A white Christmas in Iowa

Because my family is spread out all over the world and we (I) have such a crazy work schedule, we celebrated Christmas early this year. My mom, dad, brother and sister all fought rain, sleet, snow and ice to be in Oskaloosa the week before Christmas... but it was a beautiful white Christmas- this is the view from my living room window. My dog, who doubles an a pillow, and me on my kitchen floor.

Mom, Ruthie and me doing the annual Christmas baking!

Philip, our eldest brother, was the last of us to arrive and we were SO SO SO happy to see him!

The four of us at Church... AJ none too thrilled.

Ruthie and Me

All six of us together at last!

Ruthie and AJ

Sunday lunch...

I live in a very old building, so I only have one pane of glass between me and the outside world- which causes some beautiful fanning of ice on the windows.

My Christmas tree... My living room...

We all took turns reading the Christmas story before opening presents.

We got mom a small but valuable present, so we wrapped it in several boxes so she would have a lot to open.

It was a mother's ring, with all our birthstones in order. That is something she has been wanting for years, and she finally got it!

curtains from India

I got Ruthie an entire set of China (one of those great finds you can't turn down!)

And dad got his favorite game!!!

I got a book...

more china....

Philip got a sweater- that FIT!!!

And then it was time for Christmas dinner and we got to eat off Ruthie's new China!!!

umm, umm good.

And finally dad did stockings for us all- one of the Lee family highlights!

And after all that, it was time for my puppy and me to take a nap!