Theophany

Theophany is the appearance of God, specifically the Trinity.  When Thou was baptised in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest!

Colleen is the wife of Paul's Godfather, John, she took Paul to the dismissal, venerating of the cross and sprinkling holy water!  That's her daughter, Kiranna, taking prosphora.  And below, my oldest daughter...

 Colleen had a drink of the newly blessed water
and then gave Paul a little.

The sun shone beautifully today, although 

I think it was high of 22'F...very cold. 

 Filling up jars to take home.

 

My nephew, Timmy, and son, Paul...we
read books together after church.

We finally got snow!

It snowed here.  The grass isn't completely covered, but it's pretty.  Paul and I went for a little walk in the snow yesterday. 

I love how my niece is dresses, she's such a little lady.

Paul's first time sitting in the high chair, with a blanket and pillow for support.

My nephew sleeping, he is the one who we get so many clothes from...he's a year older than Paul.

Today, we went to the Red Balloon play cafe.  The girls created...  Then played, even little Paul got involved.

These two cousins are such good friends.  Just 2 years apart.

I hope you're keeping warm!

Nativity

 My nephew who is going to be 2 in February.
What a great little smile! 

 A year and a half apart...next year they'll
really doing stuff together.  In the background, the kids were all making noise, enjoying being together.  My husband played Christmas carols on the mandolin.

 Reading a new book!

The girls coloring...even I got an "adult" coloring book, with fine details of various different kinds of flowers.

 Grammie time together.

 Paul got a fox for a gift.

 We sewed some bibs for gifts for his little friends.

 And poured beeswax candles to give, wrapped in felt wool remnants from Pendleton Wool that can be used as a mug cozy, too.

 My 10 year old niece crocheted this hat as a gift for Paul.  That pink pacifier is Paul's favorite.

All ready to head to church for the Nativity of Christ.

Together

We made 2016 bread to go with spaghetti for lunch on Jan. 1st with one of the kid's cousins, who spent the night!  There's nothing like spending time together with family and friends.

Paul got some little boats, which we tried on as shoes, for fun...he has taken a few baths with his new boats.  My oldest daughter, Hannah bought me this beautiful sweater, while we were in Portland.

We celebrate Christmas twice...once on Dec. 25th and again on Jan. 7th (which is Dec. 25th on the old calendar)!  That's tomorrow!  Here is one of my favorite homemade gifts we got, this ornament has tiny letters sewn on for each one of us, plus a little bird, mandolin, flower, teapot and heart - 5 symbols that represent each member of our family.  ♥ 

Horse back riding

 Let's go for a ride...

 Ready? 

 My aunt Sarah and son, Gideon, came from Vermont to visit.

 They went on a trail in the woods. 

Thanks to my sister, for organizing this fun day!