The Whole Christmas Experience!

We truly had a lovely Christmas, filled with family and friends, lots of hubbub and activities. We did 2-4 dishwasher loads a day, almost every day, yet things were not too crazy. Tomorrow I've just GOT to take down the Christmas tree! Tomorrow is already January 4th, daddy's 87th birthday! Happy birthday, daddy.

December 17th was graduation for Fall term at Biola and I was so happy to go see Eunice Shin graduate! She and I were conversation partners when she first came 5 years ago. Her mom came over from Korea, and it was nice to meet her.

Also on the 17th our Nursing Department had a Christmas brunch at Mimi's that was very nice. These are just about all of my co-workers. It's a great group!

Erin and Jim arrived at about 2:00 in the morning, December 20th, after a long drive, and at noon that same day I had Anni and Natalie come over to see Erin and the family and also to taste some SCD food that I wanted to make and take pictures of. It was a good lunch! Above - Raspberry Custard; below, Salmon Skewers with homemade pesto. Erin really liked the custard.

Gretchen and Anders came over the next day to see Erin and for the boys to play. Here they're eating Mac n' Cheese. Nothin' like it!

I was trying to figure out what to make for Christmas day dessert and David thought of custard! We love custard! These, with a big squirt of whipped cream, were just the thing!

Actually I should be doing Christmas Eve right now, but it's further down. We'll skip to Christmas Day.

John Jensen, Chris's dad, joined us this year, and it was very nice to have him!

The train was a hit, and these dried fruit bonbon balls, rolled in cinnamon were pretty good too... maybe not quite sweet enough though. Now I realize the recipe said to "dust" them with cinnamon, not roll them in it... they kind of look like meatballs, but make a good little snack.

Grandma and Grandpa came up at around 3:00 to hang out and share soup, etc. with us. It was nice to just have time to chit chat. We're all excited about the book being done!

Putting Wyatt in the middle of the table was a perfect way to keep him corralled and also to enjoy him. He took his first steps while he was here, and Erin reports that he was walking maybe 10 steps at a time in their hotel room on the way home.

And now, back to Christmas Eve, where we had a lovely dinner and evening at Mom and Dad's house.

Gretchen and Kirk brought a "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake which was very pretty and tasty. She also had the idea of getting the kids dressed up as shepherds, which was a big hit! Maybe we can expand on it next year with the little poems of old, written by Luanne. We'll see if they cooperate!

Gretchen and Chris...

Me... in Auntie Bell's glass or crystal beads, which I love.

 David, Jim and Wyatt...

Gretchen and Kirk, getting ready to light the cake candles...

Erin and the boys, ready to blow out the candles...

 When Heather said "He's heavy, I think I'll switch sides," Wyatt said "switch sides" and really surprised Heather. He is very verbal and knows what things mean.

 

This carrot cake introduces the Cox Christmas, which we were in charge of this year, on the 27th. We held it at Granada, in Joy Hall, and it was a very nice time. The room had been totally decorated with wreaths, garlands and lights by groups at church, so it was quite nice.

On the way home from Cox Christmas, it was fun to pass some houses with lights in Friendly Hills.

New Year's Eve was fun! We had John and Verna Gruendyke over to share steaks, sauteed mushrooms and onions, baked potatoes and the works. They're great long time friends and we very often share New Year's Eve with them. They love to catch up with Erin and Jim, too.

New Year's morning means doughnuts! And cousin Anders... It was so great that the Jensen's came over for the day and Chris spent lots of that day setting up my Wii Fit! Thank you! My muscles thank you too!

Special grandpa time was sweet for everyone...

Here you see Chris and Gretchen working on my setup! Thanks, you guys!

Of course it wouldn't be New Year's Day without the parade, a cup of tea and stuff on the table. Below you see Mimi's Spinach and Artichoke Dip, which is really more about cheese than anything, and is really, really good. It's also SCD legal if you use legal mayo and substitute more mayo for the 1/2 cup of Alfredo Sauce. It says it serves four but it really serves lots more! Yum.

Well, Happy New Year to you and yours. May the Lord bless you and may you feel his nearness.