And the memories pile up . . .

 I think we rekindled our love for Uno this year, discovered a few new aspects,
that it's very fun to play by the actual rules, and games take a tediously long time to finish!

 But no one minded much. It's Christmas.

 Making Buckeyes and giving them hair this year.

From bits of string and glitter and glue . . .

 Come paper snowflakes. When Daniel made one for Aunt Hetty, I knew exactly what our Christmas decorations lacked!

 Amidst Christmas cookie baking . . .

and laughing, rollicking rounds of Twister we piled up memories, one after the other!

And all the while, the Christmas tree looked on, smiling down with its star of wonder, star of light. Remembering for us, dreaming ahead of more Christmases. More remembering. More loving of the greatest gift of all.

Dawna's Christmas party was a smashing success!

And a certain joy we rediscovered and all shared together, when we went looking for Christmas. Out in the snow and the cold, under stars, and followed the lights . . .

Merry Christmas all! It's only beginning, this Christmas season of ours. When angels sing, and wise men bring their gifts and we stand in awe over a manger filled with hay, and the Baby. Yes. Isn't the start of something all over again the most exciting?