Holiday Festivities

Our December was packed.  Meg and I -- and the kiddos in one way or another -- are still trying to exhale a little slower.

We hosted our first annual Cookie Exchange Party.  This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, so it was great to see it come to fruition.  With nearly 35 people in our 1,600 sq ft house, the energy was nearly palpable.  Tyler and Iver embraced their holiday spirit with festive tops.

While Eric embraced his fatherly instinct and watched over the majority of the younger guests -- mesmerized by A Charlie Brown Christmas video.

Then the twins and I headed south on Amtrak for our annual Family Fun Day.

With a quick return back home -- with Grandma -- to celebrate Christmas.  Some of our Christmas bunch looking, um, festive (?).

The Sparkling Upside-Down Clementine and Blackberry Coffee Cake Crew.

Gailyn and Julie working on final touches in the kitchen.

Followed by a trip to Sunriver -- with sooo much snow.

Taking a pass on snow tubing.

Anders and Jorja descending the snow tubing hill.

 Big smiles at the bottom. 

Meg coming into the home stretch.

Ready for our one (or two) horse sleigh ride.  

Garry, Linda, Meg, and Iver settle into the sleigh.

The scenery was stunning.

Post-ride good-byes to the horses.

And a thank you.

Checking out the ride in Bend.

Jorja greeting the "chickens" in Maupin.  Despite it's small size, this town offers a lot in terms of natural beauty.

Anders petting the "horse".

Meg and the trio of kiddos in Hood River.

Happy New Year!