Our New Year's Holiday

New Year's Eve...

 Noah, Amy, and Abe enjoyed a New Year's Eve dinner at The Mellow Mushroom this year.  While waiting for his meal, Abe and his parents constructed yet another Lego set.

 Abe has inherited his love of pickles from his mother, I am certain!

Abe loves to eat all kinds of foods.  He is not afraid to try something new!

An hour away...

 Scott treated Brooke, Joe, and myself...along with his mom, Pat, to a delicious dinner at Wadsworth's famous Galaxy.

The sprawling building included a Sport's Bar, Wine Room, Bakery, Dining room, and much more!

It was a fun evening...Thank you so much, Scott!

New Year's Day...

Noah wanted me to experience my childhood traditional New Year dinner, but with his own twist.

My kind and considerate son made notes which has prompted me to look for a "Chef's Journal" for him.  I am still utterly amazed and beyond thrilled my son and Amy have become our Family Tradition Makers, as well as hosts!

 Noah, Amy, and Abe made HOMEMADE applesauce!

 Even the appetizers were carefully planned.

 Noah is a master of using spices...not too little, not too much...just right!

 Just a couple of the appetizers...

 Getting ready for the oven...

 While we waited for our New Year's Day Feast, Brooke and Scott watched football.

 Mother and son played Legos.

And then...

 The most delicious pork dinner was served!

 Noah's mashed potatoes are the best!  He includes some secret ingredients which make the dish taste heavenly.

Thank you, dear Noah and Amy, for the most wonderful New Year's Day dinner I have EVER experienced!  Joe is still raving about it!

After dinner...

Joe, Noah, Amy, Abe, and I headed to Lowe's to pick out some light fixtures for their big remodeling project.  Abe was checking out which lights he liked best.

It was yet another special family gathering.

January 2nd...

 Saturday was dog grooming day and Noah, Amy, and Abe met Joe, Brooke, Scott, and myself at Buehler's after we all dropped off our dogs at Betsy's.

While waiting for brunch, Abe paired off coffee creams and jelly packets.

We all...including Abe...put everything back where it belonged before we left.

And then...

 We all traveled to Brooke and Scott's school to visit Brooke's fantastic classroom.

Abe wondered what was in this box.

 Abe wasted no time in discovering a family picture featuring him!

 Abe was hoping Brooke might show him what was inside the box.

Next time.

Off to the gym...

 These two...in step as usual!

 Abe and Grandpa Joe played "basketball" with Joe's hat.

Back on the Farm...

 Time to feed the fish.

 Abe loves helping Grandpa Joe.

 Abe looked to his mother for some support while meeting our newest goat, Danny.

 Not so sure...

 After a few minutes, Abe wondered why he was even a little bit nervous!

There was nothing to be worried about.  

Back inside...

 Hmm...Abe had never met a dinosaur like Kota before.

 Abe observed my dinosaur's every move and warmed up to him after a while.

Guinea Pig feeding time...

 Abe took his "job" very seriously

.

 The boys visited with my Greek Tortoise, Socrates.

 Abe waited patiently until one of our gerbils said "hello".

Abe loved playing with one of my Hittyville tractors.

 Joe showed Abe how to use the remote control for his Lego Train.

Abe had the very best of times...and so did we.

January 3rd...

 Abe played with the trucks Joe and Abe picked out on our shopping trip.

Amy helped Abe make a Play-Doh road and Abe was one happy little boy.

This is too funny!

Abe wanted to go "shopping" and he insisted on putting on his coat and shoes ONLY!

It appears Abe became quite interested in tea while watching Joe prepare a cup at Buehler's.

He really wanted to go shopping and buy some tea for his mom and dad.

And that is exactly what he did!

It was the VERY best of New Years and we all agree Abe had everything to do with it.

~Happy 2016 Everyone~