So, this is Christmas

Every year I want to be obvious about what we are celebrating. I would love to have December 1st arrive with the decorating, shopping, wrapping, sending, and card writing completed. This year was different. The moving, unpacking, traveling, house selling, retiring and distance from Lonny curtailed some early holiday preparations.

We only had three weeks between our return from Thanksgiving until our departure for Christmas. Twenty one days of dance recital, The Nutcracker, Choir concert, a new calling, visiting, shopping, card making, baking, partying, cleaning, packing and Emily insisted we decorate for Christmas.

It definitely was more festive with the tree, although it stood guard over only 2 presents. The presents were under Jen and Jon's tree.

We had the traditional Christmas Eve where I am always reminded of the blood, sweat and tears that made this piano performance possible.

This year Kirsten played too. Her mom is her teacher. Emily played a guitar solo but you will have to take my word for it, no photo.

Then came matching pajamas.

For the kids too.

Colton is in this picture, it's not that Max has four feet.

Now you see him,

and then Max is done.

Emily took over,

then Colton was done.

And just so typical for Christmas morning, Santa had already come and gone. We missed him, so we went to Church. The presents waited for our return.

Max and his zoo. And his mullet.

This is some serious business.

Colton and his train attire and his train track.

Emily got a present or six as well. We didn't get to see Geoff and Alayna much since we had them for Thanksgiving and we have to share.

We sure did miss them. They were so close. At least with the other boys a visit was out of the question.

I hope you dance.

The holidays wore some people out.

But not this big guy.

We loved our Christmas with these people. It was nifty.

I think I will address the 2012 cards now.