Holiday highlights

The last couple weeks have been full ones, filled with the excitement of seeing a lot of different loved ones:

Dec 22 - As the snow continued, so did the outside fun. I know we'll look back on these photos in disbelief of how deep our house and street were covered.

Daddy Drew gives Tigist and Sydney a sled ride

Dec 24 - The Merritts claimed Christmas Eve day, which we celebrated at my parents' home with lasagna and ham. We made the mistake of starting presents a little too close to Syd's naptime, which prompted her to wail at the unwrapping of her first gift: "Put it away, put it away!" Aaaand we did the same to her. So she napped while the family played cards until our candlelight church service, always a meaningful time.

I will say that in light of the Christmas story, this has been a humbling time of year to be 8 1/2 months pregnant. I definitely identify more with Mary than I ever have before: riding on a donkey in this state?...whew. And to focus on the birth of the Christ child while at the same time caressing my own swollen belly gives a different, heightened sense of reality of that holy time as well as anticipation of our own little one soon coming. A unique perspective on the season that I may never again experience.

A glimpse of our church service

Continuing a Christmas Eve tradition: opening one present (always pajamas). Sydney adores her new piggy pj's!

Dec 25 - Several factors combined to make Christmas Day different than we thought, but unexpectedly fun just the same. Just after the three of us opened stockings in the morning, we were surprised by a ring of the doorbell to see our favorite Reitmeier clan for a visit on their way out to Sisters. Then the weather postponed Drew's parents' planned trip down from Washington, but one by one, my family's work schedules were changed so most of them ended up eating enchiladas at our house and playing cards again. Resulted in a very relaxed, pressure-free holiday!

Sharing some corn on the cob with Oma

Reading the Christmas story and reenacting Mary's surprised face at the angel's news

Dec 26 - Drew's parents made the drive safely and we had another round of opening gifts! We got to enjoy the weekend with them - Sydney loooves to see her Grannie and Granddad. The next time won't be far off, just til the baby comes...

Enjoying an annual gift: a photo album of Sydney throughout the year

Dec 27 - I enjoyed a coffee reunion with several of my classmates from high school - fun to catch up with some I don't get to see very often! And Doug and Lis stayed with Syd while Drew and I took in a movie to get out and celebrate 10 years together. =)

Dec 30 - We headed over to the Brownlees' house and got to spend some time with Forrest, Amy and Ephraim, who were down from Seattle. "Safecracker" and "Loaded Questions" make for some good group gaming, man.

Ephraim, Grace and Sydney all playing on one infant toy

Dec 31 - Lisa and Timmy joined us for our very tame ringing in of the new year (can you say sparkling cider and in bed before midnight?...yeah, we're old and tired already). Since they live in New York, we see them on average of twice a year, so it was SO good to hang out for a couple days and watch them renew their love affair with Sydney.

Don't they look like a little family? =)

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Hope you all had as full and happy holiday season as the Colemans did!