Christmas Highlights - 1

Christmas seems so long ago and yet our memories are so fresh. Several have asked about our trip so without clubbing you over the head with all the details, I'll share a bit of our Christmas Eve, which was spent at Jeff and Caroline's. After attending Christmas Eve services, we met there for dinner. It was an eclectic menu of family favorites. J&C set up their kitchen and dining room tables end-to-end so everyone could sit together. It was too good to be true!

Our grandchildren. We're still in the stage where there is someone crying in the photo. Poor little Maeve!


Two of our traditions have been to read "The Diary" and for the kids to get Christmas pj's. Jeff was certain the the reading of "The Diary" would take place this year when he pulled out his copy. (Several years ago, I made copies of the journal and related photos and bound it as Christmas gifts for our sons. Now they have their own copy!) You see, "The Diary" is Rich's DAILY journal of our sabbatical trip taken in 1975-76. Every Christmas Eve we would read segments from it and remember that time together. Usually Rich is the reader, with me throwing in my usual comments about dates and places but this year several took turns reading. Also, for the first time, we read about what we did on the dates of Caroline, Esther, and Renee's birthdays.




Cole models his cozy pj's!


The girls received various mix and match patterns. All very cute!



Caroline has been the initiator of this tradition and this year Jeff surprised her with her own! Oh how she enjoys Coca Cola!



Jeff & Caroline.


Jeremy & Renee.


Brett & Esther.


Papa and Cole.


Grandma and the Girls.


We are blessed - and happy!