Which way to the North Pole?

Uncle Brian teaches Shiori to use a compass so she can find her first letterbox.
We were rich in relatives over the Christmas holidays. We were able to see all of Brian's parents, his sister and his niece. It was great to have all that family time but not travel. Next year it's our turn I guess. We spent a ridiculous amount of time hanging out, talking, playing games and watching movies. We took a walk finally to get some fresh air and decided to introduce Shiori to letterboxing, which she seemed to enjoy (if it wasn't for the cold).
All of the kids were in attendance, including Sarah and her boyfriend Cody. Cody had to survive the holidays with no football on TV but he seemed to whether the family baptism fine.

What's big and green and smelly all over?

Winter still hasn't arrived in Redmond but there was plenty of snow in the hills beyond Sisters, where we got our tree. It took a half-mile walk down a snow-packed road, another slog through knee-deep snow up a hill but we came away with two good firs -- one for my office and one for us. The one for us was the fattest tree imaginable, much fatter then it was tall. It was great for all of our ornaments but it dominated our living room in a major way.
Travis and his girlfriend Brandi, along with Jessie, try to make a sledding outing out of our annual tree hunt.

Turkey omlettes anyone?

Kristin, as usual, took copious naps during her visit. I swear -- either that girl never sleeps or we are stupifyingly boring.

Brian, Aunt Lana, Granny Gram enjoyed looking at Brian's digital photos on his computer Thanksgiving weekend. We had a houseful with most of the Hole/Brumbaugh clan in attendance. Travis and Kristin held reign as the only teens in house and Jessica and Josh were able to drop by for a few hours (it was their Thanksgiving to spend with their Mom). After dinner it looked like none of the food had been touched --we had that much. Nearly everyone dispersed right after the holiday and we spent the next week trying to eat all the leftovers.