Christmas fun at the Happiest Place on Earth

Hello Family:

Mindy, Mikaela and I spent the day on 12/20 at Disneyland. It was a cool, crisp, California day and we were hoping to spend the whole day and see the fireworks show.

We decided to take it easy and went on the easy rides. I was able to get over 37 years of fear and once again get on the Alice in Wonderland ride. (As this was a horrible experience when I was 3 ) Although that ride is one serious LSD adventure, no wonder it scared me.

We went on Pirates, the Toon Town Coaster and the Haunted Mansion. The Haunted Mansion is decorated for Nightmare before Christmas so that was really fun. And instead of having to wait 45 minutes, some nice people donated their 3 fast pass they couldn't use, so we got on in 10 minutes.

We then went over to Reindeer Roundup and enjoyed hot chocolate and a sugar cookie that you could decorate and eat. Mikaela took her decorating very seriously and then named her cookie Snowie. So once it has a name you can't eat it.

We ended our day by scoping out a spot for the fireworks show only to be disappointed because it was canceled due to weather. Disneyland says there was wind, but it didn't feel windy to me.

I'm glad I was able to spend the day with cousins as family is the best part of Christmas.

Hugs to all

Marilee



Waiting in line for Alice in Wonderland. We actually got
a good view of the parade as the ride was closed for a
few minutes for repair.



Nightmare before Christmas. Oogie Boogie watching over
us.



Mindy & Mikaela strike a pose outside
Minnie's house in Toon Town.



I wonder which reindeer is which. I was unable to
find Rudolph.



The concentration is great as Snowie is
created.



Mikaela and Snowie



As we leave Reindeer Roundup we smile
with Santa Clause.

Early Christmas pictures

Sara, Andrew & Mary spent an early Christmas in the big city with David, Michelle and their kids.

The pictures are too cute not to share.

Merry Christmas to all

Love

Marilee




The Happy Family. It is so WONDERFUL to see Sara
smiling and feeling a little better.



Sara & Michelle pose with their pride and joys.



The whole cute group L-R Holly Potter, Lily Potter
Noah Potter, Mary Jade Ostler and big sister Ruby Potter
keeping them all in line.



My ABSOLUTE favorite of the whole group. Mary Jade
and Lily posing in their matching Christmas outfits.

Christmas fun in many ways

Hello all:

We will start out this blog with the installing of our Christmas tree. Unfortunately since this video was taken we got a bum tree and it is getting pretty crispy.

We keep misting the needles and will enjoy it until Christmas. One of our favorite movies is Christmas Vacation and this was a Christmas Vacation moment.

Sorry it is sideways.





Mom decided to wear the tree skirt. Isn't she cute.




Last weekend I went to be with Melissa and the girls to
celebrate Ashley's 11th birthday.

We started the day by going back to Avila Barn to smell the
Christmas trees and I took this cute picture of Amanda & Ashley.



We then went back to the house so Ashley could open
some of her gifts a little early. We had to let her do this because
she was going crazy because all of her wrapped gifts were
waiting there for her.

She got silly gifts along with her real gifts.



Getting ready to open



What a mess



She got a little baby tree that she can plant in
spring time



Ashley is also taking a music class in school and they have
been playing the recorder. Tom & Sue gave her a little
recorder and she gave us a concert. Talent and brains.



Melissa gave her sugar coated pecans, mostly
because Melissa had bought some for herself and
she had eaten most of the bag. Hopefully she shared
with Melissa.



Since her birthday is not till the 17th she still has to wait
for the rest of the presents but here are the ones she got.

The movie WALL-E, a gift card to Claire's and a bottle of
ketchup as Ashley puts Ketchup on everything.



Sister's hanging out before dinner.




I made her homemade brownies and we
put a candle in it for her.



We also had extra dinner guests for
her birthday which included Sam, John, & Uncle





Uncle and Domino have become friends.



Poor Domino became humiliated because Melissa insisted
on dressing him up as Santa. Poor Dog.



Most of you might have heard but Amanda made the
cheer leading squad this year. She is a Paulding Patriot
Cheerleader. Isn't she cute.









Just a couple of Ho's in our HoHoHo shirts.



Melissa had a shiny Christmas tree in
her room. Isn't it cute.

Most of you don't know what a self-less
humanitarian Uncle Tom is. He gave up his bedroom
to Melissa when she moved in. So instead of using an Aerobed
or sleeping on a couch, be built himself another bedroom in
the garage. I just had to share .



View from the outside



The inside wall with his Jack collection



Sam & John check out Uncle Tom's tempurpedic mattress.

Before I left we went to Arroyo Grande to hang out at the
swinging bridge. One of the interesting things is that there are
wild chickens and roosters that hang out. Some kind person
has left dry cat food and a place for them to sleep.






Rooster house



Manda & Ashley by the stream



My girls on the swinging bridge.

Mary Christmas

Hello All:

Here are the latest pictures of Andrew, Sara & Mary.

Sara is slowly starting to feel better so they decided to have some Christmas fun and pose with their Christmas Tree.

Hugs to all

Marilee

Just have to share

Hi

I just got new pictures of Mary Jade from Andrew and Sara tonight. She was 1 month old today at 8:08 pm.

Bear with me as I post more photos.

Love Marilee





Happy Thanksgiving from the Ostlers



It appears Mary Jade had too much turkey as
there was no waking her for photos.



Close up on me.



Be careful, they shoot deer in Ephraim.




One Month old today.