Happy New Year

Guess we should have tried the New Years Hat picture first thing in the evening. Mikko was ready for bed.

Mikko grabbing streamers.

My cutie pie.

It was a party atmosphere!

David making his pizza.

Bobby's turn

Gretzky on Guitar...she should have been with Uncle Damon!

Through the tunnel over and over and over....

Carrie and Charles dressed up for their Mystery Dinner Party
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Happy New Year

Hoping for as many blessings in 2010 as 2009.

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Tonight Bobby and Greta came over to spend New Year's Eve with David and Mikko because Carrie and Charles went to a Dinner Party. Damon had a gig with Ross in Virginia, so Carol came over to help me out. Could I have a better Mother-In-Law - I think not. I decorated the living room with streamers, David wanted to pull them all down, of course. We made individual pizzas that each kid got to create. We had pie. Bobby said he didn't like pie. When I explained that it was "Oreo" pie though, it changed his mind. We watched movies on the couch and ate Pringles.

Despite Greta getting sick and having her Mommy and Daddy pick them up, it was a very fun night. What a fun thing to have cousins to play with!

Winter Wonderland

We took some pictures of the beautiful snow before we left Sunday morning. I even got a picture of this bird at one of the many feeders.

17th Annual Westfork Literary Society - December 26th

Mikker's out for a ride in the sled.

Getting pulled by Mommy.

Mikko and Lucia - Shack Babies at heart.


Another crew on the Dray Ride, a Literary Society Tradition, no matter the weather.

All the Peterson Grandkids.

David helped himself to a plate of cookies.

Sheryl holds the rosy cheeked babies that were down to their onsies by the end of the night as the cabin got so warm.

Dick and Dad

Allen and Shirley

Thank goodness we have the new addition on the Shack so everyone can fit! Our families are sure growing.

The kids hanging out in the bunkbed during the "Meeting".

The kids sang Rudolph, led by Emma!

Nissa reads the traditional opening poem "The Cremation of Sam McGee". She has never missed a Literary meeting yet and has been reading it since she was 13 years old.

Damon reads his piece.

Brady read his original work on how things haven't changed at all since they have had a baby. Friday nights they are still fumbling bottles and Saturday night they still wake up in a daze!

Grandma Marlene wrote about the Elf ornament she has put on the tree the past 50 years. It was a gift from one of her students. Carrie and I always hated putting it on the tree when we were growing up because we thought it was so ugly. We'd always place it at the bottom back of the tree. She always felt bad for it that we hated it so much. We love it now : )

Dad reads about "Change". Of course he got teary eyed at the end.

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We had the 17th Annual Westfork Literary Society on Saturday. All the members braved the snowy roads to meet once again, at the little log cabin in the woods to read their poems, stories, and various writings. Every year I am so amazed at the things people come up with, I keep thinking people will run out of ideas. We all laugh and cry at the original writings. Of course there is also the traditonal Tom and Jerry drinks, dray rides, sledding, food and "just a few" beverages! It is truly a unique event for all the "Westfork" members, something we anticipate all year long! This year there about 35 people there.

Christmas Day

Here is David playing "INSIDE" of the Dollhouse that Grandpa made for Greta.

David woke up first on Christmas Morning. We went to check out the Christmas Tree to see if Santa had visited. He noticed the presents, but very quickly realized that Santa has also covered the tree with candycanes. He climbed over all the presents to pick one off the tree. As he pulled his candy cane, the WHOLE tree toppled over onto the floor. Ornaments flew everywear, presents were scattered. We just stood there for about 5 seconds staring in disbelief. Then David cheerfully exclaimed "I GOT IT" and held up his candy cane. A moment I will never forget in a million years. Damon and I laughed so hard that we woke everyone else up and they had to come and see what was so funny. Here is is holding his candy cane proudly.

The kiddies in front of the tree. (After propping it against the wall)

Bobby screamed like I've never heard before when he opened his Wii.



Bird's Eye view of the Christmas mess.


David and Greta hadn't even opened all their presents when we found them amongst the chaos playing with bubble wrap. All the thought, money, wrapping that goes into presents and this is what they want to play with : )

Mikko was thoroughly entertained with wrapping paper.

Mikko and Grandma, the Mikko Whisperer. She is amazing how soothing she is to him. He falls asleep on her all the time and just adores her. It's gotta be the Finnish name.

Inside David's new Thomas the Train play tent.

The kiddies in their PJs the day we had to leave.

David having his absolute favorite - "Hot Chocolate Milk"

Greta and David jumping off the bench (for the 100th time). They were SO adorable playing together all weekend.

Grandma even played the Wii. She played Mario Kart. It was absolutely hilarious. She was yelling and screaming.

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Christmas tucked away in our Northwoods cabin! It couldn't have been more perfect.