Merry Christmas 2020!

 Merry Christmas!

How blessed to be able to spend a day together, our family of five at home, 

celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

Caeden was chosen to open the first gift. His sisters have been talking about the gift they got him, and quite honestly, he has been worried and wondering!

He was pleasantly surprised and found it very funny that they bought him...

 ...a very soft and fuzzy tortilla blanket!

Sylvia was thrilled that Annah gave her a fingernail drying light!

Annah got her dad some of his workout drink mixes.

I gave him Crocs of his own so he doesn't have to wear mine when he wants to throw on some shoes to run outside! Sylvia gave him "The Man, The Myth, The Legend" slippers!

Sylvia received some items for her future dorm room and college life.  She was confused about receiving a tool kit and so excited to receive a vacuum cleaner!

some of the aftermath

Jeremy and I roasted a 20-pound turkey, and it turned out fantastic! We all were stuffed.

We spent the afternoon relaxing, Annah with her new FRIENDS puzzle.

We also played Jeremy's new game...

...Poetry for Neanderthals: a word game where u must speak good or get hit with stick!  

It's very fun and funny!

I know we probably won't have many more years with the 5 of us at home for the holidays, and this year has definitely shown us that nothing in life is guaranteed. So I am extra thankful for this beautiful day with my favorite people. So much love. Thank you, Lord. 

Welcome, Jesus.

A Proposal

Ryan proposed to Annah today.

They went for a walk in her Krampa and Gram's backyard, and he happened upon what he thought was the prettiest spot.  It happened to be the spot she had called her "special secret place" when she was a little girl.  She had spent hours playing there when there was a willow tree and a special log Krampa had placed for her to sit on. 

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When they came up to the house, we were all there to greet them, including Ryan's mom Joyce and sisters Ashley and Allison.

Gram and Krampa hosted everyone for a lovely cookout to celebrate.

Uncle Travis took us for a ride around the back of the farm in the truck.

These guys look right at home. 

Ryan caught a little bass.

We pray God will bless this couple over their engagement 

and grow them closer to Him and each other in love always.

Christmas Day

We had a very relaxed Christmas Day.  

Well, some of us were more relaxed than others...

I was up around 6:30 because I am old and apparently cannot stay asleep past 4am.  I got the wassail going and everyone was up and around by 8:30.  Jeremy read the Christmas story from Luke 2.  When I consider the real gift of Christmas that Jesus is, it makes every other gift seem so pointless.  Maybe I am getting old or even cynical, but this year I just feel kind of annoyed at the extra "hype" about Christmas and presents that really has nothing to do with Jesus. 

We had a few gifts to open, but not a lot this year.  We reminded the kids many times that our biggest material gifts this year are having heat and hot water in our home. We are all grateful that our needs are met and we have so much beyond our needs as well.

Sylvia thought this stack of new kitchen cups looked like a carrot when it was wrapped!

Annah gave such thoughtful gifts--like these socks for Caeden.

Jeremy and Caeden played a little more Fortnite together.

We broiled some wonderful steaks and also enjoyed some Beef House rolls. Sylvia was excited about the steak.  Caeden and Annah were excited about the rolls.

Ryan came over this evening so he and Annah exchanged gifts.  

We enjoyed relaxing at home together for the whole day, which honestly is something we rarely ever get to do anymore.  It is a blessing and fills my heart.

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

We left home just after 10am yesterday on the drive to Indiana.  This was about 2 hours in.

Always our trusty driver, heading through Wabash...

When we arrived, Sylvia baked about 4 dozen of her awesome mini pumpkin pies!  She has made them 4 times in the last month now.

Caeden and Annah plunking around on the piano and singing

Today, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Lopshire's for Thanksgiving lunch!

Grandma went all out with turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken and noodles, homemade rolls, sweet potatoes, homemade dressing, and four pies!

It was so good!  And we were so stuffed!

But not too full for pie!

We played a few rounds of UNO.

It was just so good to be together!

From there, we carried on our Thanksgiving Evening tradition of desserts and games at Uncle Eric and Aunt Marti's house!

For the past few years, we have shared funny videos.  A couple years ago it was the Neature Walk videos. Last year it was Pronouncing Things Incorrectly videos.  This year: Scott Sterling.

We learned how to play Mexican Train Dominoes.

It was a lovely and happy Thanksgiving!  We are grateful for our family!