Don't get any ideas...

Now don't start thinking that this is a sign that I have started wearing the lipstick in the family.

A new idea.

We have not done a very good job of posting lately, so here is a new idea. Jess wants reasons to practice with our camera, and I like taking random photos. Thus begins the photo-of-the-day portion of this blog.

More than likely this will turn into something more akin to a photo-of-every-3rd-or-4th-day, but at least we are trying.

Today's entrant:

Christmas Delight + New Year's Snow

We have had such a delightful Christmas hanukkah. Beginning with packages in the mail form friends and family to nice long visits with parents and friends from out-of-town. We have had the opportunity to meet new neighbors, celebrate with older friends and come together under the same roof with many Beloved. Through it all we were not the most diligent in remembering our camera. Therefore, the photos are far, few and in between... but for those times in between...

A few days before Christmas some of the little ones came over to decorate cookies and bake muffins with us for the neighbors... it was an all day event and oh my were we ever exhausted! In the end though were smiling faces...


sprinkles that we were picking up on the bottoms of our bare feet for days (read: I'm not he most diligent home-maker)...





and frosting coating the rims of the sink, bridges of the doorways and smeared misterious masterpieces throughout the carpet to add to the beauty.


Christmas Eve we spent playing dominoes with Abuela and her 86 yr. old neighbor who triumphed over anyone in their path to victory. Filled to the brim with chicken, beans, rice and Rosa's delights we headed home to sleep only to wake and find these treasures under our palm tree: a new motorcycle helmet + toasty bathrobe for cold mornings. After our warm breakfast we headed back to the Navarro's for gifts only to make our way back into our home that afternoon for the Ortiz's + fam. to come over and open gifts as well.

Soon after they left, came back and left again Jake and I prepared a feast: spaghetti, fruit salad, green beans from this summer, rotisserie chicken (from Jewel - cornish hens were requested: I laughed at the request), pierogies + sourkraut, cranberry stuffing and a plate of sweets stolen from other neighbors. Together that afternoon into the evening we spent with Eddie at his home, eating, laughing and learning how to be present. Christmas was not without sorrow - our neighbor Nora was punched by her boyfriend over a T.V. and Hilda, who had a period of sobriety, went back to using once again. It was an honor to learn from Eddie on such a holy day how to be present, regardless of time or circumstance.

That evening in 35 degree weather we went for a nice long motorcycle ride and delighted in one another and the gifts we have been given by simply being able to celebrate in the birth of Christ with His most Beloved.

The weekend following my parents came to celebrate the birth of Christ with us by honoring us with many gifts, including Memory (which Jake and I played for far too long this evening). Thanks mom & dad - wish I had a better picture from this weekend to post but you have all the good ones :)

New Years Eve we headed to Indiana to spend the evening and following day with Grandma. With cheese, wine and a late night James Taylor tribute we brought in the new year only to be surprised the next day with over a foot of snow to awake and enchant us with.







Jake & Grandma













Tool shed











Grandma plowing












I've never had so much fun cleaning off a conglomeration of metal in my life.










Sneaking a peak at Grandma.








P.S. Christmas cards are still on the way - I just couldn't bring myself to send them out on time. I couldn't break tradition.