Christmas

One of three tables ready and waiting--tablecloth from the Basque Country.

A change from Monday Night dinner--Sam's family rented a whole theatre room for a limited number to watch "A Christmas Story". Later, the boys opened an early present, slingshots. The photo caption: "Hope they don't shoot their eyes out!" was a perfect follow-up.

Rebecca "helped" me Tuesday while her mom was at the library. We did a variety of activities, including painting rocks.  Any favorites? Which ones are Rebecca's? You may have to enlarge the photo to get the full effect of the bottom row.

However, her greatest accomplishment was to learn to play Splendor--the game that always sits at one end of our table ready for the nightly spousal contest. Surely she is not old enough, nevertheless smart enough!

Still had last minute shopping to do Wednesday, after another brief visit with consuegra Debby. One stop was nearby to this delightful folk singer, Mrs. Kate. Her grandkids dragged out all the totes and cases full of her merchandise and helped me choose CDs and finger puppets for each of the grandkids. Then they performed a couple of songs.

Thursday Diane joined us for Stephan and Karen's annual Christmas Eve brunch. The group was smaller, but as always we enjoyed food, fun and fellowship. 

Thank you, Stephan and Karen!

Christmas Day was spent with Diane who stayed here through Sunday.

In the afternoon, Michael went with his hiking buddy to the Rangeline Nature Preserve in Anderson and covered 3 1/2 miles of trail at the expert and intermediate levels.

Meanwhile, back at the homestead, Diane and I were pleasantly surprised by a group of carolers and a plate of cookies--our neighbors, the Vosses, had walked over through the woods to surprise us!

Saturday was our ALL family gathering. For this year, that was our Christmas miracle. We hadn't been ALL together since Thanksgiving of 2018. The Krazy Kochs photo was my favorite! Notice our newest family member's pose.

We so enjoyed remembering the story of Jesus' birth as read by Kayla and Rebecca, and then visualized for us by the new little family, Skye, Destiny and Kalani.

When Diane asked the meaning of inn keeper, Michael was reminded of an early play on words. In response to a reading in first or second grade, he drew a house-of-sorts with a tree next to it and the name was "Come Inn."

I am reminded of the song:

Into my heart, into my heart,

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Come in today, come in to stay,

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Sadly, when God came in the flesh to dwell with us, he was not welcomed, "He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him." (John 1:11)

May our world today welcome Emanuel (=God with us), the promised one who was and  is "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)