My Favorite Christmas Things

I probably posted these Nativity scenes before, but it is Christmas again, and they are still my favorite decorations. We have a small collection of them beginning with the one below. It was a gift to Jay from one of his customers whom he helped. I have two pop-up Nativity books like the one below.
This one is my favorite because my children created it with my Wasband, Granger, when we lived in the state of Misery (some people call it Missouri). I love the little wooden horse leaning against the back, Kimber's horses in the coral, and Baby Jesus in the manger/basket.

I love making aprons, and this is the latest creation for Jay's daughter, Rachel, who lives in Hawaii. I like how it portrays the erupting mountains and vividly colored flowers.

And then, there is Family! MamaPajama arrived at the airport in Lewiston yesterday after a long day of flying and layover in Seattle before touching down.

She is resting today after such an arduous beginning to our celebration of Christmas this week.

I am so grateful she shares our values for what this holiday means. And I'm grateful for the fact that she is so spry at the age of 87 that she can still travel to share this holiday with us.

Happy Birthday to the Three of Us!

My Kelly (Jellybean) was nearly a birthday present 39 years ago. I went into labor on my 24th birthday and recall vividly the day fraught with excitement that this gift, already 3 weeks late, was finally willing to 'arrive'! I am happily the grandmother of Kelly's 6 children and Kimber's 1 (below) I celebrate today with panache as my husband takes me for lunch at my favorite new place called the Creme. His daughter will fix me dinner of sushi and liliquoy (a Hawaiian fruit) cheesecake out at the ranch.

Actually, today Kelly graduates in the state of Virginia at the head of his class of Chinook Helicopter Mechanics. He's been gone since early July and is suppose to come home tomorrow (his birthday). Circumstances beyond his control today will keep him there, and I lift up prayers for his heath and complete recovery from surgery! I wish I were there to see him graduate like I was in the picture below when he got his GED not too long ago.

And then, Darlin' Alana!

She's a Leap Year Baby, so it's one, two three for us (Feb. 27, 28, 29).

I praise God for her delightful presence in our family!

As this day unfolds, there is snow on the ground, the sun is shining brilliantly, and there are harbingers (I LOVE that word!) of spring everywhere. February ends well and we march forward with joy on our hearts.