We took a break from our regular family worship devotions to read this as a family for the advent season. I think this is one of my favorite Christmas devotionals we have used.
We were not going to put up a Christmas tree this year, but we ended up getting this little guy and made one boy super happy.
Annual Christmas tea with the CURC Tuesday morning Bible study.
The BSF classes had a cookie fellowship on the last night before Christmas break. We all brought special Christmas cookies and went home with a plateful of yummy treats. I used to make these Christmas mice all the time but haven't made them for several years. I was surprised how excited my kids were that I resurrected this recipe from Taste of Home.
Friends invited Russ and me to use their extra tickets to the Messiah. The concert was in the beautiful downtown St. John's cathedral. A week or so later, we all went to the same cathedral to enjoy the Nampa Christian Christmas concert. Several of the youth group in our church participated.
I think all the Dordt kids from our church flew back to Boise on the same Southwest flight. Nothing like a little church fellowship at the Boise airport at midnight!
Russ and I hosted Christmas crafts and cookie decorating for kids at the church the Saturday morning before Christmas. These are a few of the crafts we offered for the kids to make along with dozens of cookies to decorate.
After discussing via Facetime for a semester, we enjoyed watching the last episode of the "Masked Singer" with Caleb. It was also fun to watch the season finale of "The Mandalorian" with Caleb and Nic. I crocheted "The Child" (also known as Baby Yoda) for each of the kids.😂
We didn't have any snow on the ground for Christmas but did enjoy looking at the snow on the mountains!
The Herman musicians provided the music for our Christmas Eve service. I even borrowed a violin to join their string trio! Nicolas and I played a beautiful cello/piano arrangement of "Away in a Manger" for the offertory. Anna had played plenty of organ leading up to this night, so she was content to sit back and just listen.
Russ and I had been stockpiling a few restaurant gift cards, so we treated the kids to Bella Aquilla (Italian) for a noon lunch and to the Fork downtown one evening (they have the best brussels sprouts appetizer😋). At Bella Aquilla, the waiter poured an entire glass of ice water on Lydia's shoulder and lap. It couldn't have happened to a more gracious and forgiving person, but I'm sure she won't forget that outing too soon!
Walking through the Village is always fun at Christmas with the beautiful lights, Christmas tree, and fountain. This year they also had a special animated light show along one of the buildings.
We loved our relaxing Christmas break with the boys. I think we fixed 10-12 puzzles, played oodles of games--including two fun family escape room games, and put together our first Lego Christmas Village piece.
The younger three kids all received Diamond Dotz for Christmas. Seth finished his in one week and is ready to order another one!
Nic finished up the last five doors--replacing the old gold knobs and hinges with something a little more updated.
Putting together spring rolls was a family project.
Russ and I also hosted the college kids who were home for the holidays one night for a meal, fellowship, and an escape room adventure, and then did it all again two nights later (Russ' birthday!) for the senior high youth group.
Anna had the privilege of playing on two awesome pipe organs downtown over Christmas break for part of her senior project. One of the musician members of our church has access to these organs. She graciously helped Anna for a morning, choosing stops, educating on acoustics, and just sharing her expertise on these beautiful instruments.
St Michael's Episcopalian Church
Cathedral of the Rockies
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