While downloading the camera memory card the other day these cute photos appeared. These are not the only ones..there were a lot of very unflattering ones of all of us.
Imagine from an 8 year old height and you get the picture.
Actually you don't – they won't be making it to this blog!!!! Though I must say my back side is not as big as I imagined.. 
Shania had set her Christmas gift of art supplies in a nice way and taken a couple of "display" photo's. Especially the paint palette which was her 'dream present'. Then during the rest of the day and evening she managed to sneak a whole bunch of photos onto the camera. I was so busy I didn't even notice her snapping away till later in the evening. Certainly not that she had taken so many.
Perhaps she needs her own camera next year….we may have a budding photographer on our hands! Especially once she learns about angles. 
So here are a couple of her favorites. I really like the pink croc's – another gift – with the Christmas fabric on her dress. She wouldn't take the croc's off all day, what a fashion statement
!
…of one year and the start of another.
We watched to little countdown ticker over on the right there while sitting out on the front porch. Freezing! Sparklers and throw downs took the edge off the cold and brightened up the cloudy evening as we prayed the new year in.
We pray that you are all blessed beyond belief and all is great in 2008.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
The weather has suddenly turned very cold. Well. cold for here anyway. Wonder if we will get snow?
The last couple of mornings it has been 5 or 6 celcius. Even in the middle of the day it has only been around 11 or 12c. Today the sun is out which after the last two days of overcast windy skies is very nice. The kids are loving the opportunity to play outside and have spent most of this morning climbing the tree in the front garden.
Meanwhile some of us are inside slaving away getting food ready for tomorrow. No – not really! In fact we have had a lovely couple of days of cooking and baking.
After rising early (5am) the last couple of days, and spending time with the Real Reason for the season I prepared some biscuit doughs. Later after breakfast, while I cooked Sticky Toffee Pudding for desert on the 25th, the children had a wonderful time making shortbread and gingerbread cookies. They have shared them with neighbours, and of course made sure we still had some. Homemade bread dough is in the fridge ready for fresh rolls to have with the pumpkin soup starter.
This morning I made a cinnamon pecan pull apart for breakfast on Christmas Day. We'll just pop it in the oven while the kids open their gifts and it will fill the house with that beautiful sweet aroma of spices. Fresh brewed coffee and we are all set! Yumm!!!
The roast beef is prepared and the turkey defrosted ready to cook.
Today everyone is helping peel potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and pumpkin. Add in the cauliflower and broccoli with cheese sauce, peas and corn and I think that covers it. What a feast! We have invited some others to come and share with us.
Some of us are so busy we need help eating the goodies!!!
The thing we love so much about this time is not the food – thought that is always good, but the time we spend together preparing to celebrate Christ's birth. Now it may not be His birthday..but the whole world stops for this one day. It transcends any other international celebration… other than perhaps Easter..and that's about Him too. Because we are all involved in the preparations together it affords time to talk. To chat about the meaning and value of this time. That gift is immeasurable, and infinitely better than anything you might find under the tree.
As you prepare we pray that you are truly blessed and feel His presence in every thing you do!
Happy Christmas to you all from the Desert Clan!
Chloe had a goal of not biting her fingernails for 6 months. To encourage her, a manicure and pedicure for her birthday was the prize if she accomplished it by then.
She did it!
Chloe's turn this time.
And of course we had to have another donut cake! Chloe isn't into cake much. Fortunately Krispy Kremes arrived in Kingdom and opened just around the corner last week. Or maybe that's a bad thing. Good for today though.
It is amazing how a dozen donuts, some fresh strawberries and cream, plus some mini snickers bars can look so good. It was scrummy!
It's that time of year! Too busy to post!
Hope you are all well and enjoying the season?
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