The Christmas Season

 "Chris" the Elf, hiding in one of his many spots this month. 

 Our tree--the biggest we've had in years! We actually had to move furniture to fit it in the entryway. It shows we've reached a new phase of parenting that:

1.) We wanted to get a tree (we skipped the tradition for 4 yrs as a sanity-saving measure. It sort of worked.)

2.) We were willing to move furniture to get a big one (this may not seem a big deal, but I assure you, it was)

 A Cousin Camp Christmas overnight. We went to the Hamilton Christmas festival, made great paper bag hats, and met Santa (they didn't sit on his lap--they sat in his sidecar, after he arrived on his Harley.)

 Aunt Jenny's pretty tree in her pretty living room in her condo in Canton. We went there to watch the Ravens' game one Sunday and eat her awesome Thai Curry.

 Amelia dancing in her Christmas program. She and one other little boy had special parts, and she relished it!

Evelyn playing The Bear (front and center and blurry) in her Christmas skit. She said her lines loudly and clearly and loved her role!

Merry Christmas, everyone! In spite of some busy work weeks (and weekends for Alan!), this month has been delightfully stress-free and serene. While we started the month with strep and pneumonia and has some stomach flu in the middle, we also managed to go to some Christmas concerts, walk the neighborhood looking at lights, participate in neighborhood events, go out to dinner, and I even watched "It's a Wonderful Life" with cousin Kate one evening (she was feeling wild and crazy and came over on a total whim. You gotta love that.)

Today we're going to pass out some Christmas treats to neighbors, prep some food for tomorrow, and go to a Christmas Eve service at a Lutheran Church where Alan is playing.

Tomorrow, we head to Mom and Dad's for the big celebration--joined by Jon & Courtney & the kids, Aunt Barbara, Uncle Diego, Lindsy & Kelby. (And no Christmas turkey--salmon! Jon is the main course mastermind. I'll be bringing locally-grown organic veggies to roast, Mom's doing appetizers and dessert, and Barb & Diego will provide the goods for the toast! :) Can't wait!!

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (II Cor. 9:15)