Christmas with Some of Us

We didn't get to have Emily and Rory, or Pete and Candace, or Sam home for Christmas. So the rest of us decided to have it anyway. We think of the rest of you often.

Targhee with the Sluders. Jack, Laura, Kelly, Tammy, Jann.

We spent Christmas Eve with the Grandparents.

Grandpa told us the story of a little dude that wanted a rifle for Christmas, but his dad decided to spend the money helping out a poor family instead. It was cute.

Nativity scene. Joseph/Jack, Mary/Brooklyn, fake girlie Jesus, and beast of burden/Brian.

Brooklyn showing the boys how it's done.

When we left home to go to the grandparents, there was no snow in Rexburg. While we were there, it started to snow. It took us 2 hours to get back home because of all the snow. This is what it looked like next morning. Whiteness after all.

Only three kids home for Christmas!

Jann appreciating some of her gifts.

Then we got to Skype Sam. He sounds like he's doing just fine.

Here he is bearing his testimony to us all.

Mom's Vanilla

Jann is giving her homemade vanilla extract as Christmas presents this year. Here are a couple bottles. She made 15.

Thanksgiving and After

We had Pete and Candace and Laura up for Thanksgiving, but Jann went to Kansas to be with Emily when she had her new baby. Pictures of the baby are on their blog.

Thanksgiving without Mom. Full of joy and sadness and sweet pickles.

Adam says "I'll play any game but 5 Crowns."

That Saturday, we flew the goose-necked JW, but even though there was massive wind, it didn't fly too well. I think it's weird aerodynamics from the ax handle sticking out too far.

Brooklyn and the grandparents joined us in the annual tree hunt.

I think last time I took the bar off the chain saw, I installed it upside down.

Jann thinking seriously about what we just did.

Adam lending his strong arm.

Ok, we've done this before, so it should be doable.

Grandma trying to stuff snow down Jack's back.

Hot cocoa afterwards.