After we were sufficiently stuffed, we opened some gifts. Barb looked chic in her trendy NYC scarf from Jill. 
Gene did not model his new undies!
I scored a Santa Mickey for my collection!
And Steve took home some cargo sweat knickers.
After, my mom, sis and I played with our handbell choir in three candlelight services at Newberg Friends. When we finally left the church about 9:30 p.m., it was foggy, frosty and gorgeous!
:)
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
I made a couple magnets with flowers on them.
Cousin Jordan made one for his girlfriend. Jennifer will love it!
It was a fun way to spend a vacation day!
Mom and Dad are happy she's home!
Viri's mom, Alejandra, spent two days cooking in the CE2 kitchen for Thursday's holiday enchilada feast. 
Lots of staff and students pitched in to help. 
Then we ate! 
What a fabulous way to learn about another culture during the holidays. Alejandra is wonderful - such a blessing to have her share her gift of cooking! 
Christian, a botanist, gave beautiful house plants. And Andy, who really loves to eat my brownies, gave me this awesome Perfect Brownie Tray... as seen on TV! I think he just wants me to make more treats :) 
1. In a food processor combine walnuts, peanut butter pieces, and chocolate pieces. Cover and process until mixture is coarsely chopped (or coarsely chop nuts, peanut butter pieces, and chocolate pieces with a knife and combine). Transfer mixture to a large bowl; set aside.
2. In a small heavy saucepan combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Bring to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Return to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low. Clip a candy thermometer to side of pan. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 236 degree F, soft-ball stage (should take about 10 minutes). (Adjust heat as necessary to maintain a steady boil.) Remove saucepan from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool 15 to 20 minutes or until slightly thickened.
3. Dip each pretzel into caramel mixture, covering about 2/3 of the pretzel. Let caramel drip off slightly. Spoon or roll some of the crumb mixture onto the caramel, pressing crumbs lightly into caramel with back of a spoon. Let stand on nonstick foil until caramel is set. Store in an airtight container between layers of wax paper in refrigerator up to 4 days or freeze up to 1 month. Makes 25 pretzel rods or 15 whole Bavarian pretzels.
I know a lot can change in a week+, but Intellicast is forecasting snow showers on Christmas in the Portland area! Could it happen three years in a row???? WOOHOO!!
After opening gifts, we posed for a group shot. We're such a good-looking group! (I know, I always say that) Poor Christine started with the best gift and ended up an enema kit - double pack ... 
Baby Jesse made his first appearance at the Wood house, donning the cool hat Brad bought for him. The boy figured he'd add to the image by flipping us the bird!
:)
A student introduced me to the coolest game ever. It's easy and fun and very addictive! I spent much of yesterday afternoon earning points as I taught my penguin to fly. Try it - you won't be sorry
Because it's been dry, we immediately took ours inside and decorated.
Sunday, my mom's community band held a holiday concert at Tigard High. Good thing the electricity came back on just before the event started! That's her standing in the back with the timpani:
:)
The goo immediately started wicking up the tree trunk and out the branches. Soon, tiny crystals began forming.
A couple hours later, the needles were really coming in.
When we returned to work the next morning, our little tree was full grown!
Kinda creepy... but really cool! If you want your own, click HERE.
My first task was making sure that Eryn was awake. She was after my flash went off!
By the end of the day, we were getting really goofy. We found this hat for Dad to wear next year:
:)