We Have Room. . .

We had last minute winter guests land on our doorstep last night! It was such a treat to tend our little toddling cousin. Singing B-I-N-G-O and Ol' McDonald while Benji danced around lit up all our faces. Bedtime comes too quickly on nights like this, but like any winter story, every girl and boy fell quickly to sleep.

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And in the morning, the dream continued with Dan entertaining everyone with his crazy, stand-on-its-end head of hair and Benji discovering the sliding property of our hardwood floor. Cinnaburst toast loaded with butter, late-coming presents exchanged and a flurry of snow made this another sweet Christmas morning.

If only we could talk them into staying at our place through New Years Eve!

Extraordinary Drink

We have amazing chocolate milk. Not only is it delivered to our door cold and fresh, but it's thick, creamy and tastes delicious (I've been known to chug straight from the bottle on this one). But something happened yesterday that stopped me right in my tracks. According to Ashley, who was the only eye witness, the chocolate milk spilled. . . ALL BY ITSELF! Amazing!

Be Wise

"I promise that if we . . . in sincerity and humility seek the pure and gentle Christ with our hearts, we will see Him, we will find Him—on Christmas and throughout the year."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

". . .lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts;

gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

- Matt. 2: 9-11

Men are like wine. . .

. . . They get even better with age!

Happy Birthday to Sco! You truly get better each year. I love you with all my heart and I'm thankful for the life we've created together. Life is good with you in it.

The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been.
Madeleine L'Engle

From Our Family to Yours

(click on image to enlarge)

Baby It's Cold Outside

This is one of my all time favorite songs for Christmas! And it came from the fantastic movie, "Neptune's Daughter" which makes it doubly delicious. I love to rediscover this song when I hear any of the many versions of "Baby It's Cold Outside". Listening to James Taylor and Natalie Cole sing it together is so much fun. But I will always love this original version, it's so cute!

To a dear, OLD friend on her birthday:

Happy Birthday, sweet Jane Austen.


Pick up your favorite Austen book and celebrate with me!


Jane, you have given us all a gift that keeps on giving. Thank you!

Happy St. Lucia Day

This Swedish tradition has always been part of the Christmas Season for me. My mom recounted her memories of this holiday and I'm proud to say, the tradition lives on in our family. Thank goodness for battery-powered candles!



I want to keep this tradition alive, because I think St. Lucia is a wonderful example for my young daughters. She was a courageous young woman who stood up for her beliefs. She was gracious and loving. She served others willingly and modestly. She spread the Light of Christ. I hope by retelling Lucia's story each year, my girlies learn the true meaning of charity.

I know for me, this tradition has helped keep me linked to daughters that have gone before me: my sisters, my mom, my Grandma June, my Great-Grandmothers Agnes and Mary. . .

Fleeting Moments

While I was sweeping the floor, Ashley asked me, "Mommy, will you play this Go Fish game with me?" With a heart full of guilt and a mind full of my to-do list, I told sweet Ashley that I had to finish up some chores, so I couldn't play.



A minute later she shows me the other deck of "Go Fish" cards and asked, "How about playing this Go Fish game with me?"



She beat me 2-1.



A clean house never lasts more than an hour, but Ashley's smile will last in my mind forever.

Makin' a List, Checkin' it Twice

Christmas trees decorated. . .check.
Presents bought. . .check.
Presents wrapped. . .check.
Christmas cards sent. . .check.
Stockings hung. . .check.


Family scrapbook page designed. . .check.
Scrapbook page sent to loved ones. . .check.
Holiday music playlist created. . .check.
Music fills the air. . .check.


Holiday treats continuously devoured. . .check, check, and check.
Sanity level checked. . .check.
Nutcracker rehearsals finished. . .check.


Parties on calendar. . .check.
Christmas dinner menu finalized. . .check.
Advent calendar counting down. . .check.
Holiday stories being read. . .check, check, check, check. . .


Days left until Christmas. . .15!

Sit back and enjoy the holidays. . .check.