Rebecca wears glasses, Julia does, too.

Mommy is lovely, Sarah is, too.

We all love each other and so you see,

Everybody gets a kiss from me!

(Eliza's version of the song, "We are a happy family"

(December 29) "Mom, When is it going to be Christmas? I wish it were Christmas everyday!" -Peter

(From her cell phone, in the garage) "Hey. Mom. It's really cold out here in the car. Could you stop blogging and come out here?"--Sarah

(Lane, Jan.3, upon finding out that I had made lunch for myself and the children, but none was left for him:) "That's O.K. I know how to fend for myself." (Note: Thank GOODNESS.)

(Peter, Jan.4, at dinner, with a large piece of ham in his mouth) "I'm having fun with ham."

(Anna, Jan.4, while I'm typing) "I'm really busy coloring!"

(Peter, sitting next to me on the couch, Jan. 5) "Mom, you have a flower on your ear!" 

"It's an earring, Pete."

"Wow...Coool."

Ah friends, dear friends,
As years go on and heads get gray,
How fast the guests do go!
Touch hands, touch hands,
With those that stay.
Strong hands to weak,
Old hands to young, around the
Christmas board touch hands.
The false forget, the foe forgive,
For every guest will go
And every fire burn low
And cabin empty stand.
Forget, forgive,
For who may say that Christmas day
May ever come to host or guest again.
Touch hands!
~ William Henry Harrison Murray