Christmas Love

(Garrett writing this post...) Can't believe that we are already celebrating Christmas 2023!  We had a great time this year.  First of all, it felt like it took a while to get into the "real" Christmas spirit.  One of the things that helped (and has become a tradition over the last couple of years) was participating in Austin's live nativity.  He had live animals and even a camel.  The boys again had the opportunity to be shepherds.  They each had a donkey that they escorted around the yard.  And Austin asked Christina and me to be Mary and Joseph.  Yes, we may have been about 30 years too old, but it was a sweet experience and truly did bring the spirit of Christmas.  While some people didn't pay much attention to our little manger setting, there were several that took a few minutes and clearly had a special moment pondering on the magnificence of that special night.  Thankfully, Austin had built a couple walls that protected us from the wind because it was a COLD night.  But we are grateful we had the opportunity and eternally grateful for that night over 2000 years ago that we celebrate this time of year.  

It was also great to have my parents in town for the week.  Of course that meant lots of SkyJoe, Yahtzee, Gin and puzzles.  And you may notice a lot of Swig cups...  We may have a problem.  

                                                                                                   

Throwing food out for the reindeer.

Christmas morning brought lots of presents and fun.  We truly are blessed and all of us were spoiled.  

Whenever my mom comes, she always brings some of her famous treats.  This year, she brought her sugar cookie Christmas trees.  The problem is that we downed them all in less than 24 hours.  So luckily she taught Lily how to make them.  Now we can have them year-round!!  

 And you can't have a visit from grandparents without a visit to Handels!