Over The River and Through The Woods

To Grandmother's house we go! Only the river is more like a creek... and some frozen swamp, thanks to the beavers.

Our neighbors started off the festivities by coming to carol. They didn't even ask for figgy pudding! We gave them a plate of sugar cookies instead.

Christmas Eve was spent cozied by grandma's fireplace and reading the Nativity story with a few friends and relatives who were brave enough to face the weather for a visit. Christmas day was perfect! Since Lucas spent a good amount of his youth growing up in Hope Children's Home and I grew up with parents who stuffed the house to the chimney with people every holiday, we both feel as though it hasn't really been Christmas unless you're sitting elbow to elbow and bumping into one another as you dive bomb for food! We played UNO Attack, Apples to Apples, and the Wii (courtesy of Sissy and Don) until we could play no more. Then all collapsed to watch "UP" and pass out on the couch. (sigh)

The day after Christmas brought a sledding marathon with the cousins, with very few wipe outs. Oh what fun it is to ride in a 40 year old toboggan!

Handmade Songbird

What to do? Ms Juana had asked her Spanish class students to make a handcrafted gift to share for Christmas. There was only a week in which to think of and make them, and most of the kids had listed things in their wish list that fell nowhere in the handmade category. Lego Stormtroopers out of felt? A toothpick Pet Shop kitty? Arhg! This would be harder than we thought. Could we make it out of something we had on hand?

While riffling through one of our many catch-all clutter boxes in desperate hopes of something crafty worthy, we came across our solution: an old ocarina hearkening back to my nerdy "dress-up-and-go-to-the-Renaissance-Fair"days. Okay, so before you rush to Google "ocarina" and since probably no one knows what that is besides my brother (who ALSO dressed up to go the the ren fair - Yeah! Busted, Bro!) I'll tell ya what it is: a musical wind instrument that can be made out of ceramics, clay, etc. with a mouthpiece and varying number of finger holes. Mine happened to be shaped like a tiny turtle shell and only had four holes. How hard could it be? But the lint covered, sticky, non-hardening clay we already had found crammed in bottom of the box in the closet wouldn't do. So we picked up brand new bakeable, and as it turns out, very breakable clay from good ol' Wally World. We began to get the hang of of it about two crushed turtles later, and the boys were pretty pleased with the results. They even sort of work!

Christmas Party day rolled around, and we held our breath as the gifts were opened, but needn't have worried. Seth showed his friend how to work it and grinned while said buddy proceeded to annoy all within hearing range of his handmade songbird!

Meals On Wheels

Success! Our very first year cooking the turkey and it didn't even explode! Though, I have to admit, it did fall apart. How after eleven years of marriage we've managed to sneak by without basting the bird, I'm not sure, but it must have been good. Either that, or we starved poor Grandma and Aunt Katie by serving an hour after the original chow time. I say this because there actually wasn't much left, plus I caught our great aunt snitching and feeding tidbits to Micah while I was mashing potatoes! Four guests including Dad were under the weather and couldn't come, so we packed up some tasties and brought the Thanksgiving to them!

So, we thank God for guests who give for keeps the crystal bowl in which they brought cranberry salad. Aunt Katie, it is so pretty! (I am especially thankful for an awesome husband who helps with the dishes.) We thank Him for the ability to share, for family to love, and for a home in which to celebrate. We thank Him for the wondrous gift of His Son, and the chance to celebrate that gift so soon after Thanksgiving.

Oh yeah, and we thank Him, too, for a Grandma who can school us all at Chinese Checkers!!!

For M&M

Dear Little-Girl-Born-On-The-Very-Day-Lucas-And-I-Were-Married,

No wonder your Nana calls you M&M! You are so very sweet and bright! Micah and Seth love the turkey you made. In fact, it was the best turkey we had all Thanksgiving! I know God has great plans for you, Sweet Pea!