Jaron couldn't get enough of riding horses. We had to pry him off when it was time for them to go.
Oliver and his boys stayed very busy working on our fixing fences, clearing trails, and making a shelter for our new little calf. We feel like real ranchers now. I'll have to take a picture today of our calf. Jaron is feeding it right now. Joel and him are going to split the profits when we sell it at the auction next Fall.
Little Hannah is such a dream baby. We had such a great time.
We had the best Christmas of all our lives at Taylor's house. Thank you so much Taylor and Shelley and kids for letting us once again crash your party. Thank you thank you for your generosity! Calvin cried on the way home cause he didn't want to leave! Notice the crown molding in the background...so nice:) The best Christmas Breakfast! Matching dresses! Kyla's hair is not at its best but she loved her kitchen! Benjamin was the best cousin ever and played constantly with Calvin, what a great kid! Waiting to go down and get their stockings and Santa's gifts christmas eve with their new pjs Great Christmas Eve meal
Hannah just laid there watching us all open presents for like 90 minutes. She wasn't even upset when she only got 2 presents and everyone else got tons. Above, see Oliver with the two things he wanted most.... a new cowboy hat, and a safe place to put his beloved firewood. We were driving to Hershey a few days ago, and he spotted local electric company crews cutting away trees from the side of the road. We are lucky he kept driving to Hershey instead of turning around to get his trailer to fill with free wood. Below, see our biggest with our smallest. He almost looks to old to have a sister so tiny. Yesterday, I took some pictures of Hannah in her blessing dress, which she was blessed in like 2 months ago. I figured I should do it before she outgrew it.
Natalya & Ryan chowing down, the a picture of Jared and Joel with their new headlamps..all the better for doing chores after dark... I'm sure they will thank us later.
Last here is Natalya with her precious Barbies, and with her doppelganger (her word, not mine).
In Charles County schools, they start to offer music lessons in the fifth grade.... no charge, except for renting the violin. Can't wait to see your Russian white Christmas photos. It is really warm here... more like the California Christmases of my first 18 years... minus the palm trees. JaLayne... how are you enjoying your California Christmas? Our oven has been broken since the day before Christmas... The part finally came, and it looks like the repairman will finally get it fixed before 5 PM today.... pray for us that he actually comes (he has not shown up for 3 scheduled appointments) We are breaking with the veggie diet for the Christmas ham, and I don't want to have to eat it uncooked ;) Amber
Moscow finally got more than a dusting of snow this week - about 12 inches over the last few days. We are so excited to have a white Christmas. We were starting to doubt! Oliver loves sledding. Too bad we forgot the camera. I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities.