Christmas Under the Mistletoe

December 25, 2015 - 

The only picture with Ben's eyes open.

Poor guy, he was up late trying to clear a clogged pipe in the kitchen.

Stockings first.

A hands free tablet holder

Trussssst in me. 

Looking forward to doing some reading in 2016!

Sure, use your new axe to open the next present...

...and your work bag for a hat.

I did it!  

The Rubik's cube was already "solved" but I overcame my OCD and forced myself to mix it all up.  That may have been more difficult than solving it!

Lydia's been through this "Christmas morning drill" before...like 7 other times.

Though she's grown a lot since then:

Christmas Eve - 2008

Later that evening with family...

Noah and our cousin, Eli

Gift exchange

That dress. 

She's definitely a very loved little girl!

Look who I caught under the mistletoe this year...

Warm Friends, Hot Cider, and Cookie Decorating

December 18, 2015 - A few photos from what was officially a "Cookie Decorating Party."

Luminaries - southwestern decorations you rarely see in the Midwest

Up on the housetop...

Is that a star from the East?

Or Josiah holding a flashlight?

Oh, the weather outside is frightful

...but the fire is so delightful.

It was impossible to feel cold with hot cider, warm friends, a roaring fire, and heated card games of "Bluff" and "Nertz."

Isaiah 40:3

We all sang some carols around the piano.

Because the best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing aloud for all to hear.

Decorated cookies

The extent of my decorating consisted of spreading the icing like butter on the cookie and immediately eating it. #minimalistdesign

Operator!

"10 circles in a picture" (behind)

"chestnuts roasting over an open fire"

"what light through yonder window breaks" 

- turned into 'something' and "about a thousand toothpicks"

As the fire was slowly dying

my dears were still goodbying...

...and planking...

...and sharing stories and 'random facts.'

Thanks for having us all over!