Hoo, what a ride the holidays were. Many Christmas celebrations - 6 in fact - and in 4 different WI cities! Humbling and such blessing to have places to go and most importantly people - family to see...and love.
Each moment was special and it's so extra special to see family members that we don't get to see but maybe just this time of year. These were a few of my favorite things:
seeing and hugging each family member
the album Lord Huron that my cousin gave us because he loves it and it reminds him of my sis Robin and he thinks she would've (does!) loved it
feeling like Clark Griswold putting up our outdoor 'lights' - about 3/4 of them didn't work and we never turned them on
picking, smelling and then admiring (still are!) our imperfectly perfect Frasier fir Christmas tree and keeping our 10 min. picking-out time-limit
my sister Brynn being home
all of special 'true meaning' of Christmas learning and experiencing Graham has at school - including his darling Christmas concert
My Mom and sister coming over to make a gingerbread house with the kids
hearing my cousin's husband talk about having a baby after many years of marriage
having my angelic 5 year-old cousin whisper 'captain underpants' in everyone's ear and giggling heartily every time
experiencing the hostessing brilliance of aunts and my mother-in-law
giving gifts...and receiving is great fun, too
focusing more every year on the wonder and miracle and humility of Jesus being born in a barn - the light and hope and joy He brought to the darkness and still brings
watching my brother plow a track around my Dad's backyard for Jason with him skiing behind
Seeing my nephew's endless smiles
safe travels
listening to Christmas music - Little Drummer Boy and Silent Night especially
Going to church Christmas Eve with Graham in a suit coat and tie that the athletic-clothes-devotee himself planned and packed to wear for the Christmas service
Amid the busyness, prepping, packing, shopping, wrapping, planning there is a calm and a peace and a subtle joy - warm fuzzies - that is hard sometimes to stop and connect with but is always there for the experiencing. Renewing of ourselves and of the hope that love and peace and joy will prevail over madness of the moments and the world!
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| Warming up for the school Christmas Concert |
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| All the lovely ladies on my Mom's side of the family + Graham ( : |
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| Eric, Ken and Jay |
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| One of the things Graham was hoping for - an indian costume |
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| The one thing Estelle asked for! |
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| Graham is sitting on the craftsmanship of his Dad! Jason made a big, beautiful trunk for Graham for Christmas |
This is getting long but here are some foods for good measure!
Jason has been hunting at his cousins' home for a few years now and this year got a buck! I had the honor and joy to join Jason in the evening and hang with Jay and Ken for the night! The whole visit - and 'hunt', I'm sure - were spectacular in a calming, awesome and heart-warming way. I can't say enough about our visit - these two men are pure pleasure to be around!
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| This picture looks a bit nasty but was so delectable - this is his deer - venison tenderloin and Jason made mashed potatoes from scratch with his Mom's corn on the cob from summer |
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| The whole process of retrieving the deer from the woods to loading on the car was impressive to say the least. I didn't witness some of the gory details but Ken and Jason made it all happen without a hitch. |
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| So HEALTHY and crazy tasty, too. Some lovely salmon, carrots sautéed in honey, soy sauce, garlic and butter, basmati rice and roasted cauliflower |
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| The most beautiful cantaloupe I'd ever seen - the green on it was the most brilliant, pure color |
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| This was a kale soup I made that the kids even ate. I got on a soup making kick - they were all great but we're souped out for a bit, I think. |
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| Another phenomenal omelette by Jason |
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| And another phenomenal pizza by Jason! Graham says 'Peace!' |
