Friday, December 30, 2005

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year From our House to Yours!

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Our Family at Christmas-Time

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Merry Christmas From the Marshalls!












Since we were busy on Christmas Day with church, and getting dinner ready to take to Grandpa, we postponed our Christmas delights until the day after. Known as Boxing Day, it was very relaxing and enjoyable, as we had fun opening all the things both in boxes, and not in boxes! Posted by Picasa

The Equine Tree















Gifts for Ari, Shahaar, Sonny, and Princess, were grouped beneath this wee tree in the tack room! Posted by Picasa











Ari is in the stockings already! Posted by Picasa

The Birthday Girls












Since there are two Marshall birthdays in December, we pick a day to have a combination celebration with Grandpa Marshall. He looks on as Evvie and Allison give a blow to the candles atop Orange Pound Cake (from Trader Joe's Boxed Mixes!). Posted by Picasa

Grandpa and 2 of His Best Girls :-)

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Winter Violin Recital












Lindy Wagner and Allison in Mrs. Herwaldt's winter violin recital.
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Allison Turns 21!












At the advanced age of 21, the Marshall Girls are given the gift of earrings, as you can see by the photo. Posted by Picasa











Allison's birthday dinner consisted of Chicken Mac-N-Cheese, Fruit Salad, Crescent Rolls, and Sparkling Juice. Vanilla Cake and ice cream were served for dessert. As the DeLs live only a short ways a way, we have fun dropping in for a few of their birthdays, and they have fun doing the same to us :-) This year Amber and Sarah came over to watch Allison open gifts, and share in the dessert. Fun, fun, fun! :-) Posted by Picasa

At Huckleberry Crossroads












A Christmas-time tradition was developed when the DeLadurantey family began singing at Huckleberry Crossroads church.We began attending this church for an hour or so, once a year when health etc. permitted. The tradition has continued for quite a few years now, and we always enjoy listening to them sing our great old carols! Posted by Picasa

The Carosel!












Crossroads' carosel is always a thrill to ride! Everybody smiles! Posted by Picasa

Printer's Help












A boy employed by the local printer is called a Printer's Devil. Go for it Sam! Posted by Picasa











Jon becomes a Printer's Devil...for about 1 minute. Posted by Picasa











Phil follows in the steps of his brothers. Posted by Picasa











Evvie and Hannah were called up to test the press too. Only their job was to give a really good kiss, they didn't become Printer's Devils. Posted by Picasa











Give it a good one, Hannah! Posted by Picasa

Village Dentist















Fantastic! We can combine a choir performance, with a carosel ride, and also squeeze in a trip to the dentist! An old-fashioned office gives Sarah and I new-fangled treatment: braces tightening!
On second thought, maybe we should just stand under the sign....
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Which sparkles more?












An interactive post! Place your votes in the comment box! Which is more sparkly? The braces on our teeth or the lights on the tree? For a full view of the tree, go to www.delfamily.blogspot.com. Posted by Picasa

Thursday, December 15, 2005

The Foursome

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The New Moon

As of this week, we are now a 2 horse-2 pony household. Annick and Evvie brought their new horse home a few days ago, and he is getting used to his new home. Formerly christened "General" he is now "Shahaar", Arabic for 'moonlight'. (Some of us still call him General, or "the Gen".)

Look At That Stride!

The General

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Our 15 Year-Old :-)

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Happy Birthday Evvie!

December 2nd marked Evvie's 15th birthday. We celebrated at home with Chicken Finger Sandwiches, Fruit Salad, Catrina's Mashed Potatoes, and Sparkling Juice for dinner, with a Triple Chocolate Ice Cream Cake for dessert.
Evvie is our resident harper, and is advancing rapidly on this instrument! She enjoys quilling, petting her cat Sooty, and learning all she can about the care and training of horses. Our house just wouldn't be the same without our Evvie :-)

Happy Birthday 15 year-old!

Love,
Allie
P.S. Please pardon the late post. :-}

Gingerbread Barn

Our pre-Christmas tradition continued into 2005 as we made our way to Grandpa and Grandma DeRoo's house for the annual gingerbread creation-making! Grandpa and Grandma DeRoo lived on the same street as Mama when she was a little girl, and the Steeres and DeRoos became close friends! Now, as the DeRoo grandchildren are all over the U.S., we became the Michigan contingent of grandchildren! We enjoy any time we get to spend with the DeRoos, and this time of year is extra-special :-)
Over the years we have made each gingerbread excursion easier on ourselves and on Grandma. In the beginning we made everything from dough to glue at her house, which resulted in a LONG process. Now Annick makes all the house pieces at home so they are ready to assemble when we arrive, and she also knows how to make really good glue.
This year we modeled our creation after a toy barn that we have had ever since I was little. Everything went without a hitch, nothing caved in, or collapsed, or broke. Grandpa would come in occasionally to check the progress and see if we had "any of those gumdrop candies to spare". We gladly obliged :-)
We all had dinner with them that evening and also played some Christmas music for them, which they really enjoyed.

Then There Was Trina...

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Construction Is Underway!

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Ta-Da!

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