'tis the season for family

On December 23, family from around the state gathered at our home for a few hours to exchange gifts and watch Ander open and play with them. We dined -- more like grazed on lots of nibbles -- and chatted and had a relaxed time, remembering to take a group photo before we called it a day (thanks to Shane who knew how to operate the camera's timing mechanism). It was a nice gathering that Howard called "the beginning of a tradition."

Laurie is absent from this photo, leaving a few days prior to spend Christmas with her parents in Colorado.

Here Howard and Jeanette test some essential oils she received.

And Ander gets a horsey ride.