Grandpa's Train

When Grandma sold her house, the Christmas train set that Grandpa Tom brought home many years ago made the trip to Minnesota.  Dad and the kids set it up one night under the tree.  We always miss him at the holidays, but this made a fun part of him still feel present. 

Christmas Baking

I made a promise to focus more on presence than presents this year at Christmas.  The first task was trying our hands at some real Christmas baking. Here's a shot of the action. 

 If I'm honest the baking was really fun - but the cookies were not great.  Next year!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Weird pictures, great night. 

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St. Nick

Just went up to make sure the kids were asleep, and found all the kids in Seamus's bed. They'd created a blanket fort - which Seamus called theater seating. He had borrowed a Christmas book from Amazon and was reading The Night Before Christmas on his kindle to the kids.

So sweet I almost died. We are so lucky. Just setting out the St. Nick's treats...

Jeff and MJ Part 2

See also MJ and Jeff.

Cabin Retreat

Dad went on the Demantreville retreat for the 5th time last weekend and it once again helped kick off a season of advent that will be more focused on prayer and giving than the trappings of the secular Christmas spirit. We spent a lovely, long weekend the four of you and me, beginning with pancakes at home, hookey from school Kerrie's YPC play, McDonald's playground in St. Cloud and then rest and relaxation at the lake. 

You all rose to the occasion being helpful and sunshiny. I love this precious time. I love that you treasure it too. A glimpse from the weekend...