Granny's gift is beyond wonderful, and during this time of year, I want to meditate on the most wonderful, live saving, peace bringing, joy infusing gift of all: 
Snow starting to accumlate on Granny's porch on Christmas Eve.
Excitement on the faces of all the kids! It's SnOwInG!
Big winter coats and snow boots!
Terrible visibility during the harrowing ride home. Would love to say I wasn't a backseat driver, but oh no, that didn't happen. I'm sure it didn't help Tom's sense of calm for me to squeal out: "slow down!" "watch out!" "I'm too young to die!!" (j/k on the last one). 
Cars and trucks in the ditch (look carefully and you will see this pick up truck nose down).
More cars in the ditch on Christmas morning.
And more cars abandoned on the side of the road while driving out to Nana and Papas.
Snow plows.
It was like a car graveyard.
More snowplows.
Papa on his 4-wheeler out on the farm.
Snowball fights.
Rides in the snow (Tom and Maggie)
A dusting of snow on a beauty.
A warm and toasty friendship.
Fun in the white stuff!
The making of snowangels.
A perfect Snowangel!
Big Smiles
Happy Faces
Sledding in the park with Uncle Jon.
Tom and Ellie!
Praise be to God in heaven who fights our battles if we will let him.
We drove all the way across to granny's house and sang to her and Uncle Rex... she said it was the best Christmas present she could ever get.... and I think she meant it.
A tradition my kids have known is going to the Christmas celebration at my sister's country club... Here is Ellie trying to foil Brandini (yes, she picked up a cup in the middle of the trick; Brandini was NOT happy with her)
Luke and Nana (see the cute snowman on Luke's face....)
Hallie and Ellie with the famous upside-down Christmas tree.
and believe it or not, every Christmas I have a picture of one of my kids with a snake draped around his/her neck. Talk about heart-warming traditions. There is always a little petting zoo at the club and this year, Luke was the lucky one. 
