Christmas Day

Children came down in the dark on Christmas morning to their stockings.

Stockings for eighteen children and presents for thirty of us altogether.  We were missing our Montana family of five this Christmas with new baby, Russell!

Leroy got a handmade rifle from Dad.

Naphtali in her hoop skirt.

Christmas morning dawned bright.

Happy Princesses Jemuelle and Hadassah.  They left glitter everywhere they went!

Boots and hat for Johannes with the promise of horse riding lessons from Mom and Dad.  Johannes loves horses.

This unexpected gift made my dad cry.  A painting of his Land of Milk and Honey Dairy done by Rowena Sanford.  Mom purchased it for him unawares when Dad thought it was no longer available for purchase.

These boys love disguises.

A beautiful day and many went out for a X-Country ski or a walk in the snow.

Cousin Tea Party tradition wraps up the celebration of Christmas with cousins.  Great excuse to finish up the Christmas goodies!

I missed capturing the action on camera, but took this snap just before heading out of the biggest snow fort ever, built by cousins with the ingenuity and muscle of uncles, Seth and die-hard Caleb.

Christmas Eve

Katie took my photo with the Christmas Eve dinner.  Meg and Jesse contributed salt-brined and roasted goose with candied apples along with the roast beef that Seth cooked to perfection.

Lydia and Naphi at their own cousin table.

Matthias ready for Christmas Eve dinner.

Gabe caught a snowball in the eye, but is feeling better with a patch.

Banqueting table of littles and Havilah.  Havah says we need another table.

Jesse and Megan at the fireside foot of the table.

Seth read from Isaiah.

Matthias gets the first bite from Grandpa.

Boys

Janelle looking like Maria Von Trapp, accompanying Thaddeus on the violin during Christmas Eve special music.

Naphtali on a little flute and Shane on a ukulele, trio with Dad.

Accompanying Gabe and Lydia on their violins.  Hadn't played my flute for the family in over 25 years.  I did get the giggles in the middle of the song.

Vera danced so pretty to her dad's violin.

Ezekiel played a solo.

Meg with her girls.

Vera gazing at the grasshopper ice cream pie, waiting to be served with Black Hawk Fudge drizzled on top!

Christmas cookies - lemon snow drops, Russian teacakes, Anzacs, sugar cookie cutouts, oh my!

Pajama Opening!

New PJs.

Let's get dressed for sleeping.

Nathanael in his new PJs.

Hadassah

Youngest cousin, Piper Ann with her big brother Leroy and Mommy.

"One sock on and one sock off."

Johannes - "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."

Gabe and Lydia ready to hang stockings.

Ezekiel with his family stockings.

Stockings are hung and time for "The Night before Christmas" with Grandpa.

Avid Listeners

Looks like lemon snowdrop is Santa's favorite too!

"Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse!"

"All settled down for a long winter's nap."

Family Christmas

We arrived to Grandpa and Grammy's on the 22nd, after dark, with the snow falling to Gabe and Lydia's delight.  Caleb and Katie family arrived that afternoon from Colorado as well.

Next morning, all the boys were up at first light building a snowman just outside the family room window!

Seth and Janelle family arrived in the afternoon and Jesse and Megan joined us on Wednesday.  Almost all together in one place for Wednesday night chili and soup dinner.

Grandpa had a knee replacement for Christmas and is healing quickly.

Cousins!

Aunt Meg already pulled off the sugar cookie cut out factory and is now stirring the boiling sugar and molasses for pulled candy.

Getting in on the action.

Candy pulling muscles.

Wrapping it up.

Busy girls.

The stocking stash.

Old-fashioned jar of molasses taffy complete.

Jemma sharing the fun with all of us.

Matthias, our greatest gift, under the tree.

Family relaxing under the Christmas glow.