Miss Scarlet in the kitchen with the candlestick

So a big 'Thank you!" to my brother and his wife who sent this for Christmas.

It has become a family favorite in the short time it has been in our house! We have played lots and everyone really gets into it. There have been lots of discussions about strategy, lessons on logic and not giving away extra information with the things you say during a game, and lots of little silly moments too.

For example, the other night we were playing. Everyone was playing except Megan and by chance all six pieces for the game ended up in the ball room at the same time. Brian was arranging the pieces as someone made heir suggestion. All of the sudden he chants, "Peel the banana!" and starts moving the pieces around. what he had done was make the six pieces copy the Virginia Reel that Nathan and the fourth grade had performed. "Peel the Banana" is one of the square dance calls that made the kids laugh extra hard. The kids thought dad was so funny and helped him dance the other pieces around the ball room. Then we got back to the game.

A Visit with Santa Claus

On New Years' Eve day we had the annual Christmas party with our extended Chantry family. The best part for the kids was their visit with Santa Claus. They are old enough now to look forward to this every year. I love how they each climb right up on his lap with big smiles.

I also love to see the joy that Brian's Grandpa gets from dressing up for the kids. It must be hard to change in and out of that suit (and to do it for relatively little time), but he never complains or even grumbles. He is just so excited. And even when little babies aren't so thrilled to sit on his lap, he is OK with that. The parents usually hold their kids and sit next to him and he just talks to them and is so cute. I loved this year when he held out his hand to a nervous Russell, and Russell gave him five.

Thank you Grandpa! We lve you and your willingness to continue this special tradition.