A Very Milkbarn Christmas

That's it!
Our annual Christmas tree trip.
We didn't make it to the mountains to cut one down.
So, the Depot it is!

Clay thinks a trip to get a tree should be about 10 minutes.
I think not. 
Note my expression.
It takes 20 minutes and a Jennifer seal of approval.

Lights are on!
Like most years, my tree changes with the mood of our family and home.
The kids voted for colored lights this year.
I layered in white lights with them to kind of pop out the colors.
It is an old fashioned kind of year.

I thought our new blue door looked perfect with a wreath on it!

Our attempt at a crafternoon. 

We brought home some pine cones from the mountains last fall and decided they must become ornaments! 

Well, I guess I did. I limit my design dictating to twice a year.

All glittered up.

 Construction messes negate any worries about glitter everywhere. 

We made some ornaments and also put some in a nice clear vase. 

I will say, the boys tried to protest they were done after maybe 4 were decorated. 

That was not an option.

You will craft with me this one time!!

a Very Georgia O'Keefe snowflake.

Then we taught Chester how to make snowflakes. 

I do prefer paper ones to the real thing.

Well, I do like snow until January and then I'm like...

isn't it spring yet?

Lucy's 7th/8th grade choir concert. 

She was so fabulous. Her solo surprised me and I think, her. 

She will go for a whole song next time! She is an alto. 

Looking into voice lessons soon for her.

Henry had a hand bell concert at school. 

He worked hard getting to practices before school for choir and handbells.

I was so proud.

This is what Chester thought of all that hard work.

We headed out to a work party.

I actually read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

I like how this story really addresses the matter of change.

Isn't that the message of the season?

I have been trying to change little things about myself.

I don't like settling for much.

But I also need the help to do it.

Our church had a night in Bethlehem gathering. 

My camera died, here is the shot I got of our girls. 

It was a simple event and so enjoyable. And I loved the fresh food!

 Ignore Dad looking at his phone. It died subsequently.

We got a couple of good snows in.

Typical Colorado, it melts off.

Went ice skating in Louisville our first night of winter break and Dad was finally home from being gone all month.

Chester was kind of losing it.

"I don't know how!!!!"

Skating!

Not skating!

Chester finally got going on the ice with a little shovel 

to balance him.

And yes, that is Audrey on the ground behind him.

The kids had a great time regardless of skill.

Life lesson right there.

Christmas cards are my favorite.

Thank you for sending them!

Our gum drop tree.

Disclaimer: I did not use pinterest!

Audrey could not wait to make these.

They were eaten within a day.

I got sick. I guess I was due, it's been a couple of years.

So Clay shaved his beard into a handlebar mustache to cheer me up.

I said old fashioned Christmas not trailer park Christmas!

Our Christmas Eve dinner. 

I cook all year so Clay gets the holidays. 

I do the salads and dishes.

Deal!

Christmas Eve

We read the story of the Saviors birth and sang songs. 

Lucy did a couple solos and Henry played along.

Christmas morning.

Henry came in at 2am.

Then 6 am.

"Mom, I can't sleep my stomach hurts.

I don't know what to do."

Clay grunts out

"go back to bed"

Then everyone is awake by 6:30.

Except Chester who snuggled up in bed with us...

because Henry woke him up.

I make them wait til they are going berserk.

Berserk entry to the presents.

Santa left a trampoline on the door step.

There was some hollering.

There was merrymaking.

There was napping.

There was pie making.

Then there was some snow making.

Merry Christmas from the Milkbarn!

Thank you to our family, neighbors and friends. 

For the love and encouragement we received from you this year. 

Thank you for reading and laughing along with us on our journey here in Colorado.