More Christmas...

Here are a few last pictures from our Christmas weekend that I haven't gotten around to posting until now. I know it's already into the new year, but may you be reminded that the gift of giving is our's to be treasured all year through!

There's not many extra corners left in this house, so the top of the cedar wardrobe was the popular pick of the week for stashing Christmas gifts.

And, as usual, there was a lot of fun festive baking

          Daniel & Amanda                   sugar-crystaled spearmint leaves

Three happy siblings :)

~ Opening Gifts ~

One tradition we have is drawing names at the end of the summer for who each one will give a gift. It's always a challenge to try making it all the way to Christmas Eve without anyone else figuring out who you have. Then, the drumroll is on as we discover who had each person as a secret partner that year.

This year, we also spontaneously had a bow-making competition and unofficially applauded the one who had made the best, or most unique, bow on their gift. Some were unique alright! Papa made the one below--it had some intricate detail involved that was hard to spot right off.

This was a spectacular sight--trees freshly coated in ice, glowing in the bright, golden sunset!

"For with thee is the fountain of life:

in thy light shall we see light."

~ Psalm 36:9 ~