The problem is posting without pictures.

I think I know what part of the problem is... It is the pictures. When doing things around with the family my first thought is generally not to grab the camera to snap a photo of whatever craziness is the current flavor. When I think about it we actually do a lot of fun things but it takes a mental effort to think to grab the camera (something lacking most days form this end). The hitch is that if I don't take any pictures I feel like the blog posts just are the ramblings of a deranged mind (and if you read these things, you are probably far enough that direction you don't need my help in that department). So there, we didn't take many pictures over the last while so my excuse is made...nuf said

As is our tradition, we try to have few traditions in this household other than trying not to do the same holiday traditions. Sure, we do have a Christmas tree but it is always a crap shoot for when we put it up. We also roll the dice to see if we put up outdoor lights and how many lights is determined by the random number of working ones in the string when plugged in. One sure thing is that we traditionally do have fun.

Last weekend we traveled north with the bus to spend a few days with the R family in Renton early in the week (against all public health travel advisory I should add too) and had plenty of game and cookie making time along with home Church and some frustratingly fun times cussing with tools in the shop while making a few gifts. A yo-yo turned into a snowman and a marker-top was eventually born from the shavings of a cord of wood for Eleanor.  Thanks guys. Hope the rest of the remodel goes well too.

(P.S. Thanks Uncle J for the magnetic LED emergency lights for the bus. On the way south they saved me a ticket or 2 from one of our nice uniformed compadres due to some dead running lights.)

The focus of much of the rest of the week was homemade gifts and relaxing. Here is a few more constructed over the week.

Madison made Mom a cheapskates' screen-printing shirt with freezer paper and bleach

Home made rubber-band You'll-shoot-your-eye-outers.

Upcycled 80's rocker style doll clothes

Christmas Eve came quick and again I failed to take a single picture but it was a grand time. Thanks Aunt C and Uncle B for the scones, doughnuts, game, "Goes Wrong Show" intro, town light tour, popcorn, Nutella, and awesome time. With everyone having a nice nap in the bus on the way home they were wide awake when we got home "Home not so Alone" meal of microwavable TV dinners we found on sale and  late that night when we got home and the laughter ensued with the afore mentioned movie.  

Christmas Morning: We feel like we found a good balance this year. Not too much stuff but good surprises.  Mommy actually surprised Dad this year on many levels. Typically the gift is either guessed correctly days in advance, not exactly the model desired, or has not arrived in time (Dad can be tough to shop for). This year none of the above applied and the backup camera is better than I would have wished for. 

A Christmas ballerina and makeover Evelyn  

The Child looks ready for a Mandalorian episode. 

A boy and his bread spread

There is a few gifts that also were not completed before the grand opening event. Semi-formal 

family pictures are still in the works. Zach was going to make some earrings for Mom. A treasure hunt and associated tools are yet to be acquired, and Marshall and dad are working on a family crest of sorts that we will reveal once the final version is complete. 

All in all the vacation has been real nice and we hope all of yours have been too. A very big thank-you too to our loving Grandmas and Grandpas for the gifts that are soon to phase change from liquid to solid states.

Love you all!