Oh, how I've missed you!

If anyone is still reading this blog, my apologies for the long absence! I promise to be back with new enthusiasm in January. There are many pictures to post and stories to share, but here are a few highlights from the last few weeks:

• We've moved! We got the keys to our brand new house on Dec 13th and then it was a mad scrambled to get moved-in, new appliances/furniture delivered, and (partially) un-packed before...
• Our Christmas company arrived in the wee hours of the morning on 12/22. Dad, Diane, and Rob arrived and went promptly to bed after a 22hr marathon drive. They stayed with us and together we ate much food, played games, and went cross-eyed over jig-saw puzzles until they headed home on 12/30.
• We, in our enthusiasm to share our new home with family and friends, happily played host and hostess to many a guest! It was lovely! In the hectic moving period I managed to produce a small smorg of Christmas baking that expired only just as the last guest left! I swear that it was not unlike the loaves and fishes story! We were happy that the new kitchen and living areas passed the entertainment test, and the maiden voyage of the brand new septic system went without issue. Teehee. We celebrated on Christmas Eve with Casey's family--breakfast for dinner, lots of people, and many kids squealing and running around the house. Later that evening Jody and Nate & Becky came out to spend the night (Lance was sickly and joined us the next morning). It was lovely to all be together to share Christmas morning breakfast casserole and exchange gifts. Becky's in-laws joined us for dinner, and number of other guest popped by throughout the evening to visit. It was a long and wonderful day!
• We are puppy shopping...or at least talking about it! That's a first step!
• It was a white Christmas, and our yard still looks crisp and clean in its blanket of snow! Such a treat.

That's all for now! More to come when I can post some pictures!