First Winter's Snow...

We had our first proper winter snow over the past weekend. (Saturday, 12th January.) It was fun to wake up to a winter landscape and spend a few minutes playing outside later in the day. :) The temperatures were actually quite pleasant and, helped by some rain, the vast majority of the snow has now melted.

 Looking west with the pond to the left.

 Snow-covered vehicle.

 Candace pulling Eliza in the sled.

 Snow ball fight with Riaan.

 My pretty girls!

 Happy boy playing in the snow!

 Snow ball fight!

 Rusty loved it too! :)

New Year's Walk...

We started a family tradition several years ago, by taking a walk together on the first day of the new year. We continued that tradition this year, by walking along the gravel road that runs past our place. It was rather cold, but fun nonetheless!

Cherry Ghost Music Fun...

Riaan and I had a guy's night out on Friday, 28th December. We went to our favourite haunt, the Cherry Ghost Coffee House, and enjoyed listening to our friend Dan's live music. We also played cards and spent time with friends. It was a lovely evening!

Hanging out with friends.

Enjoying the live music.

 Playing Uno. :)

The boys together! :)

Gorgeous Sunset...

I caught a sunset while I was working one Thursday evening in late December. It was quite brilliant and the whole town was basked in a golden pink glow!

Spectacular sunset!

Christmas Day...

We had a pretty quiet Christmas day, largely spent at home as a little family of four. Riaan opened a couple of presents and we also put our shoes out for Father Christmas the night before. This is a tradition that we first heard about while with Mercy Ships on the Africa Mercy. It happens every Christmas on the ship. Crew members place a shoe outside their cabin door on Christmas Eve and it is filled up with goodies on Christmas day. :) It is a European tradition that comes from the celebration of Saint Nicholas Day, and we are introducing it into our little American-South African family here in Indiana! :) We also made sure that the day was centred around the story of the Nativity, and how God sent his son Jesus to earth to restore our relationship with Him. :)

 Eliza's present - a quiet (or busy) book made by Candace. :)

 Riaan opening a present. :)

A house decorated with Christmas lights in Washington.

Christmas Eve Dinner...

We continued our family tradition of celebrating Christmas with a delicious meal on Christmas Eve. We enjoyed roast chicken, roast veggies, peas, and stuffing, followed by (fruit) mince pies with brandy butter and a proper Christmas pudding. We even poured brandy over the pudding and set it on fire, which is a Christmas tradition in many Commonwealth countries. It was a fun evening spent as a family. :)

 Riaan and Eliza.

 Candace pouring the brandy over the Christmas pudding.

 The flaming pudding! :)

 Yummy Christmas pudding with brandy butter. :)

 Mince pies!

Family selfie together. :)

Miller Family Christmas...

We met up with Candace's side of the family to celebrate Christmas on Sunday, 23rd December. We enjoyed opening presents and stockings, and eating a yummy meal together. It was a fun afternoon! :)

 Opening one of his presents.

 Riaan playing with his cousin Lincoln.

 Baby cousins together. Eliza (left) is the oldest by about four months but is the smallest, too. :)

Most of the cousins together with their stockings. :)