And here we are at the end of another year! 

December was full of the usual Christmas things, starting out with Lina's school Christmas concert.  

Then came Lina's 10th birthday!

I took the girls birthday shopping and out for lunch. Josiah stayed home, shopping is not his thing at all. But us three had a really good time. I can't believe how long those girls can spend in a make-up store, they don't even wear make-up yet, but they love the lotions and oils and lip balms. No wonder Josiah stays home!

The weather turned cold and frosty. We didn't get a white Christmas, but it was sure cold and wet out there.

I decorated right after Thanksgiving. It is always so fun to get all those decorations out. Everything feels so peaceful and cozy.

Lina was so excited she could reach the Humdinger for the first time. 

I was sure it wasn't going to happen, but finally just before Christmas, Arianna re-arranged the nativity. Every since she was a toddler, she has made sure and circle everyone, including the animals, with baby Jesus in the middle, so that everyone 'could see the baby'.

John and Rachel arrived just after Jessi and the kids and we set to work on dinner preparations. When I asked everyone what they wanted to eat this year for Christmas Eve dinner, they all decided we should try to make tamales. Along with that we decided on chicken enchilada casserole, tortilla soup and pupusas. Through the years, we have had many students from Central America. From them and our travels we learned how to make tamales Central American style and also El Salvadorean pupusas. We had a really fun time making it all, but I was worried until we broke into the tamales if they would taste OK. It all turned out good and we can call it a success!

We finished off with cheesecake and a Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Then came the gifts. As everyone has gotten older, the gift unwrapping has been less exciting. Somehow, this year, it was fun again.

John and Rachel built a little picnic table that holds an ear of dried corn for the squirrels. 

It took a while, but finally I had two of them today!

Christmas morning, we went for a little walk. 

Christmas Day, we had traditional dinner at Mom and Dad's and opened gifts.

I made a memory game for the kids. For some reason, Lina scored and came away with all the high end surprises under those cups.  Great Memory!

And now it is time to bring on 2025!

The first week of November, I flew down to California to go to Gabe's high school production of The Newsies.  Time is flying by so fast, I just had to make a point of getting there to see one of his events before he is out of high school. It always seems like as much as I intend to get to more events, life here just keeps going and suddenly before I know it, everyone is growing up so fast. I hope to get to more events in the coming months.

He did amazing in his school play, it seems like Gabe does amazing at all the things he decides to try. Drama, dance, violin, speech, debate, choir and church worship team. I tried to upload a short video of the play, not sure if it will load. He has not taken dance lessons before and the role he had in The Newsies had a tap dancing scene. Of course, he took right to it!

Before the play.

I can't believe that Dennis has had a book published! And now it has been updated and reprinted!

While I was visiting, the power was shut off because the power company  was taking precautions because of the Moutain Fire that had just started pretty close to where they live. Daniel got bored, so picked up his violin and played for us by candlelight. It kinda makes me want to go without power all the nights. 

I made it home in time for Josiah's 14th birthday.

Dinner to Country Kitchen with my parents.

Driving with Josiah one day, the reflections were so pretty on the Columbia. Since I was driving, I could not shoot, so I had Josiah try to get one with my phone. I can't believe how pretty it turned out.

The leaves put on a pretty display on the trees AND on the ground. It sure kept John busy!!

Emily sent monthly photos of the boys. The one below of Henry just cracks me up.

Dennis and the family flew up for Thanksgiving. The cousins loved their time together as always. We saw a movie, made peanut butter balls, and had so much fun together.

Family photo missing Joshua (stationed in Japan with the Marines) and Alexis, and Emily, Matthew and Beau and Henry. One of these days, we WILL get everyone together for a photo!

Mom and grandson Matthew have the same birthday. She turned 87.