It's the most wonderful time of the year....and it's really cold!

The last few days we've been waking up to really coooold temperatures. This morning it was -18 when we got up and yesterday was similar to that with the wind chills down into the negative 20's and 30's. We have 1/2 thick frost on the inside of most of our windows and we've also tacked up a blanket in front of the least insulated door - it blows as the winds seeps in through the cracks. This house isn't exactly well insulated! There's no need for anyone to write and tell me how much colder it is where they are - I spent many winters in Canada and Maine and I know it can get much colder, but this is the coldest it's been in SD since we moved here. Here's a couple bad pictures as proof=)

Matthew stayed home from church yesterday with our two youngest who are quite sick, Chad stayed home for the same reason. Matthew himself is not feeling well either and if things go as usual, it will run it's course through all of us - just hopefully not start back through again like it sometimes does! Anyway, after the rest of us got home from church we had lunch then set up the Christmas tree. I'm much later than usual decorating this year. After getting back from Chile I just didn't want to deal with the chaos of another mess....it's taken a while to get in the Christmas mood when I'm still longing for the warm, sunny days we enjoyed in Lican! But we put on the Christmas music and began the process....Some more willing than others!

Matthew, we'll rate him as not very excited about it but willing just the same, was in charge of getting the tree up and the lights all functioning.

Logan, helped for a while then disappeared to make his own homemade ornament.....very special!

Alana, definitely very excited and put on the most ornaments of anyone, often all on the same branch=)

Zachery, same as Matthew, but he did what he was told ~ although he acted like quite the goofball!

Monica, the usual willing helper, and not to mention 'creative'.

Chad and Kendrick, completely useless.

And me, well, I was in my usual role of 'chief coordinator', telling everyone else what to do=)