More Durham Time!

Of course one of the best parts of family time and holidays is the opportunity to do some recipes together! especially ones that we don't normally do during the year, like DONUTS!! As in our childhood days, making donuts is quite a long process but worth it: many hands get involved, the kitchen is a hub-bub, and everybody gets glaze on their cheeks from eating the soft, warm donut holes...

Lillian was Jim's diligent and careful helper with decorating the donut holes. She was very helpful in the kitchen all week - she and Jim also did cinnamon rolls together, and she helped multiple times with dinner preparations.

Several evenings P&R came over for gift unwrapping - and the 1st annual sibling dinner showdown. Well, that sounds more competitive that it really was; the reality was that four evenings we shared in a full meal prepared by one of the four sibs. Hear, hear! If we do this next summer, Pete is already scheduled for ribs. Right?!

This marks two Christmases in a row that Lillian and I have done a gingerbread house together. She was very careful and did a really great job!

Even on chilly days we tried to get out and down to the park (so we didn't drive each other crazy in the house). Lillian ran around chasing and talking to other kids; Jack trundled around checking out all the playground equipment & communal trucks; and the three younger ones were happy in the swings - Gemma's first time at Oval Park! (she was smiling and giggling during it, though she looks serious in the photo)

Both Wes and Asher liked going over to Gemma and patting her arm or showing her some toys. (We missed you, Daniel Arthur!) Watch out, next time she'll be crawling and catching up to you.