Our "Blended" Family

As many of you know, we have a religiously "blended" home. With Lenore having been raised Jewish and Dusty being raised Methodist, we try to do a little bit of everything in our home with James.

The day we went to get our Christmas tree, was the second day of Hanukkah. We had brought the tree in the house just as it was getting dark and James was eager to light the Hanukkah candles! I'm so proud of him as he knows the prayers now, pretty much on his own and we do let him to light the candles (with adult supervision!!) I grabbed the camera and started to take pictures, as James lit the candles and recited the prayers. It wasn't until I was downloading the pictures into my computer, that I realized that James still had on his Santa hat that he had been wearing most of the day!!!!!

I guess there's no better proof of what a "blended" family the Ryans are!!!

Happy Holidays, one and ALL!!!!

This Year's Trip to the Christmas Tree Farm

Our annual trip to the Covered Bridge Christmas Tree Farm has become one of our favorite outings. The people who own it are wonderful, warm and friendly!! This year we went on December 12th.....a cold, snowy, wintery day which was just perfect for picking out our tree!! What fun we had!! Here are some of the pictures that were taken that day......

James loved feeding the Clydesdale, although he was a bit taken by it's size!! That's a big horse!!!


The horses' harnesses inside the barn.....

So many trees to choose from.....

When we started going to this tree farm, about 6 years ago, we were overwhelmed with the choices. Over the years, we've come up with a "system" to find our perfect tree each year! It works pretty well, but all three of us need to agree that which ever tree we pick IS it for the year. There's still a lot of wandering around and looking before a final decision is made!!

My favorite picture of James from that day! I love it so much that it's the header for our new blog, at least through the holidays!!!

James really doesn't like to have his picture taken these days, and often isn't all that cooperative....as is evident in the next two pictures with Mom and Dad!!!

Our tree chosen, James gets to work cutting it down......

And here's Dad, hauling it out to where the hay wagon will pick us up......

Our silly boy, on the hay wagon, going back up to the barn.....

Back at home that evening, decorating our tree!!!