this thing is called, it's a merry go round with a rope cage around it.
 

Blake wanted to climb to the top.
 

Ryan took a turn pushing them all.
 

 

Britta didn't even get dizzy, although her brothers pushed very fast!

 

Claire wanted a turn to push. She managed to get it moving a little bit with Ryan's help. It was a fun hour!

We're All Here for Thanksgiving

 

Everyone is here for Thanksgiving! This is the first time we have all been together since Landon's wedding almost 2 years ago. I have been looking forward to this week for a couple of months now. We started Thanksgiving by watching the dog show. I think this might be Austin's favorite part of Thanksgiving, not counting the turkey. Haha!

 

I couldn't resist taking a picture of the TV and one of the dogs.
 

Claire was very interested in all the cooking and wanted to help make the rolls. She helped Denya with the rolling pin.
 

 

Kneading the dough and rolling up the triangles.

 

 

Mixing up the pudding for the chocolate pie was more fun with Claire's help.

 

 

 Wade mashed the potatoes. Yum!

 

Landon and Megan brought sparkling cider. We usually have lemonade, so it was exciting to have something so fancy!
 

The table is set!
 

 

 Everyone is hungry! It's a tight squeeze around the table.

We go around the table and everyone says 3 things they are thankful for. Some things that were mentioned this year were guitars and music, jobs (Landon and Denya both recently got one), spouses that work hard, and new homes (for Wade and Kimberlea). I am thankful I got to go to Texas when Camille was born. Not many daughter-in-laws would let their mother-in-law come and stay first before their own mother. I am thankful that Landon and Megan came to Colorado instead of going to Texas, and I am thankful for good health so I can swim and play with my granddaughters. Melissa, Kimberlea, and Megan all mentioned how much they love this family and that really touched my heart.
 

 

We added the card table at the end of the regular table to add a few more spots. Blake was the lucky one who got to sit by Claire. 

  

 

Time for the Bingo game tradition!

 

 

Delwyn is always the caller.

 

 

We like to play more than one card at a time to give us a better chance at winning.

 

 

When you get a Bingo, you win a prize. No opening until the game is over! 

 

Denya didn't get any corn nuts this year, so the joke is on the boys this time. She did get this cute mug.
 

 

Melissa models her new oven mitt.

 

Treats for Ryan!
 

Landon got the corn nuts!
 

 

And so did Kimberlea! Happy Thanksgiving! I feel very blessed this year.