Merry Christmas

Christmas started early at my house, when Bree and Curtis came for a week on 12-07-11. We had a couple parties, went to the movies, ate at their favorite restaurant...what a great week.When they flew out, it felt like Christmas was over—like I should take the decorations down. This week I am finally getting back in the mood, but come 12-26, those decorations are outta here.

My two dogs love the excitement of lots of guests and treats at Christmas. Even my mom's dog, JellyBean, was invited to our little party.

JellyBean is a little blurry with my mom's old camera, but what a sweet picture of Ellie and Boedy taken by Bree and her amazing camera.

We had a fun gingerbread building contest. After dividing into two teams, boys against the girls, with my mom as team captain for the boys team, we had 20 minutes to put together and decorate a gingerbread train. Mom and Bree are gingerbread experts, so they were team captains. Below is the boy's finished product. Obviously they lost. Unfortunately before snapping a picture of the classy and elegant girl's train, I sent it home with Lori, my sister. There was no question that the girl's train won. It wasn't over done. The boys tried to use all the available supplies to decorate their train. :) What fun, laughs, competitive trash talk, and joy comes from our various contests/games we play each year.

Below is Kelli and Bree. Kelli, my niece, is home from nursing school in Colorado. Such pretty girls!

May the blessing of Christ's birth fill your hearts and minds this Christmas.