Snowy Christmas & Stuff

We enjoyed a wonderful 2016 holiday season and now I have the fun of playing a little catch-up with a new year upon us.  My personal mantra of "something is better than nothing" definitely applies...

Aaron pretty much rocked it in the Ugly Sweater contest held at Home Care Pulse.  He actually borrow this "gem" from his biking buddy/neighbor with the idea that Aaron wouldn't give it back.  Ha-ha!  Imagine Brett's surprise when a special gift arrived at his doorstep on Christmas Eve.

Duct taped collar, stuffed animal protruding from both sides and many other fine details made this sweater the ultimate winner.  Even so, Aaron and J.C. ended up with pie in their faces when the SRC reached specific goals during December.  What a great sport/boss!

December birthday fun with Anna (and Elsie took Brinley's place) at a local hair school in town.  Scalp treatments all around!  Sometimes girls just need to get their heads scrubbed (and shampoo build-up removed) by someone other than mom. For only $8 - why haven't I done this before?  Ha-ha!  It was definitely a win-win all around.  And the girls enjoyed feeling pampered for an hour.

Elsie & Anna - new braid do's

Their experience at the salon inspired the girls to set-up shop at home (again).  Aaron was a very patient customer/client.  He even let them use their colored hair chalk.

Notice the before/for Christmas bike trainer in the background?

I think we've had more snowfall during this month of December than any other winter month since we arrived in the area 9 1/2 years ago.  Some days it's beautiful.  Other days it's downright annoying.  And I'm not even the one doing the plowing (thanks Aaron and Jantzen).  But I do a good job of keeping the front walks cleared - daily!  It's getting harder to throw the snow up and over because it's getting so high now.

Yes, we have new neighbors.  They moved in after Christmas.

Where to put all this snow....??

It's the drifting we don't appreciate.

The fire pit disappeared long ago.

Elsie & Anna

Fortunately, the kids have really enjoyed playing in this winter wonderland of snow.

Quinn & Jantzen

Mom & Quinn

During the break from school, Aaron found time to pull us around in sleds behind the 4-wheeler.  Neighbors are seen riding snowmobiles in the neighborhood with no fear of damaging the runners because we haven't seen clean roads in weeks.  We just drive around on ice/snow.

Brinley's creation at Aubrey's house.

My delicious dinner on December 23.

Aaron and I joined his parents, Matt & Whitney and Chris & Julia to celebrate Bob's 71st birthday just before Christmas.  Exciting news was shared by both couples - summer babies are on the way!

We 'sandwiched' in our reubens on Christmas Eve day.

Since Christmas occurred on a Sunday this year, we took the kids sledding on Christmas Eve day instead.  Cameron brought along Jagger and Jett and everybody survived at the sand snowdunes.

Jagger & Quinn

Jagger & Jantzen - blazing new trails on the hill's backside

Elsie, Anna, Jantzen, Aaron, Quinn, Cameron, Jagger, Jett

Back of our Yukon - loaded with Sub-4-Santa gifts

Brinley declined the sledding activity due to a cold but was ready with muddy-buddies (chex treat) when we arrived back home.  We prepped for our evening of guests and cranked up the ever-playing Christmas music.  We decided to forgo our sugar cookie making this year because Whitney took it on and shared the love with all of us.  They were delicious!  And the clean-up was nice = nothing.

Whitney makes YUMMY sugar cookies!

Matt & Whitney - Aaron reading the Bible nativity story

All the family (in the area) gathered at our place at 5:30pm to help deliver the Sub-4-Santa gifts.  Afterwards, we ate everything from clam chowder to Italian sausage subs to homemade cheese ball/crackers to veggie tray, etc.  Everyone brought something and it all tasted fantastic.  Before concluding our evening together, the kids acted out the "Nativity Story".

Anna, Quinn, Jagger - 3 Wisemen

Chris w/angel Faye, Brinley

Janene & Bob

Jantzen - Joseph, Elsie - Mary

Not pictured, Cam & Jett, Julia & Greta (not feeling well but in attendance)

Aaron & Heather - Christmas colors?

After extended family left, Aaron and I brought out the unwrapped (do white garbage bags count?) Christmas Eve gifts for the kids and had them cover their eyes.  They were happily surprised to receive a new (and much needed) bed pillow.  We left out some eggnog and a sugar cookie for Santa and carrots for Rudolph then the kids were 'banished' to the bonus room until morning.  I cleaned up the kitchen and set everything out while Aaron put stuff together.  Isn't that how it usually works?  SOO nice to have everything already wrapped this year!

Aaron's tricks-n-traps.  I slept like a baby and didn't hear a peep.

Christmas Morning Stairwell

Anna & Elsie

Jantzen & Quinn

Brinley
Most everything gets wrapped since they sneak downstairs during the night.

Santa didn't hide individual gifts this year but a family gift instead.  New computers for the study nook.

Quinn - a.k.a. Lego Boy

After opening gifts (7:15am) and enjoying some breakfast (thanks Brinley for making the ring), everyone got ready for 10am church.  I had the opportunity of speaking in church on Christmas Day.

Christmas family selfie 

We enjoyed the hour of church and then cruised home to get ready for Tanner's hour long Skype call from a member's home in the Pittsburgh area.  It was the BEST part of Christmas for us this year!

All together again - sort of.

Bob and Janene took a few minutes before heading back to their own place where we enjoyed dinner together that evening.  All the kids had their 'own' time with Tanner after our group chatting.  Aaron and I finished up as the sister missionaries in the area arrived for their calls home.  The time flew by and nobody had a chance to get emotional which was for the best anyway.  It was great to hear Tanner's voice and see him again. Now we will wait until Mother's Day 2017.

Anna & Brinley at G-ma & G-pa M's house

We felt the spirit in rich abundance this holiday season and have enjoyed the blessings of having a full-time missionary out serving the Lord.  Tanner and his companion really appreciated the 12 Days of Christmas we mailed along with the other gifts and cards from family and friends.  Having Christmas on Sunday made everything extra special.  After gathering with extended family once more (for dinner) and watching a new church movie called "Winter Thaw", we concluded our wonderful Christmas day.