CHRISTMAS 2014

The Johnson family, Dec. 23 2014

More pictures added on Dec. 27
My Christmas letter in the last blog needs updating.  Todd, Kristy and Nora were with us for Christmas!!  They managed to surprise our entire family when they showed up unannounced to all of us.  They flew to Calgary on Sat. Dec. 14, stayed overnight there and flew to Regina on the 15th.  After renting a car they drove to Lampman and showed up for Dawson and Carter's hockey game.  After an overnight stay at Kirk's they drove to Weyburn and showed up at Abbey's school Christmas concert.  They spent the 16th at Laurel's on her birthday.  That evening I thought there were Christmas carollers at my door and when I opened it, there stood Todd, Kristy and Nora, the surprise of my life!!  We couldn't put anything on Facebook or my blog as they were hoping to surprise Kristy's sisters too. They arrived in Brooks on Christmas Eve and when the family returned home from the evening service, Todd, Kristy and Nora were waiting for them.

So the Johnson family had a wonderful early Christmas with all 17 members of our family together on the 23rd.  The eight grandchildren spent much of the day outside, playing football, hide and go seek and just out walking.  Inside games were spoons, UNO, and the guys played Rook.  They were back outside in the evening for hide and go seek with flashlights and a bonfire.

Ready to come in with rosy cheeks and noses

All families contributed to the turkey supper and we agreed to keep the same menu for next time!  Thanks Greg, for doing a great job of carving the turkey.  Dessert was a DQ cake in honour of Carter's 13th birthday which is on the 26th.

Enjoying the turkey with all the trimmings

Carter is the third teenager in the Johnson family

Instead of hanging the stockings by the fireplace we spent the evening in the living-room and hung the stockings on the wall.
Grandma's contribution to the stockings was Darn Tough socks or tights for the grandkids.

There were many pre Christmas activities too. The first surprise visit from Todd's was in Lampman at the Bantam hockey game.

Hockey fans - Shauna, Jamie, Lindsay, Nora, Eric

Nora enjoying a visit with cousins

in Lampman

The Milestone Flyers (Dawson) versus Lampman Imperials (Carter)

Johnsons and Diekragers after the game

Johnson family after the hockey game in Lampman

The second surprise visit was at Abbey's school program

And last of all, they surprised Grandma in the midst of making a batch of flatbread!

Supper at Laurel and Greg's after a trip to Regina on Dec. 19

On Dec. 21 Clare, Todd and Carter drove to Winnipeg to take in a Flyers game against the Winnipeg Jets.  Abbey went along to visit her Auntie Patti and spend time with her cousins.  The game was lopsided and I went to bed after watching until the end of the second period.  I was amazed to find out in the morning that the Flyers had won, scoring a goal ten seconds into overtime!  What a game for these two long time Flyer fans!

Getting ready to head to the game

These fans came prepared!

Clare and Todd at the Jets vs Flyers game in Winnipeg

Kristy and the grandkids made a gingerbread house.  They had great fun doing this and here is the result, just before the house collapsed!  It was real good eating though.

The Johnson gingerbread house

I have more pictures of Christmas events but I think I will stop with these highlights of the Johnson family Christmas.  I am so thankful that we could all be together for this special time of celebrating the birthday of Jesus, our Saviour.