Christmas pics

We waited til everyone arrived (except K who didn't get in til late Christmas Eve) to decorate the tree...


In the days leading up to Christmas...

Jonathan worked on a very special gift

Erin baked cookies and relaxed

Luke did a bit of leather work

and Andrew played the cello

On Christmas morning...

this special gift was enjoyed

and Sadie took it all in.

On Christmas day, my parents and sister's family joined us for gift giving, feasting, and visiting. But I was so busy in the kitchen and elsewhere that I took very few pictures. Sorry!

The rest of the time, we cooked and hugged...

and hugged....

and played...

Dutch blitz and Fishbowl and Taboo and Cranium

Boys AND...

girls this year!

It was a full happy family time and it's drawing to a close as young people drive away or board airplanes and head off, leaving a smaller crowd and a quieter house...

But what sweet memories of joy and fun and what K called "whole hearted honest love" we will all cherish til we can be together again.