...ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE...

The Willows Nativity:

What to my wondering eyes should appear, but:

Hand-carved Hungarian nativity:

Hand-made pottery folk art Hungarian Nativity:

This is the scene none of the grandchildren know: Grandpa working out the bugs of his vintage train. When they arrive, it is always in working order!

...not a creature is stirring...!

All the neighbors' snow blew into our driveway during the blizzard:

Stepping (not!) out from the garage side door.

It seems no place was safe during the fierce winds! Here, INside the garage the snow was drifted (all doors were closed all the time of course) :

THANKSGIVING!

I got these a little out of order as I posted, so I will explain as I go. The Howells and most of the Cherry family gathered at our home (Grandma & Grandpa's) for The Dinner. We all wish we were still living in the mountains, and the subject comes up every time we share a holiday tradition.
Here are some pre-dinner pics, including Tori and Jeff,:

And Caleb with fiance Nikki:

AT the dinner table, horsing around; Caleb planting a kiss on his brother Keegan: (soon it will be an even match!)

Some of us had not yet seen Nikki's uniquely gorgeous engagement ring. Heidi and Nikki:

Tori, being Tori:

And Keegan, sans piano bench, but still making wonderful music:

Griffin, entranced:
After dinner snack; Dakota on his own:

Grandpa still carving as Carter digs in:

Avvi takes cover under the Thanksgiving tree:

Our table ala Norman Rockwell:

Nova's first family gathering, at 2 weeks old. She seems to be enjoying it Grandpa cleans the carcass of turkey #2, for leftovers:

Tori, after-dinner boredom:

Caleb, "Up to here on tryptophans!"

The 3 lovely Howell girls:

Everyone gets a turn with Nova; here, cousin Jessica:

Cousin Leslie:

Aunt Becky:

Our Thanksgiving table, close-up:And otherwise:

As evidenced, above, I do not take good flash photos. For 2 reasons: I don't know how; and I don't like posed photos of people, so I have to hurry to get candid (some of these I said "hey", so I could catch a face) shot, thus not giving the flash much chance. A good time was had by all, whether captured in a photo or not; another downside of wanting only candid shots.

iNTRODUCING OUR NEW GRANDDAUGHTER!

Of course, all the credit goes to Heidi and Jeff, but this, after all, is the grandparents' blog site!
Nova Grace was born on Veteran's Day, during a wind and rain storm of such proportions that schools were closed the next day. All is well with Heidi and baby!
Here, below, (right after her bath) she seems quite pleased with herself for managing to come in on the storm just 2 hours after her mother was admitted to the maternity ward. Well done, little one!


Jeff is a pro at this:

And actually, so is Carter, now being big brother to 3 girls!

A good bonding time was had by all while Heidi rested a tad - only a tad bit.

Just 15 minutes old; 7# 6 oz. and 18" long, already making our hearts swell:

She is the first dark-haired Howell baby:

Amanda is pleased, but not quite sure of the whole scene:

Tori - who probably had a hand in naming her little sister - got to cut the cord. Here is Nova, just minutes old:This is actually the very first picture taken, 2 minutes after she arrived, safe in Jeff's arms:

FATHER'S DAY GATHERING

Last Sunday most of the family gathered at our house for Father's Day dinner together. GP and H grilled 12 huge rib-eye steaks; H made an immense pan of potato casserole; B's mixed green salad was in the largest pot from the kitchen. We also celebrated J's birthday and that was helped with B's - by request - decadent chocolate cake. Just in case, there was also a fresh apple crisp. Plenty of ice cream was available to top it all off.
We really enjoy our peaceful and somewhat lush back yard when the weather permits, which it certainly did that day.
Here, the Dads take it easy, and so do a few other family members:

Gr-gr-son D took his job very seriously:
Sometimes it just takes two, here with A helping:
And sometimes ya' just gotta' get the job done:
Leslie, here with lots of pain from just having had 2 wisdom teeth extracted. No steak 'n cake for her!

CARTER'S EAGLE COURT OF HONOR, May 29, 2008

Big surprise for Grandpa: Carter selected him to receive the "Mentor" award!

For the whole family to see: Carter's girlfriend, Kate, leads patriotic hymn for congregation:
Carter gets additional surprise: a former scout leader presents him with a flag which has flown over the Capitol in Washington DC:
Carter and Bishop Kinghorn:
Carter talks about Mentor Award: