random catch-up (not ketchup) pictures

Micah at his classroom Christmas party


Jonah on Santa's lap, at Clint's work party. Looks like Santa is telling him a thing or two. Uh-oh. (Luckily, he delivered nicely on Christmas. Guess his last-minute lecture worked! ;) )


Micah taking his turn.
And Autumn, on the "not-real-Santa," as she described him. We don't actually do Santa in our house. This is because of Jonah's first church Christmas party, when he was about 3 years old. After he had sat on Santa's lap (not for the first time ever, but probably the first time he was aware of) and had his fill of Christmas crafts and goodies, we were walking out of our church building. He paused to look at a painting of Jesus in the foyer. Then he said, "Now I know that Jesus isn't real." I asked what he meant, and he said that he knew Santa was real because he had just seen him. But since he'd never seen Jesus, he couldn't be real. I know everyone meant well with the party they'd worked so hard to throw, but I have to admit I did not feel much gratitude for it right then. We realized he was probably too young to understand much talk about real vs. fiction then. But we have never hyped up Santa Claus, or tried to use him as a way of coaxing our children to behave well. When they ask, we tell them the truth (Daddy is Santa). Clint jingles bells after filling stockings, the kids set a plate of milk and cookies out for him, and several presents are signed, "From Santa". But we also do our best to make sure our children know, all year round, of our testimonies of the living Savior & the blessing He is in all of our lives. Moving on....

Gabe refused to sit in some fat, hairy guy's lap, but did take the gift...

then fired off his best "I don't trust you!" look, once the goods were securely in hand.


This year, a few people in our small town organized a live nativity. The city owns an old barn, which is leased to our neighbor. He raises farm animals there, even though he is confined to a wheelchair. It gives him a feeling of independence, as well as offering him the chance to raise the animals he did before moving from their family farm. Anyhow, Clint had the opportunity to volunteer and dress as a shepherd on two of the four nights it ran. The lighting was low, so this was the best my camera would do (he's the shepherd standing, on the left side). It was a beautiful experience to go. You can't see the donkey in the background, but it just stood there peacefully every night. They also had a little petting area set up, a camel, hay rides, and hot chocolate. The children and i enjoyed our trip one night. Admission was a can of food, which was collected and then given to the local food pantry.


Micah & Autumn entertaining themselves during the Christmas break

The kids' re-enactment of the Nativity at our church's Christmas dinner.