Rehfeldt's Christmas Party 2009!

As many of you know, this year the Rehfeldt Christmas was a mixed bag of emotions. That wonderful photo of Dave's family below is missing a huge part of their lives...Venita's husband for 41 years, Paul and Jason's father, Kara and Jennifer's father-in-law and Noah, Adam, Hannah, Autumn and Oliver's grandpa. If they had not been able to attend this year, it would not have felt like a Rehfeldt Christmas Party for me. After all Dave was the Santa who took over when our father passed away. And we Rehfeldts missed our brother and my mother her son.

But thanks to my wonderful nephew, BJ who takes awsome photos, came with his equipment and was able to take such a great photo of Dave's family...I just sorta snapped a photo with my camera to get a photo for my blog. Thanks also to BJ for setting up his equipment so family members could have him take great photo of their family.

I just love every new babies that are born into our family. Did you know that my grandson Sam was my mother's 56 GREAT grandchild? I've said it enough, so you may already know that wonderful fact. We had three new babies this year at the Christmas party...Oliver, Sam and Isabelle ! I'm wondering what they will be like in six or seven years..

Perhaps like Jacob, Brigitte, Mikayla, Dakota, Sydney, Spencer...up to no good. Ha! I must confess that the little girl doing the whispering is none other than my granddaughter, Brigitte. (Better keep my eyes on her.) Christmas without kids of any age is not alot of fun...we'll think about that one...there are moments.

And we are so blessed to have my ninety-two year old mother, Agnes Theresa still with us to read the true meaning of Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ.

Then after singing many wonderful Christmas Carols...our finally song to give a cue to Santa is "Here comes Santa Claus".

We were all grateful for Aaron filling in for our brother Dave this year. And it was fun as always. Most of the kids knew who Santa was and just play along with the fun.


This year we did our party a week earlier and instead of an evening one we needed to have an afternoon party. With my large family we try very hard to please MOST everyone. Not everyone can make it when we have it on Christmas Eve. But these are things that I truly missed this year beside my brother Dave. The Christmas caroling in people homes, the limited time we had the building for (Another party was coming in.) With Bj taking photos some family didn't get a chance to have their family photos taken because we ran out of time. And then..

my sister Linda from France had to stay at our home because she had gotten sick and couldn't come. Here all the way from France and couldn't attend her own family Christmas party! Glad to report she is starting to feel somewhat better.

But it was such fun getting the food ready. Everyone is so helpful with setting up and cleaning up afterwards. The food always so delicious. The visiting with family members is so fun. And of course the singing, the skits..Jan did an A plus one. Hopefully a family member has it on video! Great job Jan. And the nieces and newphews did a great job on their parts. Scott and Box Mania. Santa and the kids.

With such a large family..we had about 73 family members this year, I did 3 slide shows. So if you have the time or even the interest, just sit back and enjoy each one.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!

Box Mania!!

"What's BOX MANIA?" you ask. Well, let's just say that it's one of the zany things that my brother Scott is totally responsible for. The last two years I have come in last!!!

Scott picks on his sisters and sister-in-law to do this game. Can't wait the year when he picks on the brothers and brother-in-laws. At any rate, it fun and sorta of like Let's Make a Deal. Each person picks a box. The inside lid has something written on it.."You get to pick 10 items from off the table behind you..etc. Mine was, You get one item off the table. I really didn't care (too much) I had spotted earlier the bottle of Listerine I was out of at home, so I grapped it and was pleased. (I must get smarter at this game. I'm not a very good looser. Just ask anyone who plays boardgames with me, like my friend Jackie.) Scott will offer you items off the table and you can choose if you want the box or those items.

It's so much fun. There is alot of wheeling and dealing going on. Jola was first and boy could she bargain with Scott. I need to start hanging out with her. Lina got the best prize...a wallet that contain $10.00 in it. Maybe I should hang out with her! At any rate enjoy the video below.

Here Comes Santa Claus!

One of the oldest traditions in our family is the coming of Santa Claus at our Christmas Eve party. Since my father's death in 1983, several different brothers have filled in the gap. But mostly it was my brother Dave who did the honors. As you all know, Dave will spent Christmas in heaven this year, having died December 4th. My wonderful nephew Aaron filled the gap this year. Let me just say at this point, the Rehfeldt family know the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS...THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST.

What was fun this year was when Santa sat down next to my mother and asked her, "Should I give these children any gifts." With a very stern look, she said, 'HAVE THEY BEEN GOOD?" Laughter filled the whole room.

Let's take a moment and look at who sat on Sant's lap. Please forgive me for not getting everyone who sat on Santa's lap...there were these annoying parents with their camera in hand who just had to stand in front of me...the nerve!LOL ! ENJOY THE VIDEO

Thanksgiving - Nice & Quiet 2009

Usually we are off to someone else's home for Thanksgiving. Be it my sister, Louise or Brett's family in Geneva. BUT this year Gary wanted to bake a big turkey and just stay home....so we did. I'm so glad that Brett, Ann-Marie and Sam could join us. My dear friend Jackie was also free to enjoy Thanksgiving with us. For some reason or another...babies are always the main attraction at any event, and Sam was no exception.

So Gary took care of the sixteen pound turkey and the turkey dressing. I did the green bean casserole and veggie tray. Ann-Marie made Mrs. Soderstrom delicious mashed potatoes ...they are so good, you don't need gravy or butter on them. She also made her own famous cream cheese filled rolls.

Jackie arrived with three great desserts! I thought that she was only bringing a pumpkin pie. But she arrived not only with the homemade pumpkin pie but homemade apple pie and chocolate cupcakes. (That was Ann-Marie's favorite dessert.) As for me I loved her apple pie!

Here you have the table setting of some of our good food.

Jackie and I enjoyed a nice hot cup of tea with our pie.

Well, later Brett took a nap while Gary retreated to the garage to continue recycling some items he had collected along life's road. Some habits never die. In the meantime, Ann-Marie and I taught Jackie how to play a card game called Golf. She must have enjoyed it (She doen't like games too much.) She played three rounds with us.

Jackie headed for home and Ann-Marie and I headed to the movies to see The Blind Side.

It was indeed a more quiet Thanksgiving I've had in a long time...but I enjoyed every part of that day. So thankful for family and friends to share this day with.