It's been a great holiday for Nancy and me!

Even though we seem entrenched in this unusually cold winter season with no end in sight, Nancy and I have enjoyed a WARM holiday season with family and friends. We traveled to Dorrance on December 21 to spend time with my family, then returned to Manhattan on December 27 to spend a few days with Nancy's family, and then returned to Dorrance for an encore performance for the the New Year celebration. In addition to celebrating Christmas and New Year's during our visits to Thielenville, we also marked the fourth anniversary of Joe's death. I know many of us think of Joe daily and we certainly recognize lots of Joeisms. For instance, we tease Joey about being late to everything, but we know he is just trying to do 'one more thing' just like his dad did. I know Joe would enjoy these holiday photos so these are dedicated to him.

Garrett

Sweet Anna with the head band and flower given to her by her grandma in Topeka.

Kelly Jo

More Sweet Anna

Susan is the main architect of Thielenville. She has created a welcoming home that provides the main meeting place for all of us. Her home is grand central station because so many people stay there, visit, and work there.

Everybody loves the Wii

Joey - I took 'birthday' photos for the people who will be celebrating in the next few months. I am just like a little kid before Christmas - I can't wait until the day so I am sharing some of the birthday photos now. Enjoy

Kevin and Sam - If you are going to spend time at Thielenville, you have to love to play with children because there are always little ones around.

Sam and his version of what to do with an end-of-the-season gingerbread house.

More Sam

Kevin

Kelly and her 'It's midnight - Happy New Year' look.

Sam, Garrett and Anna did stay up to ring in the new year. We counted down the seconds and then danced and celebrated.

Garrett

Sweet Brooklyn - notice how her hair stand up on her head.

More sweet Brooklyn

Sweet Brooklyn

Youtube is a big hit with Garrett and Sam because they love to watch videos of tractors and combines and anything related to farming.

Sam

more Sam

and yet, more sweet Sam

Hallie in her Snow White outfit

Anna in the Cinderella outfit

Debbie and Anna

Sweet Hallie

Debbie gave Kelly and Joey a gift on New Year's eve. Kelly was a little unsure about opening the gift because she thought is might be something unusual.

She was right - Debbie gave Joey and Kelly an old cap from a family reunion. The woman pictured on the cap is a family relative, but we have no idea who it is. Update - thanks to LaVern we now know this woman is my grandmother Siefers. This is my dad's mom Sarah Peirano Siefers. Now we know.

Actually, Debbie sent Joey and Kelly on a scavenger hunt in Susan's house until they found the final gift. They are looking in the kids kitchen for something that will keep them warm.

Joey found it - a bottle of peach schnapps. Debbie gave them clues about the gift she was giving them: a candle to keep them warm, then a bottle of schnapps that would keep them warm.

The actual gift was a home made quilt from Debbie! Check out Kelly's blog for more information.

Susan and sweet Brooklyn