Family Christmas Traditions

Christmas Eve roast beef, horseradish sauce, re-stuffed potatoes, minted peas....

Dad shared with us Zechariah's prophecy of the Savior in Luke 1.

Cousins á table.

Unwrapping pajamas in the dining room.

Jemuelle rising her head high after a long winter's nap.

Christmas morning before dawn.

Grandpa with his youngest grandchild, Jemma.

After Christmas morning's soft pink sunrise.

Gingerbread Houses

Lydia's

Lydia's

Gabe's

Gabe's

Gingerbread cookie house kits from Ikea had been on the upper shelf of the kitchen cabinet for over a year.  Saturday, I let the kids improvise with whatever we had, and I glued with melted brown sugar.  I thought them quite rustic and quaint.  Gabe has had double the excitement with his, as he pecked away at his own in small increments with a soft pellet gun (in sneaky assaults) throughout the afternoon and evening today.  It went through various stages of dilapidated mountain shack to full on demolition.

Morning Chores

I just thought she was too cute - Lydia readied for her chores this Sunday morning.  She has the overalls over her pjs and her bucket of chicken scraps.

December Days

Heavy laden tree.  Sheba ate two strands of popcorn and cranberries off the bottom though when we were out.  She thought the tree had more than its fair share.

Cozy and colorful room.

There was a Family School Christmas party and small gift exchange.  Lydia received a craft pack and went right to work on festive door knob hangers.

Gabe is totally into drawing jets these past few days, inspired from a friend whose dad flies them.

December Upon Us

Thanksgiving leftovers were better the second time around.  They always are!

Gabe put up the Christmas lights on the rail by December 1st.

On Saturday, Marshal climbed the ladder to hang snowflake and icicle lights, and I hung the wreath on the door.

Christian fellowship ladies made wreaths together on Saturday.  Lydia helped me, and we are delighted to show it off on our door.  The wreath making was such a great opportunity,  It was my first hand made wreath, and I was so pleased.  My success was due to the wonderful selection of fresh cut greens and ornaments provided to work with.  I also had some good table mates that gave me some tips.

This poinsettia is the deepest red that I've ever found.  Camera failed to capture it no matter how hard I tried, even close up.

I puttied nail holes this last week, all the trim.  I gave up on plastering touch ups, and put out my china on the hutch finally.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Everyday we add something new to the Christmas celebration season.  We picked out a little tree on Sunday and lit it up.  This tree was such a bonus; we received a military discount, and the proceeds from the sale went to displaced orphans.

Lydia enjoying the tree.  She and Gabe filled it full of ornaments today.  More photos to come.