Christmas 2013.

Wow, are we blessed.  

We had such a wonderful, mellow, cold, white Christmas this year.  Just the right amount of family, friends, and cozy time together at home.  A really good blend of Jesus and Santa ;)   Far too many presents for one family.  We simply got spoiled rotten with some of the most thoughtful, wonderful gifts.  We even got to see lots of family on Skype, which is always just incredible that it is even possible and made my day even more special.

And on top of that we got visits from three different sets of friends that we don't see very often.  And honestly, living out here in the sticks, a visitor is one of the best gifts of all.   

Other little snippet highlights:

:: Ever opening presents.  Beyond rewarding this year.  Drama in a new direction than usual :)

:: Tell and all the grandkids in their cowboy hats and handkerchiefs

:: Ever pointing out "Jesus' star!!" to everyone when she spotted the brightest one out the window

:: Church. Whiny, restless kids and all :)  The church full of candles and everyone singing Silent Night always feels sacred.

:: "Mama you better get to bed because Santa will be here soon and he won't stop if you aren't asleep!!!"

:: Seeing Ever, literally, dart across the kitchen to get to her stocking at 5:30 a.m.
:: Christmas Day Yahtzee with Grama & Grampa.  Bry had never even heard of Yahtzee before and somehow has rolled a yahtzee everytime we've plaid. Seriously?

:: Family.  Near, far, here, and gone... 

It's easy to get wrapped up in the "what's" of Christmas.  What we're giving, what we're getting, what we're eating, what we're decorating with.  Our society is all about the what's and it never stops.  Somebody always has something better or prettier or bigger.  And they always will.  

But I do know this, if it all disappeared, if all we got for Christmas was a day with these incredible little people we get to call our children?  Next to salvation, we would have the greatest gift on Earth.  

:: Cozy little bundle back from some ~cold~ fresh air ::

:: Grama keeping a close eye on Isla. Isla keeping a close eye on Hayden & Rowan's monster trucks::

:: Merry Christmas Bmen -- he had fun checking his traps with Chuck & Randy on Christmas Eve ::

:: My snow girl.  She loves it. ::

:: Piper & Isla all dolled up for Jesus' birthday party ::

:: Ever couldn't wait to open her gold present under Grama & Grampa's tree - a nutcracker snowglobe ::

:: Isla with her outlaw Papa & his new-to-him .22 ::

:: It was a cowboy Christmas in Gakona this year -- guns, horses, and cowboy hats. ::

:: Big brother looking a little mischievous. ::

:: dollface ::

:: Tell's new favorite toy.  Everything is getting "chainsaw-ed" .... watch out. ::

:: Happy boy with his new planes from his Rother Aunts & Uncles ::

:: "I think Uncle Josh is Santa because he knew exactly what I wanted!"  ::

:: Grampa snapped this pic of me and Isla bird on Christmas ... I am one lucky girl. ::