Saturday, December 28, 2013

The path less traveled...

Jeff and Grace had sometime together today as they hiked part of the Appalachian Trail near our home.  




Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas morning

This might be one of my very favorite times of the year.  The stress of Christmas prep is over.  We spend the morning together as a family.  We enjoy seeing each other open gifts that we've put a lot of effort and love into. And we're able to focus on the birth of Christ.  

Here are a few pictures from our morning....










Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Eve 2013

 Before the start of our Christmas Eve celebrations, I (tried) to take a picture of the kids in their Christmas clothing in front of the tree.  You can tell that Henry's not a great fan of sitting still for pictures right now.




This evening, we started at my mom's house for time with Liz's family.  


After supper, we went to our church's Christmas Eve service which every year is an excellent way to remind us of Christ, and his humble act of coming as man to earth for the salvation of our souls, in the midst of all the other busy and exciting events of the Christmas season.

Our four excited children went to bed wondering what all the morning held for them....

Friday, December 20, 2013

Kate's preschool Christmas program

My cute munchkins after Kate's preschool Christmas program....



Friday, December 13, 2013

Christmas cookies

Every December Mom and I (and occasionally Rachel) make Christmas cookies together.  It's a long day, but lots of fun.  It's long enough (even with an early start) that Dad runs to the school to pick Joost and Grace.  

Also, just for the record, all the pictures of Henry where his eyes appear to be shut are not ill-timed pictures.  That's just how he smiles right now.




Tuesday, December 10, 2013

a snowy day


My kiddos enjoying the snow...

Saturday, December 7, 2013

a few vB pictures

Jeff's sisters, Carolyn and Beth


me, Carolyn, Jeff's mom, Beth, and Jonelle (Jeff's sister-in-law)


Sean (Jeff's brother), Jeff, and Jonelle--I'm pretty sure Sean is competing for height on his tippy-toes. :) 

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Our Christmas tree 2013

We love our Christmas tree weekend!  It's our annual tradition to cut down our tree during the days following Thanksgiving.  We always go to the same tree farm, hike their grounds, and cut down the tree of our choice.



Then, on Sunday evening, we decorate the tree with the movie White Christmas playing in the background.  Christmas isn't Christmas unless we start it off with the tree traditions.



Happy Christmas season!  May Christ be exalted and praised in the weeks to come!