Joy! Merry Christmas

Christmas morning was magical.  I love to see the joy on their faces.  

Ben got a pretty sweet gift.
He might have been
 the happiest of all.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Bells 🔔 

We drew names for parts
in the Nativity this year.

Q was not happy about
the matching pjs.

Love this!

Great picture of T.

Jolly Good Times!

Sugar Cookies

Home made ornaments

Ben, Tiago, Qyntn and I participated
in the neighborhood live Nativity.

Spiderman!!

Giving Machine
Some lucky family is getting a goat!

The Present Game,
A family favorite.

We supported Tara and Tad at
A Christmas Story the musical.

Dance Party!

Oh T.

It's a Mystery

Ben and I got to go see Jim Gaffigan again (third time).  We smiled and laughed all night, it was fun.

However, at the show Ben's elbow started hurting.  It got all swollen and red and we had no idea why.  

The next day it was getting worse, so we took pictures and sent them to my dad who said it looked like olecronon bursitis and prescribed an antibiotic.  Two days later, it looked even worse.  Dr. Layton took a look and told Ben that he should go to the ER, so he did.

We had outlined it with marker so we
could tell if it was spreading
Um, it was.

In the ER he was given IV antibiotics, they did blood work and took a sample of the goopy pus.  The culture came back negative for organisms and his blood work was normal.  What???  How could that be?  He had no abrasions, no bug bites and there was no injury.  After a follow up visit with an orthopedic specialist it remains a mystery.   We just hope it heals quickly so he doesn't have to postpone his knee surgery.  I'll write about that later.

25 Titles of Christ

Starting on December first, our scripture study each day has been focused on one of the titles of Christ.  It has been a blessing to think about all the the ways He shows up for us in our lives.

Be Jolly!

Our welcome mat says, "Be Jolly."  Good idea!  I've decided to take it easy and be more jolly this Christmas.  I'm watching Christmas movies every day, presents were ordered online and are already wrapped and under the tree, and no Christmas cards will be mailed out.  I'm just taking in all the wonderful sights, sounds, smells and feels this year.  

Sledding!

Our first real snow didn't happen
until December this year.
I love fresh snow grass!

Q begged us to take him sledding!

His friend Caden came along
I love those smiles!

First hot chocolate of the season. YUM!

Tito!

 Ayzha came home from college and brought Tito.  She doesn't plan to take it back with her after Christmas.  Did we just inherit a cat?

He's a very handsome poser.

He had already taken over the house.

..and he's been very naughty!
There are ornaments all
around the house!
He knocks them off the tree,
pounces on them and dribbles
them around like a soccer ball.

We're afraid for Holly's fish.
and the ferrets!

So Blessed!

We have truly been blessed throughout the years.  When I think about all the good things in my life I feel joy!  The key to a happy life is being thankful for all that you have.  

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving
with our new step family!

I'm grateful for our sweet kids!

and sweet Ben who seems to always 
carve the turkey.

We went thrifting on Black Friday.
The Good Will Outlet is pretty wild.
We were waiting for new bins. 
Once in place, it was a feeding frenzy.

And we decorated for Christmas.