December Stuff

So my tree still doesn't look all that great and I'm happily accepting the fact that it won't. I got some greenery hung, but not the stockings. In lieu of beautifully composed pictures of holiday cheer, here's a look back at what's been happening the past week, with quite possibly some of the worst pictures I've taken in a while.

Luke continues to be a mischievous coot. He'd probably be in lots more trouble if he weren't so cute.
He still pushes his chair to the counters to get what he needs, in this case a cracker. And now he has even started climbing all the way up onto the counter.

I feel like I'm losing a son and gaining a daughter. Luke was such a mama's boy and now is drifting more and more to his daddy. Just like Ava did and at about the same age too. And little by little, Ava is preferring me to do things with and for her that previously were Daddy's territory.

Though as it is, the second Dan walks in the door, the kids are literally stuck to him like magnets.
Here they are in the middle of a "dancing" session.


Ava willingly drank her first cup of hot chocolate (it's gotten cold here!) It wasn't love at first drink but she gave it a fair shot.


I have been sewing like crazy, finishing a quilt for the Young Women to give to their pen pal in Israel who has leukemia. I am sad that I forgot to take a picture! And I have been working on my mom's Christmas present. And I won't put up it's picture til she's seen it...

Christmas came a little early when Ava, knowing we were fully engaged with our guests, opened up the presents that were under the tree.

They were all for the kids, sent by my sister in law, Christina. Thanks, again! They are all loved.

We dressed up for family home evening last night.

Ava was Mary,



and Dan was Joseph.


I was a wise man and Luke was a shepherd who lost his headdress. His favorite part was the singing as usual. He always dances and claps along.


I took some family pictures for our friends. And it quickly became apparent that taking a group picture is a whole different story than that of a child or two. I took over 400 pictures and there were about 2 in which everyone is looking at least pleasant and in the right direction. I wish I was even exaggerating.


And I hope Val will forgive me for posting this one, cause it's my favorite. She doesn't like it much, but, Val, you look like a fox!

Aren't they pretty?

Then Val came and took our family picture on the first try cause she's good like that. I'm not posting that though, because then you wouldn't be surprised when you get our Christmas/New Year's card. But here's one of me and Dan just for fun!


So, yeah, I feel like I've been busy but my to-do list hasn't gotten any shorter. Maybe because when I should be doing something productive, I sit here and do this instead.