And all around the house –

     glimpses of Christmas

 

   

  

    

 

Christmas Activities with the Grandkids–

In the middle of December, we spent a weekend with our Grandkids in Seattle.

We met in Everett at the Children’s Museum and while Harv and the boys explored the museum,

 

   

 

   

Dulci , Ella and I went to a special children’s performance of the Nutcracker.  The (mostly) young performers did an excellent job and Ella was entranced by the costumes, music and dance.

 

 

  

After we all had lunch together, we headed to their house to make gingerbread houses.  It was harder than anticipated so PopPop came and demonstrated his architectural and structural knowledge..    

The kids kept PopPop well grounded while waiting for the gingerbread “mortar” to dry.

                                                                                      

Mom and Dad took a mini retreat on Whidby Island, so we stayed with the kids for the night

The next morning we took the grandkids shopping for gifts for their mom and Dad and to have their picture taken with Santa as a special surprise. 

By the time the gingerbread houses where dry enough to decorate, Dad and Mom were back and we had a special dinner of Raclette.

   

It was a wonderful way to celebrate the coming of Christmas and spend precious time building memories with the grandchildren.

Christmas is Coming –

It’s been very busy around here.  There was lots to catch up on after our holiday.

One thing we chose to make time for when we got home  was  a weekend in Seattle to see the grandkids.

We went shopping for an Advent wreath – .

 

of course PopPop found something that interested the children more than wreaths and candles!

Nana and Ella made Christmas ornaments for the tree.

 

  

Back at home, I had fun making up some outdoor arrangements.

I love the red berries, and varied shades of the different evergreens.

Some, pine, spruce and fir, and some huge red ornaments and glittered mesh ribbon and the front entry looked like Christmas.

 

Meanwhile Harv was stringing lights outside.    He loves doing this and we have a standing joke about how he buys more lights every year.

The result  of his creativity are impressive – we have a  winter wonderland around the house.

The lights brighten the dark night reminding us how Christ’s coming brightens our dark world.

…… and Tropical Fish

 

 

 

These Sergeant fish  came in droves when I held out a bit of bread in my hands.

I could feel their tiny teeth against my fingers.

 

This little guy darted in and out of the camera frame – neon blue dots and a yellow tail.

 

Lots of bright blue and lighter blue fish

 

And a few juvenile Stop Light  Parrot fish – I think that’s one down in the corner. 

They have clearly defined scales and a red belly when they are young and then turn to a sea green with a pink sheen

when they are older- looking like a completely different fish.

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And last ,but definitely not least – this spotted eel.

Of Hobie Cats …

We saw them lined up on the beach – these colourful “Hobie Cats”

They just seemed like a perfect photo op.  Two days later, we reserved one for an hour’s sail.

   

It was so much fun, we did it again a few days later.

These little catamarans are sturdy, and very easy to sail.  Once you learn the very basics of how to tack

(turning the sail  to catch the wind so you can zig zag back and forth),  it’s all fun and games.

We bought a little underwater camera before leaving on our trip – it’s a Nikon and we really enjoyed using it.

However, you had to watch those pesky waterdrops on the lens.  I learned later to blow them off before taking a photo.

 

Hobie back on the beach again.  A perfect way to enjoy  a sail on the warm ocean.