And We're Off...

Yep. It's finally happening.

Less Than Twenty Hours Until Departure...

After this week's toil, all that remains between me and Christmas break is tomorrow morning's Spanish final. The other finals have gone well, and the hard work is almost done.
Today we began packing to head out tomorrow afternoon, and after school will be the big push to load the car before Dad gets home from work. Please pray for traveling safety and peace in the close quarters during the long drive. We are so excited to see everyone soon!

Finals Week

All,

I have posted a few pictures from Christmas, but I don't have much time to write. Katie and I have finals this week, and I had to turn down a hike this afternoon to study. :(

If all goes as planned, we'll be heading out on Friday afternoon to make the long trek to Indy.
Keep Elissa in your prayers as she begins her travels to the States today!

"Christmas" (The early version)

Dad and Mom arrived home Saturday afternoon; that evening, most of us bundled up against the cold to go see the annual Christmas parade in downtown Colorado Springs. Despite the bitter temperatures, we had fun watching the floats (including a Chick-fil-a truck and trailer full of dancing cows! That's for you, Aunt Christine!) and visiting with the Anderson family.
By 7:30 this morning, the stairs were populated by the waiting kids, eager to begin the morning's festivities. As a new twist in the tradition of the early Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma Paige, we began the celebration in the morning. Breakfast was a delicious bacon, egg, and cheese pie, completed by a side of rolls with cinnamon sugar and pecans. Before heading to the family room for presents, we had our second advent reading of the Christmas season. Everyone had fun giving and receiving presents to and from Grandpa and Grandma, and we finished with enough time to not feel rushed while getting ready for church. Tonight, we're having our "Christmas dinner"!
We're excited to see Elissa (she arrives in the States in one week) and everyone else back in Indy soon!
I'll post pictures soon...

Snow: A Perfect Beginning to December

Last night, the snow began falling stealthily. By morning, the ground had not been completely covered, but a light frosting coated the world. The mountains have been shrouded in cold, gray clouds, but inside has been warm, looking, sounding, and smelling more like Christmas. Yesterday, Christie made the sugar cookie dough; we ate the test batch of cookies. This afternoon, the majority of the decorating was completed, so never fear, I captured some pictures before the goodness was devoured!
Dad and Mom have been having a good time skiing in Breckenridge, while Grandpa, Grandma, and the rest of us have held down the fort. School has been very busy, gearing up for finals, but I think we can make it one last day. I've begun driving Katie and myself to school, a new experience, but a welcome one. I apologize for posting the Christmas tree photo a week later, so I took some other ones to make up for it.
This Sunday, we'll have our early Christmas celebration with Grandpa and Grandma before they go back to Indy. All the preparation has made the official Christmas that much closer!