Christmas Eve

We decided not to risk driving to Des Moines and back today with the epic winter snow storm forecasted for the whole holiday weekend. Instead, we spent a nice day at home as a family. Austin hung the new vertical blinds in the living room with a little help from Emily. ;o) He also put on the first coat of red paint in the half bath. All he could say was, "Wow--that's really red!" :o)

My good friends Angie & Brian stopped by for a couple hours because they were in the area. The weather also held up long enough for us to make it to a Christmas Eve service at Orchard Hill Church--something we would usually not be able to do because we would normally be out of town. It was a beautiful service. I thought Emily might enjoy the music, lights and candles, but she begged to go play in nursery and threw a fit when it was time to go home. Go figure! Here are the kids dressed in their Christmas best...