MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Merry Christmas from Minnesota!

Our Family and a couple of extended family members Martie and Chirstopher Ryland on the right holding Kallie.

St. Leo church was filled to capacity as we celebrated the birth of Christ with a very beautiful mass.

It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone.  Over all it has been a great year.  I have slacked off and not sent out any Christmas cards; I apologize.  Not even a Christmas letter to share…………..We are all doing well and seem to be in good health.  We are officially down to having only six of our nine kids living at home.  The empty nest syndrome in only a small way, as in the food goes farther on a daily basis and we rarely run out of hot water!

My Uncle Gino sent us a Panettone all the way from Silverspring, Md. Thank you very much:)

Jessi and Luke were in Ohio for a few months and returned to Minnesota the end of November and that was wonderful news.  They are building a nice addition to their home; they really need the extra room.  Jessi stays very busy raising her three little ones and making a comfy home for Luke, who works very hard shearing sheep working on his addition.

Peter and Frenchy are doing well and are making a nice home on the hill. They added a large farm shed and have been improving on their home.  They had the best news of the year which is that they had a beautiful baby boy on December 14.   Frenchy stays busy taking care of her two children and keeping her husband happy.  Peter works at West Con.

The kids baked ginger bread cut outs, a Christmas tradtion.

Clayton lives five miles north of Canby on Highway 75.  His horse training facility is nearing completion.  He and Luke are busy shearing sheep here in Minnesota and quite a bit into South Dakota.  They both do a good job and have a very good working relationship:)

The girls fried these Bismarcks and they are delicious!

The rest of the kids are all at home helping to make our little farm work.  If you have read this blog you know what we, who live here, are up to.  Our entire life revolves around the farm and the work that keeps us steady and on a schedule.  All other aspects of our lives have to revolve around the seasons and livestock feeding schedule.  I am proud of the kids who have a great work ethic and take on their farm responsibility with very little complaints.  Because of their dedication, we enjoy wholesome foods from our own work of human hands!  I’ve on got four students left to teach which is very enjoyable.

It’s fun to be able to have the married kids nearby.  I enjoy being able to take a walk up the lane and stop in at either farm-house for a visit, borrow something or lend a helping hand.  It’s a blessing to be able to help babysit grandchildren.

The snowy lane that goes up past Peter and Frenchy’s place and then on to Luke and Jessi’s place on the top right.

Fred still works at West Con and raises a bunch of livestock on our farm.  Me, I am in love with my husband and try to stay busy making his life and our children happy!  That’s the easy job.

Blase, Kallie Jo, Maura, Anya and Cael……our grand-children. Cute!

The family photo way up top was taken recently.  The  young couple you may not recognize are Peter’s brother Christopher and his lovely wife Martie.  She is holding Kallie Jo.  It’s rare to have everyone under one roof at a time and I have Gina M. to thank for this one:)

Isabella, Silvana, Marisa and Magdalene in the choir loft at St. Leo.

Caleb served 4:00 mass at St. Leo with Father Craig Timmerman.

Jessi and French were able to sneak up to sing the traditional O Holy Night at mass and it made me teary! Clayton, Marisa and Silvana also sang with them. 

Christmas is for kids. My own and the grandchildren here.

Frenchy gave Bella a Polly Pocket and as you can see girls of all ages like these cute toys:)

Kallie Jo and her new Christmas blessing, Blase Weston.!

Martie and Christopher Ryland with god-child, Kallie Jo, here for Christmas.

Luke and Jessi singing Christmas carols.

Peter, Kallie Jo, Frenchy, Fr. Craig Timmerman and Blase Weston Ryland at his baptism.

Our married couples, Francesca, Peter, Luke and Jessica.  Mario on the side.

Thank you to all of you who sent us so many beautiful Christmas cards and photos. They are gracing our fridge and we have enjoyed hearing about all of the good things going on in your lives.

May God bless you all with a wonderful life, a life filled with peace, joy, love and happiness.