Merry Christmas 2011
Our Christmas was celebrated both in Arizona and Oregon. Ken spent this time using his creative welding/building talents and lots of elbow grease to build gates for our new fence around the back lot!

Joanne flew off to Portland for medical appointments and celebrations with friends and family including her OSU "sisters".

A short but picturesque ride to Seattle was taken on Amtrak a few days before the 25th. Each day included highlights such as a visit with niece Teresa and tea with another friend of MANY years. My granddaughter was intrigued that her mother Mary and my friend Mary had the same name...indeed that was no accident!

A special treat was accompanying Mary and her family to the Mercedes Benz family Christmas celebration in Bellevue. Santa was a winner with my little granddaughters. What a fun way for baby Hayden to be introduced to Santa on her first Christmas!

During the days prior to Christmas we enjoyed the Macy's Snow Flake Celebration, shopping in Bellevue, and visiting a favorite nursery in Woodinville.

Christmas afternoon we loaded the entire family (including the dog Bailey in her kennel) into the truck to head south to Beaverton, Oregon for an evening celebration with all three of my daughters and families.

Melissa's family celebrates Elena's first Christmas! Certainly SKYPE is great when communicating over the miles but Grandma Joanne confirmed there is no comparison with "hands-on"!

Michelle's family was lots of fun with the young men exhibiting their enthusiasm. We also celebrated Trevor's accomplishments as he finished his GED this fall. Getting to be a volunteer for Michelle's esthetician training was fantastic...what a great facial! I am confident she has found her calling.

Yes...Grandma Joanne is all smiles as she is surrounded by three granddaughters and three grandsons!

The joy this Christmas was exceptional with my daughters...we are all moms! Having two new baby granddaughters and a new baby great niece will forever put 2011 in the family record book!