Buon Natale!

Christmas morning arrived at a reasonable hour in our household, for once.
In spite of hearing the kids up at the crack of dawn, they thankfully had enough sense to let mom and dad sleep in a little. I may have mentioned to them the night before that children who disturbed me would be getting coal in lieu of presents, and who knows...maybe they didn't want to test me?
  

In the afternoon we headed over to my parents place for a late lunch with the rest of my 9 siblings and their kids, plus some in- laws and their families.
There were tons of kids and tons of food.

It was so much fun getting these three little girls together again.

Cousin Alaia

Mikayla

Cousin Myah lives in Idaho so the girls don't get to hang out that often.

Mikayla wasn't quite sure what to make of cousin Myah's penchant for ear pulling though.

Or cousin Alaia's hair-do.

None the less, the girls did manage to have a great time... sharing, screaming, and just being way too cute together.

We made an attempt to get everyone together for a family picture.

One, two, three c h e e e s e....

and we were on our way.

It was so amazing to finally meet my sister Emily's new baby.

David Keith is every bit as cute in person!

Some babies were made just for kissing.

We spent the day eating, playing games, and talking: some of us more than others.

Me, my super cute sister Faith, and her okay husband.

Grandma and Luca

My more-than-okay husband.

The kids had so much fun playing outside all day.

 Gabe

Judah Biruk

 Kidus saw the other kids racing so off he went!

I LOVE the smile!

Unfortunately though, he didn't get more than a couple of yards before he bit the dust.
I think the hockey stick tripped him up, but you couldn't pry his new Christmas present away from him.

 Couple of hugs and kisses later and he was on his way once more.

 A beautiful day spent with loved ones...a Christmas to treasure!

Peace

 The kids are in bed, finally quiet.

The turkey is in the oven, slowly roasting overnight.

The bread is chopped, seasoned, and setting out to dry on the counter for the dressing tommorow.

The presents are finally all wrapped and under the tree thanks to my sweet husband's help.

It's been a busy day, of a busy month, of a busy year.

I'm tired, and most likely tonight will be way too short, in spite of my dire warnings to the kids for the hapless soul who dares to wake me before I'm ready, presents be hanged!

I think back to last year this time.

We were impatiently waiting for a second court date, thinking and longing with all our hearts for two little boys in an orphanage in Ethiopia.

Thank you, Jesus, they are here now; and in the morning we will celebrate their first Christmas together.

Thank you that there are two more stockings to stuff, two more faces to watch with delight.

And thank you, most of all, for coming as a helpless baby, for putting yourself at man's mercy, for suffering so that we can live freely and with joy!

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Winter's Day

With all the great weather we've had recently we've been spending most of our days outdoors. I love taking the camera and just shooting random shots,  trying to capture the colors and the feeling of living in a 70* environment. I'm no expert by any means of the word, don't even try to be because that would mean I'd actually have to sit down and read the camera's manual. Picasa is so much easier!

Although, every once in a while, I do stop to contemplate how much nicer my pictures would undoubtedly be were I to purchase a new Nikon.

You know, the one that's on sale in Costco right now?
Honey?

This is Scott.

He's been part of our family for a long time now and there's never a dull moment when he's around...he loves to make people laugh and he has plenty of audience around here!

 Cutest face ever!

The kids live outdoors...eating, kicking balls, making forts, and... rowing boats?

Some of the boys recently purchased air-soft guns.
Can you tell?

The tangerines are almost ready to eat. I've been waiting all year!

 

 These would be dried figs.

 I love the yellow of the fig leaves against the green of the tangerine leaves.

And this would be an ornamental lemon; pretty, but inedible.

I'll end my post with some pictures of the Bravest Little Tomato plant in the West.

Not only has it survived parched conditions, lack of fertilization of any kind, harsh sun, cold nights, and excessive pruning at the hands of a three year old, it's made a daring comeback and more; it's now bearing fruit.

That, my friends, is the true definition of perseverance!

Maybe one of these days, I'll actually get around to re-potting it.

Blessings

Tree?

 

Check!

I know, I know...it's a little crooked, as usual, but...

You got a problem with that?

St. Nick ('cause we don't "do" Santa)  hat?

Check!

Decorations?

Check!

Helpers?

 Uh...Check!

My Christmas Presents?
 

Check!

and Check!

and Check!

 and Check!

and Check

and Check!

and Check! 

and Check!

and...

DOUBLE CHECK!!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for these loved ones!

But most of all, thank you for the most precious gift of all: your Son!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6