December turned out to be a very rough month for the Crapo family. I was one of the co-chairs for our elementary school's annual Holiday House. All of the kids come to "shop" for their immediate family for free. The kids love it but it's a big undertaking. There was a small amount of stress involved. Of course, Charlotte's birthday coincided with the day of Holiday House set-up. It also coincided with Neil and then Madoc getting the stomach flu. Poor Madoc threw up ten times before the day was over. Then I got it two days later and had to bail on the Holiday House, leaving one poor co-chair to handle it all. It took a full two weeks apiece to get over it. Needless to say that most of my Christmas plans went out the window, including my Christmas cards. But if they had made it into the mail, this is the picture I would have put in.

My cute little munchkins in all of their Christmas finery. Don't  you love the green grass in December? That's the desert! (And a lot of irrigation)

Just a few ornaments

 Every year we have our annual tree decorating party. The kids enjoy hot chocolate and putting all of the ornaments in the same spot while I stress over whether or not they're about to step on something and break it. Charlotte was asleep for this but the big kids enjoyed it.

Thanksgiving

Oh, my goodness. Thanksgiving was so long ago I hardly remember it. I do however remember this beautiful pie that Neil made. I think it's one of his most elaborate steam vents yet (it's a cornucopia and a little turkey).  Dinner at my in-laws was delicious and as usual there were too many pies. My kids didn't mind though. Sadie found out that she likes lemon.

 After Thanksgiving we went to Big  Basin to see the redwood trees. The road to the park is in the mountains and about the windiest road I've been on. I won't be going on that road ever again.

 Charlotte enjoyed the trees from Neil's back.

 All four of my rowdy people on a giant stump

the two big kids and me inside of a burned out tree