Happy New Year!

It's a new year! God has blessed us with another year of life, and we are thankful. 

I've been reading an online daily devotional called Solid Joys by Desiring God Ministries, and a day or two ago there was a reflection on the end of the year as a mini-death in which we should all take time to consider how we will face our coming death. Will it be with fear and despair? Or with grace and hope - hope in the Lord Jesus? 

Do we face this new year with hope? Hope of victory over sin because of Jesus? Or do we make resolutions expecting to despair when we can't follow through?

Well, we won't follow through with them perfectly. We won't live out our Christian life sinlessly. But by God's grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can have victory over the sin that still lives in us because of JESUS. He is our warrior king. He has conquered sin and death on our behalf, and now we can live in His righteousness. Praise God!

We started the new year with some Cherry Almond Scones - YUM!

We began this tradition last year, and it sure is a yummy one! It seems that so many of our traditions revolve around food here, but...what can I say? We like good food!! 

Christmas was a fun day with family visiting. Lots of presents, lots of food, lots of fun!

Grandma rolled out the dough for Christmas
Eve stromboli.

The kids were checking out the stockings.

Cousin!

Cousin!

Trying out the new mini-air hockey table

Sweet Potato Casserole - my favorite!

Chef Elsa

Grandma with Cousin C

The poor sick baby

She wasn't such a happy girl on Christmas (or the rest of the week).

Later this week we had a lovely tea hosted by Lady Bowes-Lyon (Grandma). We all dressed up a little and enjoyed a fun time of fake names (Lord L. Jackson, Baron David Cade, Princess Elsa-Stephen, and Countess von DeSha), "grown-up" conversation topics, and tasty treats.

Crackers w/ cheese and Cranberry Macaroons

Caroline learned to clap this week. And she has slept through the whole night several times giving us hope of undisturbed nights in our future. She is also now on the move, though not exactly crawling. It's more like crawling backwards. But either way, the Legos and Playmobils that dominated the Christmas gifts this year are no longer safe on the floor!