One more year, one more memory. This year, Christmas in Woodinville was added to the list of reasons we love being home. After all these years of summer holidays in the Pacific Northwest, we realized the boys have never been in Washington during the winter. They’ve never seen the low, grey mist that settles over the valley at this time of year, or settled down to read in the overstuffed chairs next to the piano, or watched movies next to the fireplace. They’ve never seen the houses on Oma and Opa’s street decorated in lights, or been at their Aunt and Uncle’s house to open presents with their cousins on Christmas day.

The week went by too fast, but not without plenty of time for all the things we love most about Christmas with our family. Advent candles, See’s candy, roaming through Haggen to find seven fishes, Larsen’s Kringle, church communion, mom playing the piano, dad playing the bagpipes, an early morning walk and a gingerbread latte, and Landon making videos with the new puppy. Noelle was constantly giving everyone hugs, and I got to sleep with her on Christmas Eve! We even fit in a few days of skiing, and spent a glorious morning throwing snowballs and building snow slides in Leavenworth.

The kids made gingerbread houses and decorated cookies (Oma made some weird alien ones), and everyone helped put together the puzzle (even though Jaclyn cheated). And of course, what would a trip to Woodinville be without at least two nights of Mexican food?

The boys drove around Lake Washington to pay a visit to UW’s boathouse, and Mike was on a mission for eggnog. Eggnog is questionably delicious, but always more delicious in a reindeer mug! And of course, Dad has honed the best technique for opening champagne….

Meanwhile, over in Finland, this was happening….

Even from the polar ends of the earth, we are a family sharing our lives and our loves. We are so thankful for another fantastic holiday to keep our memories warm in the year ahead .