Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

It seems it was only yesterday that we welcomed 2014 and here we are on the threshold of 2015. We moved once again, although within the same state and pretty much the same area. The new house provides ample space for the many projects that the boys dream up in their spare time. Lukas has his own domain, an electronics lab, and Noah rules over a large Lego building area, both anchored by a downstairs kitchen where popcorn and other treats are concocted at all different hours.

Our blog details our travels, travails, joys and sorrows over the last year - the most significant change is the loss of Tom, a fantastic father, perfect pappy and fabulous father-in-law. Our lives are bit dimmer without Tom's ever present smile and cheerful attitude.

Christina's father is not letting cancer get him down and celebrated his 80 birthday in style surrounded by family and friends from both near and far.

Lukas is about to tower over his father and this may be the year that Christina will take on the role as shorty in the family.

Both boys continue to thrive in their education,  exploring areas of interests as varied as Ham radio, electronics, robotics, tinkering, wood working, Lego, Scouting, art, gardening, reading and music. It is a wonder they ever get any "real" school done, there are so many other things to occupy our time.

As the year draw to a close, we are grateful for friends near and far, for family spread out yet able to gather for significant events, and most importantly for the most amazing gift of all:  God sending His one and only Son to earth. We rejoice in His birth at this time of year. May God richly bless each one of you this new year, may You sense His presence clearly and draw strength and comfort from His loving arms.

Merry Christmas from our house to your!
Bob, Christina, Lukas and Noah

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy. Ps 126:3

Having fun

The boys headed downstairs to construct Noah's newest Lego set.

It was a pretty complicated truck with winches, motors, pneumatic pistons driving the many moving parts. Despite the complexity, it did not take these two master Lego builders long to complete it.

One way to open a package

Noah used his new ax in an unorthodox way and then proceeded to annoy his brother as he popped all the plastic bags from the brown box....

Early Christmas celebration

On Saturday, we celebrated our family Christmas. The boys could not wait any longer to open the packages that arrived from afar the corners of the world. Furthermore, we needed freezer space for Christmas Eve soups and there were nice steaks and tasty desserts in there, so what better reason than hosting a small special Christmas dinner and gift opening?

K Animals

How many animals can you think of that starts with the letter k? Noah had fun pondering this question. 

Practicing map drawing

Noah took advantage of the condensation on the windows to draw his US map.

Celebration

Christina headed to Sweden to help celebrate her Dad's 80th birthday. It was a lively event; abundance of tasty food and large crowds of family and friends recognizing this mile stone. How fortunate that the weekend followed so that everyone could recover a bit from such extensive and enjoyable festivities.

Final Touch

The final touch of holiday decoration is up! A fresh green wreath on the door with a large red bow - nothing says Christmas like this. Thank you Grammy for supporting the Boys Scouts, and thank you Barb for adding this festive touch to our home.

Come on in, we are ready for Christmas!

Photo shot

Sunday afternoon we set up the camera for the annual Christmas picture, the outtakes are so funny.....

There really is one in which we all smile, sit up properly, and nothing growing out of our heads :-) Stay tuned, it will soon arrive in you mail box via old fashioned snail mail. 

Cleaning elf

Noah embraced Saturday morning cleaning

Building and decorating our house

A longstanding Christmas tradition is making and decorating a gingerbread house.

This year, the attention was given to the yard rather than the house....