Poppi was in charge -

Poppi was in charge of the Oergel Kids this past week while Grami, Mommy and Daddy worked.  A routine was quickly established - wrap in your blankie and take Grami to work.

A couple of days they took Grami to lunch once at McDonald's and once at Burger King.  Burger King was proclaimed the "Best Ever". 

Marcus was always the first one up and found his favorite place - Poppi's chair.  This week has flown by without any pictures.  Poppi is not a camera guy.  (Actually said he was too busy to take a picture.  Woman's work to much big guy?)  The kids did love Poppi's cooking.  All three kids requested seconds of SOS - I did call it hamburger gravy on potatoes.  Last nights barbecued chicken and fresh carrots was a hit too.  The Spicy Apple Barbecue sauce we bought at Cabela's was the perfect condiment.  There was a lot of imagination going on every day, I found my Christmas decorations rearranged most evenings, the bear nativity set was a favorite - the three bear kings arrived by truck!   Each night we played in the hot tub before bed.  The sharks Auntie Kimmie brought over are great!  Today Uncle Raymond is picking up the kids and taking them back home for New Years.  Lunch won't be nearly as fun and the house will be too quiet tonight.  Thanks Tracie and Marc for the opportunity to spend time with the grandkids.  Poppi is looking forward to his next visit on the 16th! 

Fun

 Crafting before breakfast -

 Finally, we have some snow!  It's even warmed up a bit. 

 Catch!

 Sledding

 Run, Colby, Run

 More, Uncle Colby, More

 Time for Marcus to come inside and warm up. 

 Hummmmmmm,

 Baylor chilling with the cousins.

Messing with Marcus.

 Messing with Elle.

Messing with Grami!

 Elle's trying to figure out with Olivia and Emma are doing.

Funny stuff!

 Hot tubbing

The snow didn't keep us out of the hot tub this evening.  Sharkboy aka Marcus was busy showing us his diving moves.  Good night everyone - I think everyone here is just plain tuckered out! 

Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve -  Emma discovered that the squirrel decoration was a real nutcracker!

 After a few squeezes she asked Daddy for a little help.  Pecans anyone?

 Poppi barbecued burgers for dinner - turkey or beef with Swiss cheese, mushrooms, grilled onions and fresh avocado from Mike and Apple. 

 Cleaning up the toys before getting ready for bed and Santa. 

 Marc and Tracie tracked Santa's progress with a little help from the NORAD Santa tracker - better hustle to bed kids, Santa is in South America.  He's headed our way! 

 Christmas morning was a treat watching the excitement of Olivia, Emma and Marcus. 

 Marcus and Daddy set up the new Matchbox cars and Army Guys.  I think it's great that the little cars are still just as cool as when my brothers were little.  My Dad even had a matchbox car collection! 

 Marcus colored on his new light table - Great picture of Buzz Lightyear!

 Olivia colored the dinosaur.

 Emma worked on the slinky dog.  Fun stuff for sure! 

 Of course, after an hour or two the imagination toys came out.  "Look Grami, I'm in the hot tub eating cookies, muffins and drinking milk!"

 Emma joined Marcus for a "hot tub break".

 The sunrise was beautiful this morning - Grami with Marcus. 

 And Marcus and Mommy.  What a great sport! 

Traditional Christmas Breakfast.  Little Smokies Casserole, Caramel Butter Braid and fresh fruit.  We hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas Day. 

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

 This year I made a little Christmas book for the Grandchildren.  The star of the story is Gimbel - Santa's elf that comes to visit Grami and Poppi.  Bruce and I had a great time taking the photos! 

 Gimble checked out the tin man ----- I cautioned Bruce to watch out .....

 Gimbel fell on his porcelain face into the snow - 

 Lucky Gimbel popped back up without a scratch or dent! 

 Snow angel

 Apples for Santa's Reindeer - we left the apples out after the photo shoot and the next morning the fruit was all gone and deer tracks were found in the snow. 

 Gimbel is working on a trip for Grami.....

Some place tropical?

I had a lot of fun writing the story to go with the photo's. Last night was the first time I read the story to Marcus, Olivia and Emma.  It was fun to watch their faces when they recognized places and things around the house.  Marcus thinks Gimbel is a pretty cool little guy.

Bruce is out in the wood shop working on his Christmas gifts - nothing like waiting until the last minute, retired guy!  Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas!!! 

T'was the weekend before Christmas

 We are still socked in with freezing fog - notice poor #7401 has icicles on her ears! 

 On the bright side we saw Santa's new ride for Christmas in Yakima.  Think it might be a Ford this year! 

 Visited Barrett's Orchard gift shop -

 Great display!  They even sold Cougar Gold. 

 Back home to the dense fog.  Lucky for us, the neighbor lights his entrance in the winter! 
On a side note - I could sell this stuff!  Weldbond glue is the best!!!  It glues Syrocco - the plastic stuff they make a lot of knick knacks out of.  The donkey on my Sandman statue came out of the box with broken ears this year.  Weldbond glued the ears back on without a mark.  I also used it to repair an angel statue.  I am so excited to find a glue that really works without burning my fingers or gluing them together.  It is made in Canada and we found it at Woods Ace Hardware in Ellensburg.  Hope you've finished your shopping - not fair to shop on Christmas Eve!