Christmas 2014

This was the first year we have had Christmas at our house. I loved hosting, decorating and making out home as cozy and welcoming as I could for my entire family.

Some of our most interesting gifts included an incubator full of incubated eggs, a growing, organic mushroom mother/plant, a saurkraut crock, a bike, some neat shoes, hats and books...

I think one of my favorite things was seeing the folded paper airplanes steal the show after it was all said and done. Grandpa Bob and Josiah and Kaila threw those things for hours and the kids couldn't get enough.  Forget the toys, it's always the random paper thing that is the most intrigueing ; )

We went on a few hikes, lounged around and talked, laughed alot and thouroughly enjoyed each other's company. One of the best parts was that after Christmas Day, we knew that we didn't have to say goodbye because Uncle G and Aunt T had another adventure planned for the 26th...

To Be Continued...

Carols

When I was a kid, my Aunty Sharon and Uncle George would host a Sing-A-Long and it was one of my many precious Christmas memories. There were cookies and dozens of kids screaming loudly to songs, it was sooo much fun. 

The past two years Ryan and I have hosted an ugly sweater/cookie exchange sing-along.

I just love singing Christmas carols. They are such a touching way to worship Jesus and engage in thinking about Christ's coming to be born as a human. One of my favorite parts of this night is sitting down with people who are Christian and non-Christian alike, from all different backgrounds, to sing those beautiful songs.  Plus, all the fun ones, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Oh Christmas Tree, Up on the Housetop.. are just that... fun and light hearted! 

Those carols remind me of the joy of being a child at Christmas. The magic and beauty that kids see in the season, literaly around every corner, now reminds me of the unfathomable, unknowable ways of God. Their wonder manifests itself in is such tangible ways, screaming in excitement, jumping up and down, wide eyed staring, the anticipation and waiting for a joy deferred. They are in awe at lights, presents, and all the "fun" Christmas stuff.  I see them and it reminds me of how my heart and lips should, (and some day will)  tremble and cry out, and be as my children are now, as I stand, fall or dance in awe and wonder of God, who presents beauty, love, and gifts in so many ways.

Christmas Prep...

The buildup...

Finale to come!

"Oh the places you will...vacuum."

What's the last thing you swept? What's the last thing you vacuumed? 

One day long ago, I stopped in my tracks. This is a seriously odd stage in life. 

I was sweeping the carpet. 

Then I vacuumed the table.

How about vacuuming a baby doll. 

How about the fact that Ry was taking to a co-worker the other day and referred to his sore glutes as his "bummy" without even missing a beat... yet I digress.

I'll admit. I even vacuumed out the oven once. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Yes, it's odd, but beautiful. I do what I can to get the job done.

(Kaila putting baby powder on her baby-doll. She's such a good little mommy!)

Good Idea Bad Idea

Ryan and I couldn't decide. Is a top-heavy camo-camper, complete with map-print curtains and shutter-glass windows, built on a truck bed a good idea, or a bad idea?

  We spent a considerable amout of time freeway-stalking this beauty, trying to just absorb it's glory from every angle.   Where were we? You probably guessed it. Driving through Sacramento.

thanksgiving... A little late!

It's just been one fun thing after another around here! I can't complain of being too busy, it's just that I have to let things go by the wayside to keep from feeling too busy! Thus the lack of blog posts lately.

Here are some Thanksgiving hilights...

Spending time with the family and playing in the creek...

Chatting with our beautiful family, near and far (via skype)

Running a T-day 5 K with Ryan, who paced me and I got a great time!

Spending time with these amazing people...and good food of course (not pictured...pictures mysterously missing!)

Camping

I love that my man is a dreamer. He decided that he wanted to bike from San Luis to Santa Barbara, and then camp the night at El Capitan...and then he made it happen.

 It's only a short hour and a half away from us, and I totally want to go again and again now! Ry and a few of his friends did the ride together and they loved it. We had some great Mexican food and then camped with our friends for one night at El Cap. It turned out to be great weather and totally worth it.

Then, we headed back to SLO for coffee early the Sunday morning, had coffee in the Mission Plaza and lunch down at Shell Beach.

Tie it all up with dinner at a friend's house that night and it made for one particularly great weekend.  Now we're not going any where for a few weeks and it's time to rest in our hoome ; )