Christmas 2012

Returned from Christmas Eve children's service where Gabe sang and Lydia danced a Christmas ballet.

Top hat, glow stick stars and a carnation for the ballerina came home with them.  They are looking quite festive in the evening glow.

Dr Dad

Stitches coming out.

My Marshal - portrait by Gabe

Clothes from my closet and my hair down, my same look of over 20 years ago.

Gingerbread made of dates, almond flour and spice, apricot bars, and coconut peppermint meltaways along with raw eggnog.

Treats and a family game.

A story before bedtime.  They asked me to tell them The Christmas Story as detailed as I could recount as they lay in the darkness, tucked in for the night - the wonder and nitty-gritty reality of Christ's birth.

New PJs

Christmas morning, Tirza curled up against my leg.

Children's Almanac from the stocking.  Up just before dawn.

Marshal found a Santa in his stocking.  Kid creativity.

Lydia is thrilled.

Lydia has loved the Raggedy Ann story books from my childhood shelf.  She has wanted a Raggedy of her own for years.

Gabe's mohawk.  Merino wool and I'm glad he can enjoy it without it being a semi-permanent -do.

Another favorite hat.

Sheba got her rawhide and wore herself out trying to gnaw it down to nothing in one morning.

Cool gift

Handmade friendship bracelets from Gabe and Lydia wrapped with love in my stocking.

Tender roast beef and fresh horseradish sauce on Christmas Day.

Lydia making use of her new drawing pencils from Grammy.