We finally got everyone in one place for a picture.  Weather and health worked in our favor this year.

Michelle and Pete's Rachel enjoyed being a part of the celebration.

Ellie, Anna and Summer helped Joy get her special Santa Lucia bread ready for our Christmas dinner, adding the candles and cherries.  Then once we were seated at the table, we lit the candles on the Santa Lucia bread and the girls got to blow them out.

Before opening presents, Joy helped the girls tell the Christmas story using angel decorations from our tree, and pieces from our nativity set. They got to move the angel, shepherd and wise men pieces around the room at they told the story

And finally, presents!

 Joy made ballerina outfits from The Nutcracker ballet for the three girls. Then it was time to just hang out together for the rest of the evening. The cousins got to play dress up and had a blast being together.  The adults played board games.

She's one!

Michelle and Pete's Rachel turned one in November! Here's she's enjoying some mushy cereal at her party before opening presents and getting her cake.

October Trip to the Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch

Today Joy and I met up with Tim's family, and Joel, Michaela and her cousin Jordan at the Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch, about 45 minutes from Fergus Falls.

Hey, wait for me!

Going for a horse-drawn buggy ride.

Picnic lunch!

And back home again.

Detroit Lakes Marathon, Sept 10, 2011

 Approaching the Finish Line.

After their run, waiting for Joel and Jenny, Anna telling "Papa" (Gaylan) a story.

Tim and Anna coming to meet up with Joel and Jenny.

Congratulating the runners.

A Summer for Lillies

Some favorites
The Tango Lily Cappuccino

Sixth Sense is flamboyant and sensational.

Sister Gail, Lisa & Jim come to MN

 Gaylan's sister Gail came from northern California to Minnesota in late July with her daughter Lisa and Lisa's husband Jim. We met at Gaylan's brother Tom's home in St. Paul.  Rocky and Nancy, also from St. Paul, joined us (making almost half the siblings getting together). Adding a few kids and grandkids made for a festive noon lunch together.  (Later that evening, Gaylan and Tim snuck off to a U-2 concert in Mpls. Great even in the pouring rain!)

 Next stop, our home in Fergus Falls. Joel and Michaela came down from Moorhead, and Tim and Jenny along with Ellie and Anna joined us for a meal.

 Jim is into one of his great stories!

Later in the week,  Jim and Lisa prepare for some fishing in nearby Hoot Lake.

 Brother Gary and his family joined us from Battle Lake for some of Joy's Japanese cooking.  Gary added some of his favorite Greek cuisine to the menu.  Good eating that evening!

 After dinner, Jim & Lisa did some fishing from our kayaks.  Jim was pleased with his bass catch.

 Some poses with Gary's family on our front deck.

This was a summer of blessed reunions!

Larsen Family Reunion, July 2011

 Grandma Myrtle and Grandpa Morris with the great-grandkids (Anna Mathiesen, Rachel Connolly, Ellie Mathiesen, Summer Connolly, Barrett Larsen)

 With Gaylan & Joy's family (Joel hadn't arrived yet).

 With Nate & Debi's family.

 With Dan & Marshalyn's family

 With Dave & Heidi.

 With Joni & Quincey.

 With their children.

 With children & spouses.

 With all the grandkids & spouses (Joel is missing, but arrived later. See bottom photo.)

 They shared a song, "Heaven Came Down."

After cooling off at the lake.