two christmases.

'tis the season!

i flew into oklahoma city from seattle last weekend, perfect timing for family christmas there. saturday was the usual, shopping, baking, and relaxing around the house. we played some catch phrase, and christopher, aunt do and i dominated....chris and i have that brother sister thing going for us. the next day was the big meal, i know the spread by heart. we voted, and i think the stuffing is the favorite, closely followed by the peas and onions.

kristin's cheesecake- she has a catering business, so you know it was good.

the family! minus cousin bob.

then back to texas, where it was a very warm 78. i could hardly wait to get my running shoes on and hit the trails! the next few days i managed to accomplish all my christmas shopping, get in a few good jogs, and spend some quality time at starbucks, both reading and chatting with people. victoria and i grabbed lunch at chipotle and got pedicures, per our tradition every time we're home.

i baked up some molten lemon cakes for a non-traditional christmas dessert.

the dogs helped...

this house is decorated to the max- there was literally a parade of cars driving by to see it on christmas eve. it's like this all the way around, and the property is huge. apparently the light count is up 300,000 from last year.

aforementioned dessert, final product.

bacon wrapped green bean bundles, baked in butter and brown sugar. a crowd favorite, back by popular demand.

some of the family around the table for our new tradition, a post-meal board game.

pictionary was the game of choice.

and here we all are. there was a normal one taken too, but the candid one fits our true state much more appropriately...

so that was christmas. i decided that o holy night is my favorite song this season; we sang it every week of advent at mars hill, and at the part that says "fall on your knees," i always picture a booming choir and raging organ pipes. i've never paid such attention to the words before, so full of truth. i was thinking this morning how thankful i am that the Lord is personal. that he hears our prayers. that he can identify with us because he came as a man to experience life on earth. that his words are not only applicable, but powerful. that he knows how to provide for us because he knows precisely what we need. that he makes good on his promises. that his character is unchanging. that in Jesus, he gave us a tangible picture of the invisible God. truth. i'm thankful for truth in a world that has none.

much love,
tracey

oh yeah, my other favorite song is "all i want for christmas is you." sing it mariah; i crank that thing up and belt it out.