'tis the season

Merry Christmas to all of our dear friends and to our beloved families. We love and miss you all so much, and we send you our long-distance hugs, and hearty wishes for a lovely and joyous Christmas.

Since we can't be with all of you today, we're sending along these pictures, and a video, of our Christmas celebrations so far. As you can see, we are jubilantly embracing our first Minnesota Christmas - complete with snow!

So here's to peace on earth, remembering to count our many blessings, and to basking in the love and warmth of friends and family.

Our neighbor's charming snowman.

Winter walks to admire the lights.

The neighborhood is aglow.

Making snow angels.

Christmas morning two truck bonanza - ho, ho, ho!

Our tree. 

My favorite holiday picture. Ever.

Enjoying the novelty of walking on a frozen lake.

Cozy nights indoors, reading.

Opening gifts on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning --- opening family gifts. Thanks for the blanket, mom!

Thanks for the hats, mom - we'll need these.

The chef. 

Christmas French toast.