Over the Hills and Through the Woods...

Last weekend, we went to visit my in-laws in the country (like we do the week after Christmas every year). Although I didn't get the snow I ordered (I got it here at home today instead!), it was lovely.

My mother-in-law goes out into the woods and finds a little tree for her Christmas tree. She cuts it down and drags it into the house all by herself and decorates it with old, old meaningful ornaments and lots of tinsel. To me, that is the perfect Christmas tree.

We exchanged gifts

and probably the best gift this Christmas (other than The Gift) were these amazing capes my mother-in-law made for the girls, along with little baskets and Little Red Riding Hood books!

We ate goood stuff cooked in bacon grease and sat in the freezing cold to admire the clear, country sky at night. Davis and the kids went for a hike and came running back when they were struck by a sudden downpour!

This was Amelia watching the horses eat apples - she was grinding her teeth like they do.

Then, every night, like she has since their first visits to the farm as infants, my mother-in-law rocked the girls to sleep.

This time Sophia asked sadly, "am I too big to rock?" but grandma said "no" and rocked her just the same as always.

*****

Today in church, the girls prayed for snow - and they go it! I'll get some pretty pictures of it tomorrow. In the meantime, here they are all bundled up and ready to go out and play.

They had the best time - snowball fights with the neighbor, walking up and down our sidewalk making snow tracks, making snow angels, catching snowflakes on their tongue. It made me wistful, as I remembered last year's snow. Henry was just one day old...