The joy and anticipation of Christmas can be seen in the eyes of children.
Little helpers help make the family celebration.
Ice lanterns bring a warm light into the yard.
The first six months of blogging has been an incredibly positive and inspiring experience. Thank you for reading and following along.
May your holiday be peaceful and full of joy.
tableofcolors 
I love your ice lanterns – we tried to make them too but we couldn’t find candles that burned despite the wind… Any suggestions?
Enjoy your Christmas! 🙂
We are enjoying our Christmas! I use an oil candle that is meant for outdoor use. It is handy since it burns for 2-3 days depending on the size.
Thanks, and happy hollidays to you too. Nice photos.
Thank you!
Enjoy your Christmas with your beautiful family. I always love the faces of little ones at this time of the year…they are so eager for the celebration to arrive.
Yes, they certainly bring the spirit of Christmas for the adults too!
Well, it may be too late, but steam pudding and cranberry cake may be coming your way on Christmas day. Maybe better late than never. Love, Grampa
Sounds wonderful! I was thinking to make steam pudding for Christmas but ran out of time. Merry Christmas and lots of hugs from us! Love Laila
Thank you for your wonderful, warm, genuine, inspirational, and sincere blog. Your passions are seen within every single one of your posts. I am looking forward to your blog in 2013. I hope you and your loved ones have a joyous and peaceful holiday!
Thank you Judy for your nice comment. I have really enjoyed your blog as well. May your New Year be beautiful and bright.
Aaah, such precious photos! Ice lanterns? How do you make those? They are so pretty.
Thank you! The ice lanterns are easy if you have some cold weather.(at least about -5- -10 C) Fill buckets with water and let them sit outside overnight. In the morning bring them inside and turn them upside down running some hot water over the bottom of the bucket until the ice lantern falls out. The top of the lantern will have a thin layer of ice that I remove and pour the unfrozen/remaining water from the inside out. Bring outside and place a candle inside.
I don’t think it will ever be cold enough to do that here. But what a wonderful thing to do be able to do.
Those ice lanterns look so beautiful — I would love to try making them! And of course your little helpers are gorgeous too! A very Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you! The ice lanterns are easy if you have some cold weather.(at least about -5- -10 C) Fill buckets with water and let them sit outside overnight. In the morning bring them inside and turn them upside down running some hot water over the bottom of the bucket until the ice lantern falls out. The top of the lantern will have a thin layer of ice that I remove and pour the unfrozen/remaining water from the inside out. Bring outside and place a candle inside. 🙂
You’re raising 2 cherubs! May you all have a wonder-filled Christmas and every happiness in the New Year!
Thank you for your well wishes! I actually have 5 little cherubs enjoying Christmas! We have been enjoying a peaceful holiday.
thanks for sending such wonderful info and pictures…..we love seeing you this way….over a cup of coffee nd one of your marvelous goodies would be much better of course
love to all of you ….. auntie carole
Yes, seeing in person would always be better but this is the second best way. Hope you have a relaxing holiday! Hugs to everyone!
The ice lanterns are gorgeous and magical. And your kids are adorable.
Just a quick visit to greet you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. 🙂
Thank you so much! A very happy New Year 2013 to you and yours!
Beautiful, precious children!
Merry Christmas to you all.
Thank you! May your New Year be wonderful!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Lovely photos
Thank you! Happy holidays to both of you!
Gorgeous photos =) especially the kids. So cute!
Thank you so much!