Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was relaxing and wonderful.  A much needed rest after an incredibly busy fall/early winter.  It was wonderful to have time to sit and contemplate our blessings on this Holy day.

Here are a few photos of the day...


First puzzle of the season is complete!

I didn't get a single package wrapped this year...

thankfully Jonathan was okay with that.
And I love his new cowboy hat!
(yes, he got more presents!)  :)  

The freshly fallen snow was calling to the three 'kids' here at Willis Creek Ranch.  So Grandpa and Kerry hitched the sleds to the truck and took Hannah, Susanna, and Jonathan sledding.



Annie and Piper were in the octagonal pen out back.

One of the funniest things was watching Piper enjoying her first snowfall and her confused excitement at the truck pulling the sledders by.  Daddy drove the sleds around that pen several times, slowly, so Piper could really get a good look.  She loved it!





Declan running right alongside the sledders.  :)





I think he is jumping on the sled at this point!  :) 












This was really cool!  I was standing on the porch taking photos (the one right above, as a matter of fact) when I heard a noise.  Just as I was trying to figure out what it was, Hannah raised her arm to the sky and hollered 'Bald Eagles'!!  Sure enough, two bald eagles were flying low over our front yard.  I was able to snap this quick photo of them.  I have never seen bald eagles flying over our house/yard before.  Very neat!


They all stopped to watch the eagles fly over.
Daddy has been pulling sleds behind a truck for many, many years.  :)

Marvin heading out to get a bale of hay for the horses.



I like this one because it has the truck/sledders
 and also Marvin on the tractor in the same photo.  :)




gathering everyone in for a photo  :)

Jonathan, Grandpa, Susanna, Kerry, Hannah

a good day of sledding


You can see an entire album of photos at this link...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72157688762267822


And here is a little video - it shows Piper being excited by the truck/sledders, and about 7 seconds of the eagles flying over.



Christmas Eve

We awoke on Christmas Eve morning to a couple inches of freshly fallen snow.  It was a beautiful sight.  Even more beautiful when Jonathan offered to drive us all to church in his truck.  :)





The last Sunday in Advent.  I think the church is absolutely lovely this time of year.  And I always think about our wedding day in this very church, during Advent, when the church was decorated just as beautifully.  It definitely brings back lots of good memories.



Advent banner still up this morning.



After church we gathered at Mama and Daddy's for lunch.  So glad to have a little time with these two.  They would be heading out of town immediately after Christmas Eve candlelight services.


Jackson and Brianna


pretty poinsettia Brianna brought to Grandma Sue

By the time we got home that afternoon, the sky had come out brilliant blue.  What a beautiful day!!

  


Jonathan took Susanna and Brianna out to the barn to meet Piper. 


Mama and Daddy's beautiful front yard

View of the first snowfall from their new room.  

Before long it was time to head back to church for Christmas Eve candlelight service.  One of my favorite services of the entire year.


new banner up tonight

Daddy took this photo from the pew behind...
we filled the pew in front of him and Mama.







Family photo after church
Marvin, Laura, Jonathan, Brianna, Jackson, Mama, Daddy, Kerry, Hannah, Candace, Susanna



Then it was back to Mama and Daddy's house for dinner and a Christmas Eve puzzle.