Christmas with the kids - - -

Christmas Day, we gathered at the home of Willow and Seth. Above are daughters Brook and Willow, SIL Seth, Frank and I and son Gabe. Of course the grand kids are in the mix, Jackson, Calvin and Oliva.

Then on Sunday, the Beamans gathered at our home. Here is just a handful of the youngest generation. If they had all been here, we would have needed a larger couch!

Grandpa Frank had fun entertaining grand kids. It seemed that he repeatedly forgot they were in the chair and almost sat on them, much to their dismay, over and over. Cal kept yelling "do dat den!"

We had soup and finger foods. Here is a recipe my sister sent me for potato soup. Big hit but not really healthy.

Potato Soup

Par boil 8 to 10 potatoes, peeled and chopped

Cook and crumble 1# of bacon
Chop 1 small onion and soften in bacon drippings

In crock pot, mix:
2 - 10 oz cans of Cream of Chicken soup

2 C milk
1- 8 oz carton French Onion dip
1 stick butter
1/2 of bacon crumbles
onion 
potatoes
salt and pepper
Cook on low for 8 hours

Add 8 oz of shredded swiss cheese and the rest of the bacon and heat another 30 minutes.

Flavor improves if reheated. Can add more milk as needed. Yeilds 10 servings.

And another hand made Christmas gift:
Willow made a dozen or more children's aprons and paired them with cookie mix and a wooden spoon to make gift bags for little cousins and friends. 

There was one super hero apron leftover for Jackson to wear as he helped make Christmas cookies.

We're already looking forward to next Christmas!