it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

welcome.......

we are getting into the spirit of christmas

here in the house that grandpa built...

come inside and have a look......

dad, mom, nicole, margo, ben, sab and gabi's

christmas stockings....

waiting in anticipation for......gifts and sweets, chocolate, nuts and other goodies to tumble out of the top christmas morning.......

the portraits have been given a halo of evergreen boughs.....

the fresh scent of pine wafts through the house

now, that's the stuff of childhood memories, the scents of christmas.....

tartan, cranberries, candles and mini trees

decorate the dining room table.....

in a sunny windowsill, amaryllis bulbs begin to sprout....

we get them each year and each year we are always hopeful that they will they be in bloom 

for christmas day...

our little zulu nativity 

 feels a bit out of place amongst the evergreens.....

it's ryla's birthday!!

         ryan & lila

happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...

happy birthday dear ryla...

happy birthday to you !!

it is wonderful to be four!!!!

and to be the cutest nephew and niece around......

we gave the two of them these fantastic fun
 mr. and mrs. food face plates!

how much would you have loved having a

food face plate 

when you were little!!!

we just got home from gabrielle's....

 mesa elementary

m&m's choir

 holiday concert

up on the housetop,

reindeer paws,

out jumps good ole santa claus....

gabi is also part of the established

handbell choir 

at school......

what a beautiful recital to listen to.....

thank you gabrielle, 

what a fun night we had watching you.

we are so glad you love music 

and singing so very much. 

it will bring endless joy to your life.

.....and to all a good night