Well, the gifts are all bought, wrapped and hidden and the house is all decorated. All of my cookies have been baked, though I still have to make applesauce for Christmas dinner by popular request and a giant cookie for Doug’s birthday, which happens to fall on Christmas day. We’ll celebrate it on Christmas Eve. I just have some heavy duty cleaning to get done now and Brian and Alyssa need to finish up school. It will be a light two days for them, though Alyssa has already finished first semester and has a couple of exams. Brian is a week behind her because he went hunting a couple of times this fall.

Last night we braved the frigid temperatures and blowing snow to go to the Sunday school Christmas program at church. The kids did a wonderful job. Brian sang with the junior and senior high chorus and took offering. Well done. Alyssa had a Bible verse to say and she said it loudly, clearly and without stumbling. We were proud of her. And even Jonalyn outdid herself. She had to say, “And Mary said…” which she did! She sang the songs with the other kids and even knew some of the words! Plus she sat so nicely during the program, even when she didn’t have anything to do. We were so proud of her! It turned out to be a wonderful night. I’m posting some pictures we took in front of our Christmas tree before the program. Not only did they do a great job, they looked wonderful, too.