It snowed overnight and we woke up to a white Christmas. There’s the turkeys I told you about! Flying away from me in our front yard. Sometimes there are more than 30. Someday soon I think we’re all going to wish we’d never seen a wild turkey, but for now they are attractive and entertaining.

Della left Santa a carrot, a celery, an asparagus, a juice, and a dictated note:

In return, Santa left Della this under-the-sea message. We asked her, What does it say? She said, It says Santa’s not coming. 

Christmas Eve at Snowbasin. Santa’s sleigh coming down the ski hill. Della in the Santa hat.

Here we are, and here I am, trying to do the sorority squat, looking like Dr. Frankenstein’s assistant. But I’ll set my vanity aside.

This was the scene Christmas morning.

We are at the front end of an epic, extended, excellent Utah Christmas vacation.

George, difficult on land, is an angel in the sky. Corina said on our flight from DCA to Denver, “This is one of the best days of his life. He’s never been so happy.” If he could sit in my lap for all time, he would probably win a peace prize.

Snow!

Sledding at the old Nordic Valley house. This is the gently rolling sled hill of my childhood!

Della said, “My boots! They’re gone!” when her feet sunk into the weeds and snow at the hill bottom.

Inflating a snow tube.Della does a lot of singing and talking about Baby Jesus. She barks out Christmas carol orders, and Bappa Mike plays, tirelessly, Rudolph and O Christmas Tree and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. (And Happy Birthday Baby Jesus.)

Uncle Paul tries to get some respect and to not get the worst bedroom in the house just because he is single.

Watching front-yard turkeys. The turkeys are taking over! Turkey photos to come, I hope.

Before the snow, a nature walk and wheelbarrow/wagon ride.

Hawk watching.

Merry Christmas, suckers! 

George eating cranberries and popcorn off the tree.

Della wearing last Halloween’s santa costume. She says she is Mary, I am Baby Jesus, Nanny Rose is Joseph, Steve is a donkey, George is a camel, and Bappa Mike is a cow.

She wants ice skates. She thinks you only get one thing.

George looks like a little boy. He can’t really say anything but he can say, “Go Big Red!” 

Della finger-dipping Corina’s Nutella on toast.

She calls the beads her shadows.

Della and George eating tortellini on the living room floor watching Peter Pan Live!. Della calls him “Peterman,” and he is a thing now.

New jammies!

Della decorated these beautiful cookies.

This is Della watching a Christmas thing.

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This is George more sleepy than I’ve ever seen him.