Designer Tree

With lots of patience and lighthearted fun, these two designed the tree perfectly: 

Vanessa: "It's perfect."

Yes, my daughter is wearing a spring dress. Her choice.

Yes Vanessa . . .

 . . . there is a Santa Claus . . .



This is the very moment she's been anticipating for the last few weeks. She's rehearsed with me what she would say and do: "I will say it's a pleasure to meet you. Then I'll ask for my Dora house." When it came her turn she got very excited. Once on his lap she smiled, cleared her throat and was ready to talk. Then he talked, in a deep voice . . . and Vanessa covered her ears. But with a little encouragement, she made her request and then ended the visit on a good note . . .

And Zane didn't need to visit with Santa -- he knows his ever so cute toothless grin puts him at #1 on Santa's list.

And Vanessa doesn't mind . . .

                                                           

Christmas Elf

Vanessa dutifully helped with Christmas cards this year.

 She even placed stamps. She loves the post office.

Tree of Glee

It was rather cold the other evening when we went to pick out our Christmas tree. But we were also the only people there, making us feel we could walk around and really inspect the entire selection without fear someone else was going to snatch up the first one we noticed to be a perfect fit. And Vanessa enjoyed the "tree store" extra much because it was fun to run around and hide. She'd just run by every so often, assuring us that she was fine.

The day was much colder, cloudier and windier than when we picked Vanessa's first tree. Zane was very excited that we chose our tree fast and got home to where it was warm.

We've been pulling out decorations slowly -- a few a day. On one of the first days, we got out this stand of three small, lighted trees. It has gone on the porch in the past and probably will again this year. We're very careful not to speak of our plans loudly, so Vanessa doesn't getting any false hope or unnecessary disappointment because she's still figuring out what planning is compared to a final plan, and she can obsess over things. So when we got out this stand of trees, she thought it was our Christmas tree for the season. She decorated it with "lanterns" and was quick to show me the perfect job she did. She's been easy to please with the smallest and fewest decorations and has been extra surprised as we pull out more. She decorated another small tree too, and it will probably end up in her bedroom.

Wait till we pull out the tub of ornaments to hang on the "really beautiful tree" we picked up at the "tree store the other day." It'll be "just perfect." "Daddy did a great job putting up the tree."

Holton Huddle

We recently huddled with the Holton clan. The CA/WA cousins who were unable to join us last year joined us this time. Mike (standing beside Adam in back, far left) is Adam's older cousin. He brought with him his wife Pam and children Daniel (middle, back), Lauren (behind Daniel, up high), Madison (beside Vanessa and Tuck) and Caleb (in front of Daniel, behind Madison). They're all wonderful kids and Vanessa really enjoyed visiting with them. Other new additions this year are Jack (front, very far right), Zane (you can guess his location) and another little cousin to arrive in the spring (belly of Cousin Christen -- behind Vicky).

It was an exciting time with lots of visiting and eating. Here's only one moment of fun:

As Grandpa Holton reminded us on August 18, 1995, it was a visit to be extra thankful for:

Giving Thanks

For health and food,

for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends,

Father, in heaven, we thank Thee.

                                         ~Emerson