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| This year, Christmas Eve at our house...... |
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| ...was like.... |
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| ...being wrapped up in a warm, cozy blanket. (Moe's new present from Buttercup) |
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| I felt surrounded.... ....(like a present that is all tucked up in it's gift wrap)....  ....by the glow of Christmas beauty and joy..... And it brought me peace. |
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| Happy Birthday, Jesus! |
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| ....On our way to Christmas Mass.... Have a very Merry Christmas!! |
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| ...living room..... |
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| .....because Christmas is so close.... |
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| .....everyone dancing merrily... |
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| ...in a new.... |
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| ...old-fashioned way.... |
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| Christmas songs are playing at our house..... ....and we are getting ready for a very special day!!!! |
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| ...as the aroma of sweet cookies filled the air.... ...decorated by a bit of "sweetness" herself! |
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| Also, the sounds of the season have been filling the air with beautiful music. Coco loves to turn on this special carousel train that we received as a gift in the mail from Grandpa Wes the year we were married..... |
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| ...and it has been set up each year since then and it continues to be the favorite decoration. |
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| Ky had the honors this year of putting the angel on top of our tree.... |
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| .....as the final touches were added just last night to make our tree look perfect. Grandma Jo....this picture is for you!!! |
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| ....has had us picking out and cutting down our own Christmas tree since 1993. Mark and I started doing this when we lived in Oregon and we have been doing it ever since. This year, it was Moe's first time to do the cutting! |
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| This is our second year at this particular tree farm and it is fast becoming our favorite as they serve free hot chocolate.... |
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| ....which really is HOT. It definitely warms you up after spending time outside in the cold looking for just the right tree. |
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| And, for a minimal price, they also serve fresh, home-made donuts!! |
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| Which were soooo yummy... |
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| ...and hit the spot! |
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| I captured this great Father/Son photo, but the timing was just right (or just not right) as I happened to catch a guy bringing a few boxes of donuts for his family to eat. He noticed that he might be in the picutre and as he walked by me he said, "My name is Adam and I am 21...just in case you might use that picture for a Christmas card." I told him that is wasn't a Christmas card...but he could make my blog! |
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| Coco had an appointment with her personal stylist this week.... |
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| ....where she had a pedicure... |
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| ....a manicure.... |
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| ...and her hair styled!! Thank-you, Buttercup, for job well done! Coco will be giving you repeat business! |
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| Today, on this special feast day, as tradition would have it......the kids woke up to..... |
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| ...their shoes filled with wonderful treats! |
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| We celebrated this morning with our homeschool group.... |
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| ....where there were 8 tables set up...with a different craft at each table. Nacho had fun table-hopping and... |
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| .....so did Coco. |
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| A special visitor showed up to make the day even more fun! |
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| Loving God, we thank You for the example of St Nicholas, who fed the hungry, brought hope to the imprisoned, gave comfort to the lost, and taught the truth to all. May we strive to imitate him by putting You first in all we do. Give us the courage, love and strength of St Nicholas, so that, like him, we may serve You through loving our brothers and sisters. Amen. —by Amy Welborn |
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| The expectations were pretty high around here yesterday as we flipped the calendar page to the new month. Snow was top-most on Nacho's mind all day. To him, December meant snow. |
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| He only had to wait until the 2nd day of the month.... |
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| ....to be filled with utter delight....The white blanket that fell overnight was just the right amount to play in! |
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| Nacho has been very excited to change the cover of his pillow......a gift he received from his god-parents when he was a baby. The gift came complete with 12 themed pillowcases....one pillow case for each month of the year. |
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| Well, today, he was excited.... |
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| ...to remove the turkeys.... |
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| ...and put on the Santas!! |
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| Because December..... |
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| ...."is SOOO exciting." Nacho is in such anticipation for Christmas AND for what could possibly make it's first appearance this month...... ....SNOW!....... |
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| ....which I can happily say has not come our way yet this year. |
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| So, even though it is December... |
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| ...and we know the snow will be here soon..... |
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| ...we are still making do.... |
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| ...with what we have. |
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| The leaves.... |
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| ...on the ground.... |
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| ...are still.... |
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| ...fun..... |
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| ..for now! |
