Merry Belated Christmas!

This will have to act as our Christmas card this year! Sorry we didn't get one out.

Merry Christmas to everyone! We've had a nice Christmas break. We enjoyed the Christmas Eve service at church and walking through the Streets of Bethlehem there. Christmas day was spent with the kids trying out all kinds of new toys and gadgets, and Bill and I relaxing. We had a great visit with Bill's family the day after Christmas----never enough time to catch up with everyone!

We are having another snowstorm today---up to 5 inches. The older three are outside alternating between playing in the snow and playing in their new clubhouse, their Christmas gift from their grandparents. Bill cleaned up the granary and put lights all around inside, hung a rope ladder up to the loft, hung a hammock, put up a desk and some chairs, a boombox, a slide for the little guys, and Ellie's swing. We have a zipline to put up too---debating whether to do it in the barn or outside. We also have a badminton set to put up. Once the weather is a little warmer, we'll put together an art studio in the loft. Should be lots of fun!

The older guys have watched Star Wars in their clubhouse (with their snow gear on---no heat!). Yesterday they were playing, and Joe decided to come in. He unknowingly locked Jenny and Jack in. Luckily, Jenny found a screwdriver and was able to get out. We don't have any "facilities" out there, and they both were in need of a bathroom break. We might need to nickname Jenny McGyver.

I wanted to pass along some recent pictures. Here's one of Ellie showing off a cookie that the kids decorated at a friend's annual Christmas cookie decorating party. After Ellie was done with it, the frosting was missing.

The older guys having some fun in the snow.

"Oh, say can you see..................."

Actually, we were at the Children's Museum, and Nate was excited about something. Or maybe I had asked him to show me his tonsils.....can't remember.

And Ellie helping Bill with the dishes. Once she hears the water running, she runs and pushes her chair over to "help out". She can keep herself busy in the sink for up to 45 minutes. Notice how she is on her tiptoes! Funny thing is, she absolutely HATES taking a bath. Go figure.

We played a game at our mini-church's Christmas party in which each family had to dress up (with newspapers) as something related to Christmas. Here you see two of our three Wise Men.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! We are so thankful for the many ways God has blessed us this year, and the ways He's shown His faithfulness. We are especially thankful for the birth of His Son at this time of year.

Be looking for Jenny's special guest post soon!