Bear with me for another round of photo updates.

It's been 15 weeks since Steve left for this current deployment in the fall. We are down to the final 4-5 weeks, PTL!  We will be together as a family again by the beginning of February, Lord willing. If anyone is counting (and trust me, I am!), between this and the last deployment, we have been apart a year total out of the last 2 years.  Longer, if you add in TDY time. It's a very real--very likely--possibility this won't be the last deployment either. I try not to think too much about that. One day at a time!

At any rate, here a few shots from our past weekend. It was a busy one for us as I played piano for 3 services for the chapel. Christmas itself was nice and quiet, involving lots of food and naps.

All the children on Christmas Eve:

The girls and I. I never got around to taking one with all the kids! They changed their clothes too quickly after church

The traditional reading of the Luke 2 Christmas story with Grandpa and little Anna

Grandma and Anna watching a movie--complete with curlers

Anna showing some of her new duds:

 Grace doing same--she makes me laugh!

Gabe sleepily opening a Christian tee

Steve was so sweet to send some gifts for the kids to open. The neat thing is, we got a call from him right as we were opening gifts. Matt spoke with him while opening!

Here are the boys modeling the Oakley sunglasses Steve sent them

For the siblings--Mom and Dad were SO surprised and absolutely loved the digital camera!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!