Our house has been wonderfully full and loud and busy over the Christmas holiday. The last "away" kids have returned to their homes and we are started a new year with gusto today. I finally sat down tonight and gathered up bits and pieces of our time together. 

Alannah baked for us. I made one of the treats.  That would be the Andes Candies Mint Cookies which are a little brown lol. 

We learned how to make Finnish Stars.  

And stockings.  Many stockings. 

There was untold joy when the big brothers and sisters began to arrive.

There was also snow.  A bunch.  

There were a lot of laughs over the grown up activity placemats. You may not get fancy food over here but we can guarantee a good time. 

And board games.  For hours.

Aidan got Bean Boozled. He said it was pretty yuck.

Not gonna lie.  This was not my best year for gift acquisition and organization. Or cards. 

Yeah. 

But, this bunch couldn't be more laid back nor care much less about that part. 

They laughed, they teased, they talked late into the night.  It was good.  So good.  

The new year is already off to a running start.  Projects completed, new ones started.  Planners and lists galore. I love this time of year and can't wait to share. 

I hope you've had a very Merry Christmas and have all the makings of a Happy New Year. 

from our house to yours:

(and since the guys were willing to stand there for about two minutes tops, I took two pics to get the married's below instead of setting up the tripod)