Christmas 2016 Family pictures, Church decorations.

Jeff and I at Christmas 2016.  

Our oldest daughter shared a beautiful picture of their family at their Church Christmas Day

This picture is of our 5 grandchildren taken at their Church Christmas Eve.

Our youngest daughter and family when they spent a week with us over Thanksgiving.  I wasn't able to get a family picture of them at their church this Christmas and I couldn't post a video. The grandchildren were a shepherd and angel in the Children's service.

We had a snow storm over Christmas but we certainly did enjoy seeing many pictures of our family as they celebrated.  

So fun to see the big smiles as our grandchildren opened and enjoyed gifts we gave and other gifts from mom and dad and relatives.

Build A CAT Something special when dad can help his very handsome son build something.   

Fun with the cash register. Now she can play restaurant or store.

Looks like lots of fun things and many hours of playing to be had. Toy waffle maker. 

WOW!  It is a play mat rug.  

Calendar with lots of hand sewn on sequin's. about 32 inch's tall.  

For several years back in late 80's early 90's, one of my aunts would give my mother a craft yearly Calendar for Christmas. She would work diligently to get all the needle work and sequins sewed on. I kept one from 1991 that had six beautiful birds on. This Year I cut the six birds out , framed them in a 5 x 7 frame and gave one to each of the 4 granddaughters, one to her daughter in law and I kept this one for myself.

I had a very hard time deciding which bird I wanted to keep for myself but thought the one with the date was best and we actually have these little blue birds in the Black Hills.

When we spent a wonderful week with my mother, the end of May, she took me into her bedroom and discussed what she would give for Christmas gifts for 2016.  She said one of her old handkerchiefs and a piece of her jewelry.  She even pointed out a few things she wanted to give to certain granddaughters etc.  My mother got sick with a bad pneumonia in June and was called home to Heaven a day after her 95th birthday  on September 2.    

 It was a very fun, emotional time for me as I put together 12 box's for girls, 4 granddaughters, 6 Great granddaughters, a daughter-in-law and special niece. I also put together gifts for one grandson and 4 great grandsons.

Our youngest daughter was very excited and thrilled to receive this special ring, other pieces of her grandmothers treasured jewelry and a couple old handkerchiefs. 

Our youngest grandson was excited to see what special treasure he received from Great grandma.

He loved this special Angel ornament and also the canvas red bell great grandma had made.

More of the decorated 4' by 4' box's that were sent to ND in memory of my mom. 

My Niece took these pictures of the gifts and below of them wearing their Grandma's jewelry.  They were surprised and pleased to know Grandma had thought about them. 

A picture of some of the items included. 

This is a picture on Christmas Eve is our oldest niece, my brothers oldest child, Angel with her husband.  What a good looking couple.

This is our other niece, Amber with her husband and their 3 lovely children on Christmas Eve.  I am so happy they share pictures from time to time as we don't get to spend much time with them. 

These are our sweet twin's
 (our Niece's daughters). 

Now on to pictures of our Church.

Zion Lutheran Church Advent wreath. 

This decorated Christmas tree stands in the entry/narthex area of our Zion Church.  

Below is a close up of the Luther Seal decorations since it is nearing the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  These Luther Rose Seal was cut out of paper, snow flake style.  Each a little different just like real snow flakes and just like all humans who Christ Jesus came to earth as a baby to save from our many sins. 

The outside of our Zion church was decorated with garland, wreaths, lights and beautiful wood trees with special Christmas message.  Above is the whole view and below and to right is the close up view.  

This wreath is on the door leading
 into our Zion church.

The Christmas tree in our Church worship area was decorated so beautiful with lots of meaning in the ornaments and colors of balls and ribbons.

This is the big beautiful tree down town Rapid City, Main Street Square by the Ice Skating Rink.