Flash back to before Christmas

A couple weeks before Christmas we strung popcorn and cranberry chains for the birds (although we discovered they only liked the popcorn and if we hung them too low on the fir in the front yard, Molly enjoyed the popcorn instead). 

Nora snuck up on the table when my back was turned.  She loves popcorn and probably figured she could eat it faster if I didn't check the pieces for hard kernels first.  That, and she likes to climb. 

We added Cheerios because I thought that'd be easier for Karl but he was even game to string the cranberries (ouch!)

December 5 - a beautiful sunny day with NO SNOW.  Very unusual for up here. 

It was a great day for digging garden carrots.

And for biking.

And for playing at the park.

One of my only photos of Matt with his beard.  How did I not get a better record of that?

On December 12 the kids built gingerbread houses with their babysitter while Matt and I took part in the annual "Home for the Holidays" house tour in Chassell.  Friends of ours had their house on the tour this year and Matt had recently put a new floor in for them.  It was interesting and felt a little strange to be touring private homes all decked out for Christmas.  I don't know that we'd do it again but it was a fun date and the kids love having their babysitter over. 

Clare would often come home from school and just need some chill time to herself before joining her siblings and I in our daily routine.  She loves playing outside, especially in the winter, so often she'll throw her backpack into the porch and head back outside.  Sometimes I don't even realize she's come home until I peek out and see the backpack.  There are days when she wants Molly as a playmate and days when Molly is a nuisance.  On the days she wants Molly to stay in, Molly is a nuisance in the house, whining at the door to be let out.  Molly can't stand it if her people are outside and she's not.