Solstice

I love to celebrate the solstice. For me it represents a brief interlude from the Christmas magic/busyness/intensity to focus on the root cause of this whole season - the darkest day of the year and the return of the light. We asked some of our good friends to come celebrate with us. 

My beautiful boys enjoying some kombucha. 

 Happy!

 Beautiful chocolate peppermint cake from Baker and Spice bakery.

We had a make-your-own-pizza dinner using pita bread as the crusts and with everyone bringing different toppings.

 After pizza, we started a fire.

Me explaining some of the background of the winter solstice. Jake is holding a branch of rosemary which symbolizes remembrance --we each took a branch and used it to represent something about 2013 and then let that go. Then we threw the branches in the fire. Next we each took a pinch of lavender and thought of our hopes for 2014 and threw the lavender in the fire.

SantaLand

Mike and I took the boys to Alpenrose Dairy's SantaLand, a place I've been going since I was a small child. I love going back there.

Waiting in line for their turn to see Santa.

We love the picture! Jake asked Santa for the Lego Ninjago Temple of Light and Ryan asked for a soccer ball. They both also wanted candy canes. Jake was very chatty with Santa and had a great time. 

 After seeing Santa, we went to watch the trains for a bit.

Then it was off to my favorite part -- Storybook Lane. It's a magical forest filled with live baby animals and with a story throughout. Also some buildings like this one. Next year I'll take more pictures to show more of the magic!

Christmas Tree

We randomly drove out towards Sherwood to look for a place to cut our own Christmas tree.

 The place had a pretty view.

 Finally found our tree! Now to saw it off the base.

 Got it on the car...

And took it home, where we set it up and decorated it.

Thanksgiving 2013

The 4 of us went to my parent's house for Thanksgiving this year. It was a sweet family affair!

Gramma set up the salt tray. It was Ryan's first time with it and he loved it. Jake couldn't wait for his brother to give him a turn as he has played with the salt tray many times but it is always fun.

Happy to be together.

 Ryan had the job of ringing the dinner and dessert bell.

 Papa at work carving the bird.

Gramma set a lovely table. 

While Gramma and Papa prepared the meal, I made an apple pie at home. It was a beautiful, completely covered apple pie that I left cooling on the stove. Later in the day, I went into the kitchen and discovered the middle piece of the pie missing. Jake hadn't been able to resist pulling off the crust and eating it! I was so mad but so amused at the same time. 

 Even with part of the crust gone, it was delicous. We also had pecan and pumpkin pies.

Halloween 2013

Skeleton, Zebra, and Jedi Knight went trick or treating in the Village.

 Virginia helps Jake with the map.

 Tossing the beanbag through the hole for candy!

 This was in front of the bookstore. Her dress was made from the pages of books. Really cool.

 Candy break while waiting for friends to catch up.

 Star Wars is very popular.

 Porter, Ryan, Rowan, Jake, and Max.

 Jake bumped into his best friend from preschool, Cole. Cole is not a fan of having his picture taken.

My Dad came over to have dinner with us and go trick or treating. His costume rocked!

 Mike did a great job carving the pumpkins.

This guy refused to wear a costume but was very pleased with his glow-in-the-dark skeleton with candy shirt.