post-Christmas post

I thought you might like to see what we did over the holidays:

When Patrick worked at Wal-Mart a few years back, we started caroling outside the store the weekend before Christmas. We sing the Christmas songs from the hymnbook, excluding The First Noel for some reason. It is so neat when people stop and feel reverent or sing along. It may be one of few bits of peace they feel during a rushed holiday season. Here is Simon hanging out in the cart while we sing.

Josie got a few Dick and Jane books for Christmas, and she reads them with Big Dolly while I take a shower. All of Josie's dolls have names: Ogie, New Ogie, Little Ogie, Georgie, Dolly, Big Dolly, New Dolly.

Christmas Day, Simon could hold out no longer. He was eating (and slowly leaning) right up to the moment he fell asleep. A long nap ensued.

Simon's first Christmas was a success, the packaging being very desirable.

Another tradition we have on the Sallings side is to take plates of treats around to friends and neighbors. I did not know this much sugar could exist in one place.

Josephine licked and liked beater batter.

Cousin baby Kellen and Josie enjoying time with Nanna.

Our caroling group, like the treat table above, has increased over the years as more participate and families grow.