First Day of Christmas

I was going to make this several posts - but I'll just make one long one and you can scroll through the photos as you like. LOL

We had a wonderful day! We don't do a gift exchange on the 25th any longer (unless we have company who won't be here later in the week), but we DO celebrate Jesus.  We do a gift exchange later on during the Twelve Days of Christmas - usually on 31 Dec as that fits with the culture of the country of our heart - Japan.

Stacia reminded me of the long-standing tradition of homemade Cinnamon Rolls on Christmas morning. Funny thing about traditions-you may never know when they begin; but they rarely end.  Stacia got up to help bake- I think that's become part of the tradition now. The small pan is totally sugar free - made with dates - as I'm trying hard to eliminate sugar until 24 Jan.  The top pan is lethal.

 

We had hung birthday banners (Jesus') and had balloons etc. The kids really liked the balloons Cynthia gave them. LOL

 

Note - the sniper on the balcony

Yes, I provoked him. He loved it. 

I was motivated by Desiree's darling stair step photo of her children on Christmas Morning. We used to take these photos - and I decided to do one even though four were missing...... Pretty good except for the closed eyes and fake smiles....

 

I told them to say Sushi....look who held "su" much longer than necessary....

 

This may be my favorite

 

The girls gave each other pedicures. Krista now has Duck toes. 

 

Michael turned the trailer around....

 

The girls made the cake yesterday and we decorated it today...

 

It was an evolving plan

Seriously working

 The star was the crowning touch

Also seriously working

 

While we decorated Nolan cleaned our windows! 

Some took naps, some read...

Stacia and I baked bread. She also scrubbed and cut up potatoes and we got a roast in the oven....with an extra pan of roasted veggies.

BreZaak and my folks arrived in the afternoon

 Bre - I'd been bike riding with Stacia - I don't always wear a helmet



Love having a son in law

Yep - fits right in

After dinner we had family circle, sang our Christmas Hymn and played Birthday Party games.....In year's past we've drawn a stable and pinned a star.  The stable didn't make the move - but Westlie and MTOC reminded me there IS a DONKEY In the story. LOL

 

 House Rules - we moved the board after each turn

 

The older girls seemed too happy to spin each other

Bre is dizzy

 They  moved the board to the kitchen on me



 

This was the funniest - Krista really got Michael

 It made us nervous to spin Grandpa and Grandma around - but they insisted.

Party Shot

 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Christmas Eve - We found LIGHTS

Michael was home today - which is always a bonus. He got busy on a project - adding a stabilizer to the trailer. He got the back done and will do the front some other time. 

While he was busy with this, the girls and I worked on meal plans for the upcoming week, a grocery list, baked a cake for tomorrow and then Krista, Stacia and I went grocery shopping. Yeah - not the best planning. I only got hit four times by other shopper's carts. ::snort::  Arielle put the mighty stock of food back in the pantry as we were finally able to declare it ant-free this a.m.

We spent the afternoon playing games.  Scrabble Scoop - which I'd forgotten we had. This is more a game of chance than skill....I thought maybe we stood a chance in this version of Scrabble.

 

Krista brought a new game down - In a Pickle. It was a lot of fun. I'm sure we'll play it more.

 

Arielle found the traveling men today. We thank Jesus because He's picture perfect.

We enjoyed the Christmas Candlelight service tonight and then we went in search of Christmas lights. We found the right neighborhood in Yuba City!  I only had my phone so the photos are wonderful but the memories are. LOL  They had lights strung across the street from roof to roof.

Stacia reminded me it's "tradition" for me to make cinnamon rolls on Christmas Morning. It is a GOOD thing she reminded me because it wasn't even on my radar screen. She's in bed and made me promise to wake her up to bake with me. I love it.  Krista isn't feeling well and is also sleeping. The men are reading. I'm about to join them.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Krista's Home

Our big news of the day is that KRISTA IS HERE! ::grin::  We are simply doing "ordinary" things but it's fun to do them with new people in the house.

We continue to read our "Advent" book - it has readings which will go through to 6 Jan. Krista thought it very funny that we try to sing the hymn each  night. We had no clue at all tonight - so Michael played the melody for us on the piano.

 

They KNOW if they don't sing, I will make them sing a solo....so we make a very fun and joyful noise....not often near the original hymn but we're trying.

 

No comment at all - though I tried and deleted four. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Invasion of 2014

Well......the title of the post comes from an incident below, but this photo serves to share we are eagerly anticipating and preparing for the arrival of family. Krista will arrive tomorrow. BreZaak and my parents on the evening of the 25th. Michael told the boys to switch out water in the hot tub. LOL  Yes, we are awaiting the invasion of the family.....

We were NOT anticipating, nor are we eager for the INVASION OF THE ANTS. These little pests are HUGE pests around here when it begins to rain. We've had them coming in the patio door and making a trail to Yuuki's food in winters past....  There are thousands of them who are making their home in the Far West Library. This is disgusting and the base etymologists say there is nothing they can do at this time of the year.  I was happy that they had NOT made any appearance at our home. I kept checking the patio....but we found THIS today.....All over our pantry. The kids entered the pantry, threw out packages they'd breached and cleaned. We sprayed. We put out traps....and all the food sits in the middle of the kitchen while we prepare for family. ::snort::

We didn't see any more last night. (Monday night) We put out traps....and this morning.....this is just one trap. FULL. I am trying to find the little strips which others have told me work well. These liquid traps are all Walmart had.  I'm going to have to go buy more spray and traps.....because this does not look like a pantry ready for more food.

We booked flights for Michael to fly to Colorado for Mike the Elder's Vigil, Funeral and graveside services.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

A Final and A First

Today marks our final Christmas Program in the Air Force.  Three of the kids participated this year.

 

Arielle was the narrator.

 

Zander was a wise man and Stacia was the star which led  to the manger.

This evening we attended our first Marty Goetz  concert. This was a Chanukah and Christmas celebration at Auborn Calvary Chapel. Marty is a Jewish believer and wow - can he SING and play the piano. We had a great time.  If you are ever able to attend one of his concerts we recommend it. They are fun, lively and more like a worship service than a concert.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...