A Full Heart (and a full belly)

The most beautiful tree that I've ever seen...

...a quiet room anticipating the squeals of delight made by the still-sleeping children...

...it was a time for the Rays to gather and celebrate the birth of Jesus.
So gather, we did at Adam's country place in hills of Tennessee,
although we were missing a couple of teenage boys.

It had been a long time since just the four of us sat down at the dinner table together...
...a rare photo op to be sure! :)



There were musical instruments, birthstone earrings, microscopes and knives...

...fuzzy socks, squirrel feeders, a little of this and a little of that...
and yes, even the whole seven season set of the Dukes of Hazzard!

Don't even ask.

But this is no joke...

Adam had this hammer engraved for his brother to commemorate the date of his sobriety.

(you may want to click to enlarge it to see better)

It took a few moments for the lumps in our throats to clear.

It felt like spring outside as the fog rose up out of the hollow.

~

We then all hopped in the pick-up for a Christmas morning field trip to the shed down below,
 to see what "Santa" had left for Parker and Olivia there.

I know you can't see what's on the box...
...but let me just say that when there are six hands working together in unison,
assembling the trampoline was a piece of cake!

 

I'm not sure who was having more fun...can you guess?

Spring weather also calls for spring chores!

Aaron was in his element as he "gifted" his brother with a nice, smooth driveway...
...all half a mile of it :)
~
And although we were eating all weekend long,
the Cinnamon Roll Casserole that we had for breakfast was the pièce de ré·sis·tance...

...and oh so easy too!

Here's the recipe:

2 cans cinnamon rolls
4 eggs
1/2 cup milk
cinnamon
maple syrup

Take rolls from cans and cut into quarters and place in greased 9x13 inch pan.
Beat together eggs and milk then pour over rolls.
Sprinkle cinnamon and drizzle the maple syrup over all, to your own taste.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
When finished baking, drizzle melted icing over the all.
Oh. My. Goodness.

And of course, bacon makes everything better, right? :)
Now that it's all over, I am SOOO ready to cleans my body of all the junk food!
Can I get a witness?
~
Yes, it was a Merry Christmas, indeed.

Let earth receive her KING! 

Let every heart
Prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing!

Love,