Pretty Lights

We weren't sure when we could reschedule Caelan's birthday lights drive, given on the only days off Buck has before the end of the year (and of the lights) a biggie blizzard is expected to arrive at our doorstep. But a bit of quick research revealed the lights stayed on til 10 p.m. the weekend after Christmas! Buck gets off of work generally around 9 pm on the weekends and the lights aren't terribly far from there. So, we packed up the van at 8:30 and drove away, drove away, drove away all. The radio revealed that all stations have reverted from their holiday state, bummer, when we (I) were (am) still in the mood for Christmas music! Well, the drive-through lights have their own radio station, so we tuned into that at the gate. I would prove this to you with a video I took, but once again, when I thought I was taking a video, my phone was waiting for me to hit "go." Lol! Maybe next year . . .

Chicken Chores

Between snow squalls we tend to pop up the hill and see how the flock is faring. They are still keeping up with around eight to 10 eggs a day--the challenge is getting to the eggs before they freeze. I have nearly five dozen on the counter right now, after giving four dozen away last weekend. I've also been wanting to get a picture of the real chickens perched behind the Christmas chickens. It was cold (despite Graysen's ensemble), so I snapped few and then flew the coop!

Unique new species in the coop today, flapping his wings and everything! :)

Merry Christmas 2020

Apparently some of our children were under the impression that, although we went to bed well after midnight, we were getting up at 6 a.m. to open gifts. Thus we had a tired and kind of annoyed Brennen when we woke up closer to 9 :) The kids began with their stockings and then opened gifts to each other--they did a great job selecting gifts! Lots of laughing and happy surprises. We soon discovered we'd let the cinnamon rolls over-rise, but they tasted just as good, hot from the oven.

Next we opened a round of golden gifts from Grandma J and Mr. R . . . I'd say the Packers gear, curling iron with multiple curl attachments, headbands, video game, LEGOs, clothes, shoes, etc. etc. were a hit! After that came a round of flowered gifts from CO, tea-infuser/water bottle, light up tracing board and charcoal pencils, more LEGOs, and a starter-level GoPro. Buck had a coffee-themed Christmas, a storage tray, Arbuckles coffee bundle (including t-shirt), a new French press, and a pretty new pipe and pouch.

There are so many things when all the Christmasses are celebrated in one! Buck treasures this time at home with family. You can see other gifts as you scroll through the photos, including a picture Gabby painted into a portrait of Buck and me, and an ankle bracelet my friend made for her. Caelan dove right into her fresh stack of piano music, and even recreated a bit of her recital piece so her great aunt (who doesn't have working sound on her computer) could hear her play over the phone.

While Buck and the kids worked on a new video game he discovered and watched football, I worked on getting the side dishes ready for Christmas dinner. Buck put a ham in and later asparagus, Caelan made sweet potatoes and Artisan bread, and I attempted banana pudding. We knew Christmas was tight for a friend from small group, so when I asked if we could bolster her meal a bit she started listing off things they normally include. One thing was banana pudding--Buck went nuts, apparently, he loves this stuff. It's a good thing to find out after nearly 20 years of marriage--the other person's top-of-the-list dessert. Well, thanks to S, who gave me a tutorial in her kitchen, I made banana pudding for Christmas dinner. The kids said I've made this before, maybe a decade ago? I believe them, but I don't remember clearly this event :) Anyway, it was fun to think we were sharing Christmas dinner with a friend by eating some of the same things, my recipes and hers, on Christmas day with our families--albeit in two different locations.

We had to double plate our meal, because there were so many options. Thus we moved Caelan's birthday roses to make space for the extra plates. It's not a terrible problem to have :)

When the LEGOS were built, the hair was curled, the massive pieces of apple pie were eaten, and I even got to read a bit of a book, we settled in and were thankful again for Christmas. There were good reminders this year that Jesus is not only the reason for this season, but for everything we do. He's the reason we miss the ones we've lost with most of our hearts, but not all of them. We have the hope of reunion in eternity, because Jesus gave up His space in perfection, to be born as a baby in less than ideal conditions. He would never reach His 40th birthday, because He wanted us to know we could be with Him for eternity, back in perfection where He belongs, and He wants us to join Him. That's the best Christmas gift of all!

Christmas Eve

Buck headed to work early on Christmas Eve. After taking care of some last minute wrapping and other pre-Christmas to-do list items (like ordering dinner way in advance), the Crew and I settled in to watch our church's Christmas Eve service stream. Caelan and Gabby were part of the worship team, all filmed in separate segments and spliced together with digital magic. Caelan played keys, Gabby rocked the bass (and looked Christmassy while doing it), and at home the Crew improvised the candlelight suggestion during Silent Night (my sister's oven light, may have our creativity beat :).

But we tend to be over-achievers, so one Christmas Eve service wasn't enough for us! Lol :) We really wanted to be in person, singing carols, seeing faces, connecting with God's people on Christmas Eve. Our NGFs have decided they want this too, and are now attending a church that didn't take a covid break. It is near their home and they'll still come to our youth group . . . so, anyway, we joined them for their Christmas Eve service at their church. There was a bonus surprise as the boys' twin buddies also are attending that church now, and G$ got to sit with Isaiah during the service. Lovely candlelight photos courtesy my NGF, of course :)

After church, we joined our NGFs in their annual Christmas Eve tradition--ordering take-out Chinese food to eat at home. My NGF puts the beauty into every occasion; I admire her comfortable elegance. Who knew paper plates and napkins could seamlessly accentuate such a lovely display? With a cupful of chopsticks in the middle, so pretty! And the food was delicious! It has been a long time since we've eaten take-out Chinese. We called at lunchtime for a 7:30 pm pick-up and I'm glad we did. It was one of the only restaurants open that late on Christmas Eve and they had more than a dozen big orders when we called ours in. My NGF said last year she waited over an hour, this year it was just minutes.

Buck was able to join us just before dinner, and we spent the next few hours visiting with our friends. We've never spent a Christmas Eve like this before, but it was really wonderful! And we even convinced the oldests to take pictures of the grown-ups, aww, we exist! We did make them take about 50 before we approved of one, but I'd say it turned out pretty nicely. We're thankful for this family!

And of course, upon returning home, we sent the kids to bed early (like 11:45) so we could put the finishing touches on the morning celebration. Presents piled, bank envelopes and Christmas cards in the tree, stockings stuffed, and cinnamon rolls rising on the stove . . . ahh, Christmas Eve.