Santaclaus - A Family Christmas

Our 2008 Gingerbread House

Merry Christmas

Living far from our family and many of our friends, we published this website to share our Christmas season and life in these mountains that have adopted us. We have combined the Christmas traditions of Mom's Latin America with Dad's North America and central Europe, the birthplace of our children and our home.
We live a simple life, heating with wood and creating our electricity from a nearby stream. Our Christmas celebrations are simple and involve family and friends with an emphasis on presence and not presents. Join us throughout the season

Gingerbread Houses Janete and the kids have an annual tradition of creating gingerbread houses, I simply draw the patterns. Here you can see some of those creations, the history of gingerbread, gingerbread recipes, and the how to of creating your own gingerbread house in easy steps. more

The Advent Calendar December 6th, is St. Nicholas Day and the first day on our Christmas countdown calendar. Janete has been making Advent Calendars for the children, ours, family and friends, for years. They are basically little pouches filled with daily treats counting down the days until Christmas, starting on the 6th and ending on the 24th. more

Our Christmas Cards We carry on a 51 year tradition of making our own Family Christmas Cards. See the cards throughout the years. more

Our 2008 Christmas Card
2006 Christmas Card	2004 Christmas Card	2003 Christmas card

Giant Ice Cube Construction, Igloos and Dog sledding

Santaclaus - giant ice cube construction

We came up with an idea to make some oversized ice cube trays. We can freeze up to 130 in a night or two, depending on the temperature. Simply fill, pop out and put up. Mortar is a thin layer of snow. It's fun and the kids love to build, adult kids too.

Santaclaus - Igloo construction made easy

One of our winter activities is dog sledding in the mountains near our house. The ten dog team of huskies does nothing but bark until the moment they take off. During the trip they remain completely silent as they run through powdered snow.
One of the ponds is directly in front of the house and is often a venue for figure skating, hockey games and ice fishing.


	Home Cards Calendars Gingerbread Giant Ice Cubes Igloo the Pond Dog Sledding Carp Contact