Christmas Traditions: Saint Nicholas Day

The night before . . .

St. Nick gave the girls cookies shaped like hens and the boys roosters and there was a barn with a T on it for Tate. The cookies represent our year of being involved in 4H, gardening and learning how to use the resources God gives us wisely.

Elisabeth is writing everything down in her journal.

This box was left outside by the van in the driveway. We do not know who dropped it off.

It's a Christmas tree!

What a surprise!

This is my (CRT) Christmas mug that I have had since college.

Watching Christmas videos on YouTube . . . this may be a new holiday tradition.

Obadiah kept bringing me unwrapped chocolates . . . he was unwrapping everything!

. . . the remains of delicious goodness.

Christmas Traditions

Busy Elves. We try to make gifts for family members (especially grandparents) for Christmas every year.

Two Two-Year Old Boys + One Tractor = Sadness

The boys fought over Obie's John Deere tractor this morning which resulted in Joel putting it out on the front porch. Lots of tears occurred as a result and therefore Joel decided a snack was in order. Isaiah was pleased with the plan . . .

. . . Obie was not!

Before the tractor incident we had happy boys.

Craziness at Mealtime . . .

This is a sample of our dinner conversation this week.

Christmas Traditions

We have two extra kids this week. Our friends (Steve & Suzanne) went on a trip and we have the privilege of hosting their daughters for the week.

We have collected children's Christmas books even before we had kids. We now have several and we wrap 25 books every December and open and read one each night until Christmas day. The kids love it!

I don't need the calendar . . .

to tell me this is the first day of December. I don't need the television to tell me that the Redskins lost yesterday. I don't need weather.com to tell me that last night's snow and ice is going to be the broth for today's dismal soup.
I know these things full well.
What I do need is for the Bible to tell me that God is in charge. I need the Bible to tell me that God is operating in ways beyond the scope of my perception or comprehension. I need the Bible to tell me that I think about myself too much. I need to hear from Scripture that today's date, yesterday's loss, and tomorrow's weather won't matter much a couple hundred years into eternity.
And in regard to these things the Bible is both loud and clear.

Thanksgiving

Thanks to Omya and the Elliotts for providing the turkey and thanks to Joel for cooking it.

Grandpa and Lucy.

The table without people . . . we were to busy eating to take pictures during the meal.

Obie & Emma.

Caroline

Obie helps Nate fix the Robobug.These girls had way too much fun together!

I think we tired him out.

We had way too much fun on the couch . . . way too much fun!

Lucy, reminding us what the holiday is about.

Again . . . too much fun on the couch.

Crazy girls . . . I like Lucy's expression and Reba looks like she really is giving birth.

Lucy had lots of fun with Reba's camera.

Grace gave us a concert.

. . . more couch fun!