Pikkujoulu 2015

It was a different sort of year.  We were small in numbers but it was pretty joyous too.

There may have been some isolated missing Braeden tears shed (and not just by me).

I set the table with a cluster of tea lights and we we ate by candlelight.

The bread bowls were the last four available at the store.  They were a little too browned on top which began some commentary on the "bake."  We're newly fans of the Great British Baking Show.

Emma arranged the fruit.

Things like that make me feel like I am winning.  We ate a lovely dinner and enjoyed everything.

We watched part of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional for our "program."  Like I said, it was a different sort of year.

The kids opened their ornaments:

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, because:

Finally we had our treats.  Two kinds of cookies and six kinds of fudge (I had to cut really small pieces so I could try them all.)  I think Oreo is still my favorite.

More Great British Baking Show commentary ensued.  

I have my own Paul and Mary:

Imagine a lot of talking and with British accents.  These two little parrots are both good imitators.  

Here's Emma eating out of the side of her mouth...

...like Mary:

I had to ruin everything by insisting it was bed time.  The kids started quoting Arrested Development and I kept telling them to go to bed.  I think the fact that Adam and I were laughing so hard at their impersonations of Tobias and Job caused me to lose some credibility but they really needed to go to bed.  I know how things look when they don't get enough sleep.

And it isn't pretty.

So, Pikkujoulu was a happy night.  We laughed a lot and enjoyed our little tradition.  It was definitely not the same without Braeden.  We miss that kid.  He's happy though.  He is learning and progressing and there is nothing about that we don't love.  It's comforting to know he's happy there and we are happy here and we're still a family.  Forever.