Our family Christmas...hosted by Marti and Steve this year!


The pre-dinner feeding frenzy begins as soon as appetizers and sweets are set on the table. Makenna is modeling this activity for us. (She just happens to be the one caught on camera. But you can bet the rest of us were willing participants at the tables, too.)





Enjoying each other's company while waiting for dinner.
(Kevin, Deb, Mom, Maynard, Bill)




Makenna and Andrew





Marti, hard at work in her kitchen





Steve, carving the spiral ham. It was soooo tasty!





Is it almost time to eat?





In the kitchen, the popular place to hang out.


And before we eat, we remember the truth of Christmas,


So Steve offers a prayer of thanks.





And for this, we are truly thankful!!! :o)





Mom and Maynard reluctantly (but obediently) go first.





Makenna kickin' back





Bill and Deb relaxing on the steps





Bill and Marti





Waiting for everyone to gather for opening gifts.
(Bill, Maynard, Kevin)




Deb gave Mom and Maynard a gift of her own photography. Her photographs are evidence of a blooming talent! She has "the eye".





Zeke, also waiting for gifts to be exchanged.





After hanging out in the living room and in front of the fireplace, people started moving around again. The men went for their "traditional" walk, then gathered around to talk "men talk"...well, the women were told we couldn't sit at the man table. Sacred ground.




So,while the men were out on their walk, we women gathered on the steps to talk, then decided to take advantage of this photo op.
Mom, Penni, Deb, Marti, Makenna, Lori

The artist at work


Our daughter-in-law, Julie wrote a story for her niece back "home". Julie asked Kevin to illustrate the book for her. It was a great opportunity and welcome challenge for him as he had not had the energy nor inspiration to create in a long time. He accepted her offer and got right to work. You can see he's really involved in his work. Anyway, Julie published her book, "The Great Shoe Exchange" on lulu.com. We're anxiously awaiting the arrival of our copy in the mail.



"O Christmas Tree..."


This is what it looked like Christmas morning....Kevin's and my gifts to each other...but most of them are the gifts the kids mailed to us. We opened them while we were skyping with them. It was a way to be with each of them on Christmas morning.



It's our tradition (Ethan can identify with that) to open stockings on Christmas Eve...and to eat fun foods and enjoy Meier's (that's the best brand) non-alcoholic sparkling drinks.

And of course, Kevin's stocking would not be complete without the Dots candy!

'Tis the season....
Before leaving for church this morning, Kevin is faithful....


...always faithful to make sure the driveway is cleared





We love having family over...

We invited Gene and Suzy (Kevin's sister) over to celebrate Gene's birthday. The bonus is that Amy and Adam were both home, too. So we had a fun evening playing games.



Last week I received a call from a high school classmate with whom I was able to reconnect last year at our class reunion. She and her husband were flying home for Christmas and their flight was coming here. After being delaying in Denver for 2 nights en route, they spent the evening and night in our home. We enjoyed each other's company...was a great time.

Larry and Cindy

Deer in the headlights????


This was the look on my face when I was passed on the interstate by the pickup below...



It totally took me by surprise...

But then...this is Iowa...and it is deer hunting season.
(Look closely. Those are deer legs/cloven hooves sticking up)

BIG ART

Kevin, the art teacher in his elementary building, volunteers his time to design and make the backdrop for the annual Christmas program for the K-5 students.





And he has recently been inspired to do his artwork again. Here he is doing a water color painting. So glad to see him working again for pleasure...it's good for him. He's just not had time, nor inspiration for quite some time; until now.