How do I celebrate love at home, without getting homesick?

I'm not ready to say that it was the best Christmas, ever...  but it will certainly stand out in the top five best evers!  Pictures speak louder than words...  so hear ya' go!

The Gazebo at Ft. Monroe, on Christmas Night, 2011
(Missing Happy, who took the photo!)


Preparing for Christmas is, I think, an important key to enjoying Christmas.  This year, while living in Vernetta's beautiful home, we took part in the neighborhood tradition of lining the streets and driveways with old fashioned luminaries.

Lighting our luminaries on Christmas Eve, 2011
Most were still burning on Christmas morning as we collected them
before leaving for Church.

The sister missionaries (one from St. George, one from Highland, and one from our hometown -- who went to school with Paul and played lacrosse with Lacey) helped us with a special Christmas project.  They helped make our Christmas merry and bright!