Christmas cookies

The ball of dough by the train cookie was Paul's doing. He kept trying to put random dough pieces on the cookie sheet. He understands it's not the shape of the cookie--it's the taste that matters!

It's just as much fun under the table!

Playing outside

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Okay, not really, but Jonathan's dad did decorate our bushes and trees with lights while he was here. It's a little hard to make out, but those who have visited us will get the general idea.

Our Christmas tree

Grandma and Grandpa came for a quick visit last weekend. They were able to see Benjamin in the children's Christmas program at church. We also exchanged gifts, and chose and decorated our Christmas tree.

Paul doing his part at the tree farm.

Helping Daddy cut down the tree.

Paul found a little corner, just his size. The boys really got into decorating the tree this year. Needless to say, we had several ornament-heavy branches.

Thanksgiving in New Jersey

We spent our Thanksgiving with Aunt Mary and Uncle Ken. We celebrated a little of Christmas, too, and exchanged gifts. The boys kept busy playing with their new toys, going to the park, and playing outside--it was so nice and warm for the end of November! The older boys kept busy by doing "projects in the basement," as Benjamin likes to call it. Aunt Mary kept busy keeping out stomachs continually full! I enjoyed a break from cooking!

Our dessert after the Thanksgiving meal

Decorating a gingerbread house

Finished product

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Monday

This is our garden flag hanging outside right now. So true.

We spent about 4 hours raking the front yard yesterday. This is the leaf pile we hauled into the woods. It looks much more impressive in person. You could seriously lose a group of small children in the pile. The boys got a great work out climbing in and out repeatedly.

Where's Benjamin? He really is in the leaf pile somewhere.