Christmas

We got company this year!  

We had people to watch out our window for!

We had people to play with, 

and cook for,

and visit.

Grandma and Grandpa came over the river and through the woods,

Justin and Jesse dragged in after finals,

and Ty, Michelle, Afton, and Eliza got to 

come for a bit by default.  

Hooray for cancelled flights!

Santa got us just what we wanted, 

but never knew that we did.

 

But even better were the family gifts.

You were supposed to make the gift for the person you drew, 

but if you felt it needed

 'a little something extra' 

you could add to it

(since we are not even remotely related to Martha.)

Here is Calder's gift from Bert.

His homemade was 'the gift of tongues' 

-donated by a local bovine.

Bert wisely added 'a little something extra'

and bought some language tapes to go with it.

We got to visit with the greatest missionary in all Asia!

We did some old traditions,

some new, 

and ate a lot 

(hoping that covers this picture -I don't have my glasses on to see just exactly what we're doing.)

We relaxed.

We went over to Bert's work to celebrate his birthday.

I will never forget the family night before Christmas where his lesson

reminded us all to remember "The Big Three" at this special time of year.

1.  Jesus' birth

2.  Joseph Smith's birth

and 

3.  Our families very own miracle baby - Bert

Good times.

Our service to our families miracle baby-

who happened to be crippled at the time-

after being trampled by a bull.

Probably for being so sacrilegious.

We tried out new toys.

We picked our last batch of nuts.
(Hahahahahaha.... oh Jesse - NO, I did not plan the hidden easter egg in this photo -
now you've kinda ruined it for me forever. :) )

And then we collapsed.

But what a peaceful sleep.