Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

We had a truly wonderful holiday. Sarah was home (big smile). We all went to church together on Christmas eve and celebrated, with LOTS AND LOTS of people, the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

I am so blessed to have kids who, although they are not little kids anymore, still revel in the joy of Christmas. They are certainly not afraid to act a little goofy.


We got to visit with lots of family and friends.


This is Nana getting to hold, for the first time, her 18th great-grandchild, Josephine.


A perfect Christmas picture of all 10 of my parents grandchildren.


Sarah got her wish of holding her new cousin, baby Josie, for the WHOLE day.


We ate wonderful food.

We enjoyed giving and receiving thoughtful, fun presents.


This is the felted handbag I knitted Sarah.

This is Andrew trying out his new banjo. It was a big surprise!


Doug made Billy a horseshoeing tool box. Very cool!



Tommy opened a gift that was a box with an old hay hook in it. He did look perplexed for a few seconds until he realized that it was actually a clue to where he could find his gift. He ran out to the hayloft, followed by his brothers and Dad, and found his brand new bike. Doesn't he look happy!



This is my brother, Jimmy, holding the HANDMADE knife that Doug made him for Christmas. I think he liked it. A LOT!!

After 3 days of festivities, we relaxed and relaxed. Then we relaxed some more. Actually, that's what I am still doing. I plan on returning to my regularly scheduled programming come Monday, but for now I'm reading, knitting, watching movies, Lost, and football, and still eating plenty of sinful food.

I love the holidays, but I have to admit, I also REALLY love the quiet that follows!!