I went back and forth between a close-up of glittery ornaments and a picture that would forever remind of me Christmas 2008. You can tell which one won out. My brother Andrew arrived in town today and my parents welcomed the entire fam over for pot roast (yum). I really enjoyed the time spent with my family. As each year passes I think I enjoy their company more and more. I appreciate the time to connect with Adam and Kristin—even though we live an hour away, the distance feels greater sometimes. I love seeing my niece Madeleine in action; as always listening to her two year old vocabulary is hilarious and cute. Liv and Madeleine make quite a pair. Though they both confess great love for each other, tonight didn’t see great amount of love (or toys) shared. Enter reality, eh? The photo shows what it’s like when you wind up two girls and toss them on a large bed (sorry, Mom, I forgot the beds were antiques!), and then Uncle Andrew commences with the wrestling. We all enjoy having Andrew around… What is there to say? He’s a fun guy and livens up the whole house. My folks are really great hosts—I try to emulate them when I have people over. Their food is always delicious, their home is always clean, and I feel like I can be myself there. The grandchildren get crazy and make messes, we kids get pretty competitive when a game is at stake, but Mom and Dad seem to take it in stride.

The night together came to a close when the little girls were extra sleepy and the drives home loomed before us. Now even our own house is quiet as Liv is tucked under a multitude of covers in an attempt to stay warm as temps slide below 0. It’s Christmas time. Family is nearby. Gifts, wrapped and unwrapped, are strewn about the living room. Visions of sugar plums—or a ham, as it’s what I’m preparing for a holiday dinner—are beginning their dance.

What we do for fun. Stick the kiddos in bright red carts, pick up a latte or chocolate chip cookie, and meander.

As I run down the DPP list to the right, I’m amazed at the beautiful shots you’re capturing. I’m also amazed at what a varied crowd of folks we are. (Terrible grammar, my apologies.)

So, indulge me a bit… I’d like to find out how many countries and states we represent. Leave a comment today!

This shot is deceptive… In reality, I’m looking down on my parents’ backyard (grass on this side of the fence, under the snow that is), out onto the little lake behind their house. The lake, too, is covered with snow.

From this angle, however, I can imagine anything beyond that fence. An ocean? A large field? Fog covering mountains and a large field beside an ocean? Tricky job photographing snow, I suppose. And yet, I’m happy with the composition of this photo. It’s fun to dream a bit about what is beyond the fence.

I couldn’t help but post two photos today. The first was an easy pick… I like the way the snapshot is framed and I like the all the bright clothing colors in the white snow. The second photo? Well, I couldn’t pass up posting it here. It is so very Livia. Not one to spare a moment for great drama, Liv is caught here in the moment before letting out a shriek to wake the dead. She got, are you ready for this?, SNOW on her FACE. COLD snow. VERY COLD snow. Yes yes, she had been playing in 7 degree weather for close to 20 minutes and nope, that totally wasn’t any issue. But the COLDNESS of the snow on her FACE caused great anguish, now heard by all residents within one square mile, and that ended our play outside.

Fine with me. I wasn’t thrilled with the cold either.

Consider yourself warned. Actually, the parks I’ve visited yesterday and today didn’t omit offensive odors whatsoever. (The people I’ve been hanging with? Well, wish I could say the same. Ha.)

It was unseasonably warm in Lincoln, Nebraska, today and we enjoyed spending a little extra time outdoors. I anticipate a long winter ahead full of indoor activities—or outdoor activities where I’m incredibly uncomfortable in the wind and the snow—so today was a boost in morale for me. I feel like I’ve done a bit too much running around in the last day or so, all in the best way possible, but I’m really looking forward to a do-nothing kind of Sunday tomorrow.

Hope you enjoy a restful, worshipful kind of Sunday, too.

Twigs with fur coats and alien tree pods.