New Years Eve 2014

New Years Eve at the Gore household was filled with games (the girls led us in Bingo using the microphone and hand-crafted bingo cards...high end here!), food (we again did meat fondu and it was enjoyed by all), and we also watched a movie before heading to bed maybe just a wee bit past normal time...

Always have to have at least one boy in cowboy attire in this household...

 Ringing in the new year early...

Harrison and Eleanor...

 Madelaine and Mama...

 Papa and Theodore...

Wishes for a healthy and happy 2015!!!

Christmas 2014

 We were blessed to spend another Christmas Eve in Harmony at Grandma Ollie's home and between games, presents, and eating there was never a dull moment leading up to the candlelight service at church.

The girls with cousin Leela...

 Theodore with cousin Breydin...

 

Harrison too excited about the John Wayne ornament to join the picture...

 A family picture attempt...

 Grandma Ollie's great grand-children...

 The much anticipated candles during Silent Night at the conclusion of the service.  Has been a favorite of Mama's since she was a little girl too.  First year all 4 of you have had your own candle and all went well...whew!

 All tucked into bed and Santa and his helpers went to work...

 Christmas morning, up bright and early and ready to go.  We stayed home this year for Christmas Day and it truly was an enjoyable time.  We were able to relax and not rush out the door, and the kids had a blast opening and playing with their gifts. 

 The girls making what I'm sure was the most delicious dessert in their easy bake oven!

 Classic Theodore outfit while watching a new cowboy movie...love it!

 Working on a new lego set...

 Merry Christmas 2014!!!

 Love Harrison and Theodore (who clearly are in need of a haircut)...

 And Madelaine and Eleanor...

XOXOXOXO!!!!

Christmas spirit 2014

 Preparing our first real Christmas tree so we can bring it home...

 Steady, Ready before cutting the net...

ME's annual letter tree in their bedroom...

 Preparing our lists for Santa...

 Trying our hands at some cookie baking...

A lot of anticipation in the Gore household as always!

Wildlife in the Country...

We have very much enjoyed putting food out for the deer this winter, and can be anxiously found peeking out the front window in Papa and Mama's bedroom before dinner time (every night) to see who is coming to enjoy the feast!

Unfortunately the deer don't get to eat in peace and quiet because after a minute or so, Harrison typically starts yelling and/or banging on the window and scares them away!

The tooth fairy is making a return to the Gore household...

this time for Madelaine...the first one is out of here!

Extended Thanksgiving celebration...

Thanks to Grandpa Kip and Ms. Julie, the day after Thanksgiving took us to Red Wing for our first time participating in an annual festival they have as we enter the holiday season.  The majority of things were outdoors and it was cold, but we dressed for the occasion and besides...we do live in MN!

 Waiting outside to enter the penguin exhibit...

 A wee one wasn't too keen on standing in line but survived...

 A chance to pet one of the penguins...

 Listening to the story of Jesus's birth at a live manger scene...

 cuddling to stay warm...

We also saw live reindeer, watched some fireworks, and warmed up inside with some hot cocoa/apple cider and treats.  We all left definitely in the holiday spirit!!!

Halloween 2014

Eleanor and Madelaine chose to dress up as Elsa and Anna from Frozen...shocking for sure, haha.

Theodore and Harrison requested to be cowboys, but not just any cowboys...they went back and forth between each other as to who was "John Wayne" and who was "Matt Dillion"...hmmm, wonder who provided this influence?!?!

Could it be Grandpa Ken???  John Wayne Sr. and John Wayne Jr. below.

 Quick picture with Grandpa and Grandma, and cousins Leela and Breydin before heading out to our old neighborhood for some trick-or-treating

 Missing Papa who was away at work in Rome and said he would have gone as Clint Eastwood, joining the other cowboys!

Fall Fun 2014

Pumpkins, wagon rides, apples, corn mazes, time at Grandpa Ken's farm on the tractors...we did it all and enjoyed every minute!

 Fall is truly a beautiful season in Minnesota!