Wrapping Up Loose Ends

It's Christmas Eve already! Every year the month of December seems to fly

by and this year was no different. Even with everything on our To-Do list we

managed to have one final cookie bake before Christmas. It was actually

pretty easy because I had made the dough a month ago and froze half

for our Christmas sugar cookies.

A tray waiting to go in the oven. Don't they look yummy?

Leah rolls out the dough and cuts them and bakes them.

After the icing has been applied, Daniel takes over,

adding the finishing touches.

As you can see, sometimes Leah really gets into baking!

I love it when all three children join me in the kitchen.

We have so much fun with our baking/cooking projects.

Of course it doesn't hurt that we all love to EAT!

Mmmmm - these won't last long!

While Leah slaves in the kitchen, I slave at the wrapping station I've set up

in my bedroom. We've got a little portable table that I haul up

along with all the wrapping paper, tissue paper, ribbons, bows, etc.

Earlier, to simplify matters I separated each person's gifts into their own box

that I would add to as I purchased gifts for them.

That makes the wrapping job so much simpler!

Our bed, covered with wrapping paraphenalia. That's a powerful motivator -

if you want to go to bed, you've got to finish wrapping everything!

Here we are the next morning: Child #1's wrapped portion of gifts.

I always buy the children books and I don't wrap those or the things

that go in their stocking.

Child#2 and #3's gifts in our closet. Done!

I cheated this year and did the stockings early. I'm breaking with tradition here...

So, shoot me!

That's it. All I have left to do is one final batch of cranberry bread

(my husband likes it fresh) and my work is done. :)

Later today we'll be off to church and then over to my niece's home to celebrate Christmas Eve

with my husband's side of the family. Our niece just bought this beautiful old home in a darling town last summer. We're happy to help her ring in her first Christmas in her "new" home!

Merry Christmas to all of my friends in Blog Land.

May your holidays be memorable and joy-filled!

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:10-14