Anna 12 Years Old and Yuletide Party

2015-12-25Anna, Christmas, Finnur's family Standard

[Originally posted 25 December 2015. Updated 26 January 2016, with more photos below the fold.]

Anna Sólrún turned 12 years old today!  How’d that happen?!

We also visited Finnur’s parents as usual for a family yuletide party, ate a lovely meal, and then played a whist tournament… And I WON!  For the first time in 21 years of participating!  Which shows that it has more to do with luck than with skill. 🙂

Now, as much as I’d like to dump a gazillion photos in here, there is no time, so JUST CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE PHOTOS!! (24 images total on this page)

Ms. Anna, all grown up!

Ms. Anna, all grown up!

Going back in time, Anna was pretty happy with the gifts she got, especially a necklace she'd picked out from one of ad-catalogs that came leading up to Yuletide.

Going back in time, Anna was pretty happy with the gifts she got, especially a necklace she’d picked out from one of the ad-catalogs that came home leading up to Yuletide.

When we arrived at Finnur's parent's place, final preparations for the party were in full swing.

When we arrived at Finnur’s parent’s place, final preparations for the party were in full swing.

By special request by the grandparents, we gathered all the grand-kids in one place and took a few photos.

By special request by the grandparents, we gathered all 12 grand-kids in one place and took a few photos.

The grandparents really wanted a group photo of their grandkids, little did they know I'd include them as well!

Little did the grandparents know that I’d include them as well!

Lots of people!

Lots of people!

I was particularly happy with this dress I found for Emma at Debenhams. Wish I had reason to use it more before she grows out of it!

I was particularly happy with this dress I found for Emma at Debenhams. I just wish there was a reason to use it more before she grows out of it!

Tree-decorations.

Tree-decorations.

It's a Christmas tradition to load up a really old DOS basketball game, and play!

It’s a Christmas tradition to load up a really old DOS basketball game, and play!

I'm not kidding! That tiny thing in the middle is the game!

I’m not kidding! That tiny thing in the middle is the game!

Almost eating time!

Almost eating time!

Anna making muffins for her birthday celebration later on.

Anna making muffins for her birthday celebration later on.

Decoration!

Decoration!

... and then it was whist-tournament time!

… and then it was whist-tournament time!

Anna is now a fully fledged player, and needs very little help.

Anna is now a fully fledged player, and needs very little help.

We played 12 rounds.

We played 12 rounds.

Kids being kept quiet.

Kids being kept quiet.

After we were done playing it was time for Anna's birthday celebration. She'd decided she wanted an apple cake, so that's what she got!

After we were done playing it was time for Anna’s birthday celebration. She’d decided she wanted an apple cake, so that’s what she got!

Gathering stuff on the table still.

Gathering stuff on the table still.

Blowing out a big candle.

Blowing out a big candle.

Presents!

Presents!

Steinunn and Anna announcing the results of the whist-tournament.

Steinunn and Anna announcing the results of the whist-tournament.

I won!!! For the first time, after participating for 21 years!!!

I won!!! For the first time, after participating for 21 years!!!

Mine to keep until Easter 2016!

Mine to keep until Easter 2016!