MERRY CHRISTMAS

Our family gift...a new addition...
His name is Buddy.









We went to celebrate with Josh today, and he opened his presents...




He got the gift he wanted!

Justin is our hero of the day!
I cleaned out some of the ashes from our woodstove this morning and put them into a plastic bucket. (Ok, I know, but I didn't think they were hot anymore!) I stuck the bucket outside and went back in to finish getting the fire going again. While I was working on that, Justin headed outside to put some outgoing letters into the mailbox. The bucket had flames coming from it! Justin (thinking very quickly) dumped it into the snow and ran back in shouting "the bucket is on fire!" I went back out with him and buried the ashes in the snow. I don't know if there were actually flames coming from it, but the bucket was right next to the house, and things could have gotten much worse, I'm sure. God is good! I'm so glad Justin went out there!

Later this morning the kids were all playing chess together...








Sydney's "strategy" :o)








Emily has been doing a great job of potty training, so Daddy stopped and got her a crown with earrings and a rose to let her know how proud he is of his little princess. Isn't he a great Daddy!





Sydney has been standing on her own (without holding on), but hasn't quite gotten enough confidence to take a step yet.