Christmas 2014

We made it to California for Christmas. I was able to work longer days Monday and Tuesday, so I didn't have to go in Wednesday and we were able to get an early start and make it to Modesto in time for dinner and the Christmas Eve service. Nothing like hugs from family, tea of good tidings, and the Hallelujah Chorus to start off Christmas.

We had family brunch Christmas morning with frittata, cinnamon rolls, bacon, broiled grapefruit, and mimosas with freshly squeezed orange juice. 

Dave read us the Christmas story and we had some time to relax and visit. We were planning to open presents and have Christmas dinner on Sunday, which was rather nice because our morning wasn't rushed.

Joshua and I arrived at my parents' house in the early afternoon.

We started off by discovering the gender of Jonah and Michelle's new baby. Of course, they didn't make it easy for us. Each of us opened a present, which had a clue that led to a cup with part of a sentence in it. Then we had to figure out the order of the sentence, which was another clue that led to a bottle under the sink tied with a ribbon. And I won't tell you what color the ribbon was. But I thought that was a great way for us to find out; we had fun running around trying to find all the clues with the suspense building.

Then we opened presents. 

Evan had drawn my name and got me a great stockpot (I always overfill my biggest pot when I'm making soup), a picture of the kids, and an ornament that he made for me. I always think it's so neat when the kids (or anyone else) includes homemade things in my gift. Heather made a Toad and Frog for Emery that turned out really well too.

We had a feast for dinner and gingerbread for dessert.

The next day we had a citrus tasting with the fruit from Dad and Mom's trees. 

Emery helped us make a second round of shortbread cookies. The ones we made Tuesday night didn't turn out at all and we had to throw them away. We still don't know exactly what happened, but the new batches turned out great.

Sunday we returned to continue celebrating Christmas with the Kerr family.

We had a delicious Christmas dinner and then opened presents.

Solace enjoyed opening presents and throwing away the wrapping paper. And then pulling out the paper and throwing it away again. I got a couple new games and (speaking of homemade gifts that I love) a calendar that Bethany put together with pictures of all the nieces and nephews.

It was a wonderful Christmas and we were so thankful to be able to celebrate with our families.

The First Quarter is Done!

We used a gift certificate Joshua got for his birthday to go out to dinner and celebrate the end of the first quarter and Joshua's birthday. We got burgers and rhubarb cider and everything was delicious. After a busy quarter and a particularly busy last few weeks, it was nice to have a little time to relax and reflect while we celebrated.

Holiday Spirit

We weren't around the weekend after Thanksgiving and then things were quite busy with school and work after we got back, so we didn't end up getting our tree until last weekend. Apparently that is pretty late because we went to three different places and all of them had very few trees left. But it ended up working out okay because we got one of the display trees from Home Depot and it is a beauty.

The book nook is a cozy place anyway, but now with the tree and the lights Joshua put up it is a great spot to sit.

 We have been doing lots of festive baking and I made Christmas coasters on the Singer Spartan that Grandad gave us when he found out we were looking for a sewing machine. It belonged to his mother and is a great machine; simple, durable, and sews like a champ.

And, of course, we have been enjoying festive holiday beverages, Tea of Good Tidings and eggnog, yum!

Stormy Night Sunset

One of the great things about living where it rains a lot is all the beautiful skies we get to enjoy.

Chandler Thanksgiving

 We headed farther south Friday morning and celebrated Thanksgiving with the Chandlers that evening. Dad and Mom always have great fall colors, which was particularly nice since I felt like we hadn't had much in Oregon. I didn't end up taking many pictures of our time there, so the following are ones I copied from Heather's blog. 

All the girls worked on dinner together; Natalie and I wore matching aprons.

 

After lots of delicious food, Dad made a fire and we enjoyed snuggling in front of it.  

Isaac made eggnog to kick off the Christmas season. Cheers!

Everyone spent the night, so I got to read the kids a bedtime story and Joshua read stories with them Saturday morning.

We had breakfast burritos and orange danish rolls for breakfast.

We worked with the boys to put lights on the roof; this year the design was a star.

Micah gave us an ornament that he made on the scroll saw. I'm impressed every year by how good they are getting on that saw. 

Of course, there was a Lego building party.

We enjoyed a walk in the sunshine. It was so warm! Mid-afternoon we headed back up to Modesto and had another delicious family dinner there before returning home on Sunday. It was hard to have the visit be so short, but wonderful to see everyone and we are looking forward to going down again soon.