After dropping Jake off at the airport last Sunday, we picked up a wonderfully smelling tree and decorated it into the night, with Handel’s Messiah playing in the background.

The boys were in charge once again, putting up lights, ornaments, garland, beads, and the village underneath to complete it all.

Some of our ornaments are from Jim’s growing-up years. As the kids were gleefully placing ornaments on the tree, Jim stopped everyone, held up a big glass ball with “Jimmy 1977” written in glitter. As he held it up proudly in front of him, he exclaimed, “All I have to say is…JIMMY 1977!” Then, with everyone’s gaze on the ornament, it dropped from the hook, fell on the hardwood floor and broke into several pieces. There was utter silence, then Derek replied, “Well…so much for Jimmy 1977.” You’ll be happy to know that Jim successfully superglued the red ball back together and it is hanging on the tree once again. Ahh, family memories.

Another way we kicked off the Christmas season was by making a hospitality wreath.

It’s easy and fun, and makes people happy. Just glue pieces of candy onto a wreath

and hang it by the front door for guests to pull off and eat when they come over!

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9)