Friday, December 19, 2025

Week before Christmas!

 We are less than one week away from Christmas and I'm starting to feel weary of the lists, shopping and hustle and bustle.  I'm ready to finish up the purchases and reflect of the birth of Jesus!  When I see pictures like this one below, I just can't help but to think of how it really must have been a long time ago!  I love the song "Labor of Love" because it tells details that we often don't think about!  Go listen to it!!!!


With the excitement of Christmas, we were also excited to see our first snow fall!  Snow is always fun but when it happens before Christmas Day, it's extra special!



We woke up to wonderland outside!  The snow was big and chunky on the trees!  Church was canceled.  We listened to a sermon from the radio (yep, old school here) and worked on our advent puzzle!


This is my favorite spot on our property!  Seeing it snow covered and resting is also peaceful!


We love when the birds come visit us in the winter!


And here's the advent puzzle!  Ready for day 14 here!  We will have this completed by Christmas Day!  I love this!!!!


Twinkling lights inside and snow outside!


Gonna drink lots of this this winter!!!!


Austin has some traps set outside and did catch a fox already but if there's a trap set, he must check it everyday!  Mike went with him this time and off they trudged through the snow!



And as much as I would have loved to sit on the couch and watch the Chiefs and enjoy being in my pjs on this snowy Sunday, my parents were hosting the Riehl Aunt and Uncles at their farm.  So, I grabbed the chocolate cake I made and headed off to a good time!  The Riehl's are like no other!  They love big time!  The laugh big time!  They play games with all their might!  They all work their butts off at markets!  But let me tell you, they deserve it all!!!!  This family has been through a lot of grief, hurts and trials in the past!  Some are in some really hard things right now!  But they always gather with grateful hearts for each other and I get to call them FAMILY!



Mom and Dad host in their barn.  Mom has a way of making something simple be so pretty!  It was warm in here and the little lanterns were lit on the tables and the table is set!


Every single year my Uncles play rook games!  You would be entertained!!!!  Mike got to play a game with Uncle JR and it was not quiet!


I'm so vey blessed to come back home with a heart full of love!  Merry Christmas to the Riehl's!

Sigh.  We needed a win to make it to the playoffs but now our quarterback is hurt and out for the rest of the season!  Sigh!




DECEMBER 15 ... no school today.  The roads are a mess.  Snow covers the ground.  Austin wanted a friend to play in the snow and Ashlyn did get the four wheeler out and went for a sled ride but that was all short lived.  Snow days are fun but the kids do need school!  This is our second no school day already because of the weather!  Happy snow day!


Gunnar was here for a bit and what a precious photo this is!!!!  These boys melt my heart!!!


Home all day long had me finishing up my chocolates!


And baking oranges for a garland!


Although Austin did stomp off to his room early in the day complaining that no one wants to play in the snow with him, this made his day!!!!!  Instead of being inside watching basketball all night, the cousins came along and went snowboarding down the school hill!!!!  Win, win!!!  They had so much fun!



Christmas is coming!!!!