Joyeux Noel - many favorites

I have many favorite moments and memories from this Christmas. It's been hard to pick just a couple of pictures.

We played so many games.

Even though we got to see them even longer than I had anticipated, it still was far too short a time. I have resigned myself to the idea that they'll probably never be close. The one thing that makes it easier - knowing my brother is married to his best-friend, someone who will bring out his best and help him grow in grace.

And Miss Abigail enjoyed having another grand-mom too. Mrs. Lynn, you are lovely!

Hannah was well-loved too. 

Abigail felt very special getting to drink out of a goblet.

Enjoying good conversation...

 A very tired little girl... Papa and Mimi were tired too because the girls slept on the floor in their room :)

My littlest blessing and my wonderful mom.

Tabitha loved Camus. She lit up whenever he was in the room.

Joyeux Noel - part deux

Joyeux Noel - in color :)

 Christmas this year was a blending of traditions and cultures, creating a stronger and more loving family. Helen and Daniel flew over from England, along with her parents and two brothers, to celebrate Christmas and the blessing of family. We ushered a new life into the world right before Helen and Daniel were joined in love and marriage, so we missed meeting her family this summer in France. Now having met and come to love her family, I love Helen even more than I did. Her family is so lovely and kind. I appreciate their love for beauty and family. On Christmas year this year we played charades and sang Christmas carols. We also enjoyed mince pies, eggnog and English Christmas cake which were fun additions to our own traditions.

Abigail making mince pies with Lynn

 Abigail fell and split her lip on Christmas Eve. No holiday pictures would be complete without some sort of injury :)

Tom making everyone delicious eggnog

 Baking cookies with Mimi

 Christmas morning!

Reading the last Jesse tree devotion.

I am so blessed to have such a lovely sister!

I'm also thankful that my grandparents were willing to drive over for the day to see us, braving the snow and cold.

Yummy traditional English Christmas Cake

 ...here she looks like a redhead. Hmm, I wonder who she gets it from?

Christmas part one :)

My grandparents graciously give gifts AND mailed them to the house, which made for less gifts we had to transport back in our minivan. The girls also got to open gifts in stages, so they enjoyed their gifts more. I also hoped it help them truly be "thankful". Christmas is such a sweet time, but we're finding that it's so easy for the day to just be about "stuff" and not about Christ.

Here's our little tree with all of the Jesse tree ornaments :) And don't you love the homemade wreath placed on top by our eldest. That's what happens when you have a teeny tiny artificial tree. Maybe we'll chop a real one down next year. This year was all about simplicity.

Reading with daddy.

Tabitha's big sisters were delighted to help her open gifts.

Jumping for Joy!

"More books I can chew on!"

 "I love my new doll!"

 ...both girls very excited about a doll house :) Lots of sharing in their future :)