EXCITING AND JOYOUS END OF 2012

                             We had a great time the last three weeks of the year, starting with Jacob inviting us to he's annual school concert and it was incredible how these kids learn to play an instrument in only a few months.It was an impressive concert.

The beginning of the concert

Sorry, my camera is not really made for videos, but you will get the idea. 

Jacob looks very happy after the concert even 

though he had an accident 

with his skateboard just a week ago.

                          That day we planned a gathering of the family because Donna's nephew Ben came in town, but for flu reasons Daniel, Brian and Karla could not make it. Daredevil Jacob had to try out his new ripstik and had a bad crash on the concrete  One of my nice neighbors brought him home and Windy and Donna took him to the emergency. Needless to say, that party was over.

                          We also had the privilege to have a sleep over of Jacob and Luke in December and we had Nitro for 3 days on vacation in our house.    

Jacob was practicing the saxophone

while Luke painted his garden tile.

Nitro was Judging the Westminster Dog show while he was here

                December 22nd, we all got invited to Sara, Joe's and Nicholas Christmas party.

Eric loves playing with Nick and Eliana

The Party just began

I think we're looking at the TV

Lincoln try to get in the middle of it

Their first Christmas party!

Windy with our grand children

Luke loves his Grandma

                       Finally the Christmas weekend arrived and Donna and I had a great life together, spending prime time with superior food, beverage, music, movies and gifts.  

Cocktail hour before Dinner

A happy, merry Christmas

Friday night dinner, Swiss cheese Fondue

Saturday night Dinner:

Roast pork, Mashed potatoes, dressing, Brussels sprouts and

delicious pork au jus. 

Donna looks like she is energized

it can't get much better.

                            Sunday night I did not feel like cooking and we treated ourselves to some Sushi, spicy rolls and  pot stickers. It was delicious.

                              December 24th, after good old Swiss tradition, "Christchindli" arrives and leaves some beautiful gifts for people who are being good all year, like Me and Donna.

Here my gift is arriving

Great surprise, a Sodastream

In minutes I had it all figured out.

Donna loves her gift

Immediately she started programming her new Ipad.

                            The plan was that the whole family would get together on Christmas day. Again the flu bug got the better of some and Gina, Daniel and Eliana could not attend. I still had Christmas Brunch ready to go and  Windy, Brian, Jacob,Luke, Donna and I had a good time celebrating Christmas. Only one person was so exhausted, he slept the whole time.

Nothing better than opening gifts

If you look to the right, you see 2 pictures on the bookshelf, 

they were painted by Jacob and Luke for Donna and me.

Sleepyhead and Luke with his new mini kindle. 

                     Since  not everybody made it on the 25th, we rescheduled for Friday the 28th. Finally the whole family was together and it looks like everybody had a great time even the sleepyhead in his hat.

Christmas 2012

First one for Eliana

Lets get the party started

Nitro knows his place

Somebody had to take care of Eliana!

Growing up fast.

The best Christmas gift ever

Ready to dance

What a happy family: The Spaldings

Getting younger all the time

Merry Christmas to everybody 

Daniel, Gina, Eliana and Nitro

      

                                      

DECEMBER 2012

Actually I would have liked to add to my blog much earlier, but when it rains it pours. I promised at the end of my last entry that I will get much more people friendly again.  The delay was again sickness and I am really getting tired of it. I sincerely hope this will be it.

Everything started being great again in our household when Donna's nephew, Ben Priest from North Carolina, came for a visit for 5 days and we had a blast. Donna and I were the tour guides and  took him to see the Arch, the Budweiser Brewery and the Union Station downtown.

Ben is the son of Donna's brother Gary and sister in law Jane

Here on his first day with his welcome drink Bacardi and Coke

Having Huevos Rancheros for breakfast

We took time to explore the museum underneath the Arch

about the Louis and Clark expedition.

Here with a buffalo

and a Bear

Donna and Ben resting by the Arch

Self portrait under the Arch

Next visiting the Brewery

Waiting for the tour to Begin

Donna and I had toured the Brewery before, but it is always impressive and interesting

to see it again.

I think the beer aroma is taking affect

Inside souvenir Picture on departing

Again, we enjoyed the tour

Getting home, we had to have a few Bacardi,

but

changed over to Beer, since we came from

Anheuser Busch Brewery

I had a hard time to keep up with them.

Our excursion to Illinois with the Golden Eagle Ferry

The long awaited Bloody Mary in lonely bar at the island in Illinois.

Our destination of the Day

First time at Fast Eddy's in Alton

Fast Eddy is a well known restaurant and caterers mostly to young people and bikers,

I observed that, because they (the bikers) even have their own huge parking lot, so their

Machines don't get damaged.

The food is dirt cheep but tasty and the drinks are reasonable.

We liked it. and probably will revisit some day.

This was the last day for Ben's visit and he left for home the next morning.

Donna and I believe he had a great time here in St Louis.

Thanks for visiting us Ben!!