The Party is Over - The Tree Anyway

We decided (Pat decided) we needed to take down the Christmas Tree tonight. So we did! It is all down, and put away and the furniture put back in its proper place. It seems real nice. Now we just need to take down miscellaneous stuff around the house, but the major part is complete. Yeah for us. I am also very excited this year because I did not put lights on the outside of my house, and as a result, I DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THEM DOWN!!! Yeah for me.

Another Terrific Christmas

Starting the day at the Sweets watching everyone opening their gifts; eating a scrumptious breakfast of Carrie's German pancakes; coming home and opening our gifts; then preparing dinner for the masses, including the tradition of making French crepes--it was wild and so very enjoyable!! the only thing that would have been better is if Darren/Susan and family, and Mike/Kim and family could have been here! This is my first Christmas without my mom, so these photos of our Christmas stockings have special meaning. She made stockings like this for our entire family, and I have always loved them.I had to post this photo of Jed because--well just because he gives us such a bad time about our blogs and hates it when we take his photo (I think he secretly loves it to tell the truth)...

Christmas Eve With Orem Clarks

Curtis and Shandy know how to host a party!! Shandy and her mom are cooking maniacs, and we loved it! Dexter was a doll through it all; and, yes, it's verified--I (Pat) have Sex Appeal!!

Christmas Eve Day from the Deck

Here are a few pictures taken the afternoon of the day before Christmas from our deck. It is a Winter Wonderland. I can't wait until Christmas Day. You bet I'll be rip'n paper off presents! Merry Christmas everyone.

It's a Wrap!!

I played hooky from work today to get caught up on Christmas stuff, laundry, etc., etc. I organized the office into a wrapping station, and Carrie thought it was quite admirable, and insisted on taking photos. The boys were also having fun with the Christmas tree train.

Friends are great!

Most of you know our friends, Debbie and Paul. Debbie works with Dad at Verizon, having moved down here a couple of years ago. Paul is a meat cutter, and so last night they had us over for some of the best steaks we had ever tasted. They are such wonderful friends and we have loved having them live close. Dad made a cake that he found in Sunset magazine, December issue, and the cake looks just like the cover photo! It is an angel food cake frosted with whipped cream, then covered with crushed candy canes--it was scrumptious

The fun continues...

I know you are keeping up on Dexter, but I had to share some photos we took while they were here last weekend. This is Dexter in his Sunday best, and later his relaxing stripes! What a cutie!!

Let Christmas Begin

Wanted to get this post updated, so am putting in photos of today. We'll go back and share some incredible Indiana photos later. Carl started the 2006 candy making season with a batch of his famous nougat. We've decorated most of the upstairs and will move to the porch next. It's so cold, the outside light hanging may be given a rest this year. Notice our "fireplace." The fire even crackles and soft Christmas piano music is playing. No ashes to remove, no logs to carry in. We love this time of year!