Our Western Washington kids arrived on Christmas morning just before 11:00 a.m. I was watching expectantly at the living room window. They flew into the Spokane airport and rented their bright sleigh for the drive north to our house.
Our Eastern Washington kids arrived after Addy’s nap, about 3:30. We opened stocking gifts and then got ready for our dinner.
Prime Rib off the Traegar this year and it was delicious. It was nice to have the oven free for our side dishes, roasted vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and creamed corn.
On Boxing day we all gathered again for another batch of Dear’s Swedish Pancakes.
After our breakfast we played some games until it was time for Addy to go home for her nap. We gathered in the afternoon at Dan and Jamie’s for fun in the snow and for dinner. I’ve posted already about our fun in the snow.
Thank you, Vee, for suggesting PhotoScape for a collage making program. I went a little overboard but had fun.
I’ll wait and see if Angie has a link-up for Mosaic Monday or maybe I missed the fact that we are taking this Monday off.
Happy last day of 2018 everyone. What a year it was. I’ll put my New Year greeting up tomorrow but for now I’ll consider 2018 and all that God has guided us through.
Here’s the first paragraph and following sentence from a daily reading by Spurgeon for December 31st:
From day to day and from year to year my faith believes in the wisdom and love of God, and I know that I shall not believe in vain. No good word of his has ever failed, and I am sure that none shall ever fall to the ground. I put myself into his hand for guidance….
How happy you must have been to be surrounded by those you love.
Hello Lulu, yes and I don’t take it for granted.
Oh my – Addy is just so cute! What a fun Christmas. I love the red “sleigh” that arrived in your driveway. Your mosaics are delightful and show a wonderful family Christmas in your new home! Happy New Year dear Ellen and to all your loves!!! Hugs!
Thank you Rosella. Same wishes back atcha! 🙂
…did everyone have to wear a goofy hat at dinner? You sure are a festive bunch. Happy New Year, Ellen.
Hi Tom, those are the paper crowns that come out of Christmas Crackers, a British tradition.
I sure enjoyed looking at your post. So happy for you to spend your first Christmas in your new home with all your favourite people. Happy New Year.
I can imagine you waiting for all to arrive on Christmas Day! The love you share as a family jumps right through the screen. Wishing you continued wonderful memory making in your new home.
I love Spurgeon’s quote. Just what I needed to read.
Happy New Year to you and yours. May 2019 be less momentous and tumultuous but equally joyful.
Great collages! Fun times…great memories of your first Christmas ‘in the far east’ documented here. Happy New Year!
Lovely mosaics of family life at Christmas in your new home, Ellen. (I use Photoscape too and like the tartan edge to your photos). I appreciate your addition of an extract from your daily devotional reading by Spurgeon. Thank you for your comment left on my last blog post. Once more may you and your family have a very good new year.
Merry Christmas fun. Looks like ya all had a good one
MB
What a wonderful time with your family! Happy New Year! I have changed my blog address to: http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/
Dear Ellen
What a joyous Christmas you all had!
Wonderful photos and so lovely to see all ages – it’s the little children that make it so special!
Ours was similar and we had a fun day too!
God Bless
Shane xxx
Heartwarming and happy photos, enjoyed them all. I especially enjoyed the one with the paper hats as we wore those too. I bought my Christmas Crackers from World Market this year but it has been a tradition in my family going back to my childhood in the UK. Lovely to see them here.
That is a wonderful quote to end with! But, oh what joy we see all along the way in this post! Your photographic records of the day(s) are fabulous . . . so many happy family times! I declare Addy looks so much older all of a sudden. (Still adorable!)
So happy to see you all enjoying gatherings in your new home! What a gift!
I love the quote and all the framed pictures!You have a beautiful family!❤️