Christmas 2019

The smell of Christmas (that is, Jared's orange rolls) was in the air, there was lots of family time, lots of good food, and lots of loot from Santa - in other words, a great Christmas.

Ben and Kim hosted this year's Candland Chrsitmas party, which turned out great even for the big crowd of almost 70 people. Santa even made an appearance, and Jack and Ellie spent a little one-on-one time with the Big Man.


Then it was back for some quiet family time. Christmas Eve, we went to a lovely service at a local church. Christmas Day was spent in pajamas, hanging out and playing with our new loot.

And let's not forget, Jared's orange rolls.

Merry Christmas!

Messy...But Cozy

At least one member of our family likes Ellie's disaster area of a room. Because one man's Crap-All-Over-The-Floor is another basset's Oh-So-Cozy-Nest.

Let the Season Begin!

This weekend, we (and approximately 37,000 other people) went to a nearby tree farm to get our Christmas tree and officially kick off the Christmas season.

It took about half the time to just find a parking spot. Yup, we weren't the only ones to kick off the season - but that's a good thing, in my mind, something I kept reminding myself as we had to crawl through the farm to find parking.

We quickly found our tree, and I even managed to get everyone to pose for a photo. Yes, that's only because I let Ellie hold a sharp object.

Jared quickly dispatched with the tree sawing.

Jack got in on the game, too.

And Ellie was a pretty darn good tree hauler

Because we're gluttons for punishment, we keep trying to get a successful selfie. Clearly the key is to have Ellie take the selfie, because at least she manages to get everyone in the frame.

Although I'm not sure what she's doing here.

That's better? But maybe a smile next time?

Let's get this Christmas going, all!