No, we haven’t slipped away for a Christmas-week vacation.  My absence from blogging is due to house projects.  What started out as me saying, “John, I’d like to paint the powder room after Christmas,” has turned into much more in-depth redecorating.   I don’t have any pictures yet, and probably will not.  I am pathetic at before/after shots.  John has spent the week boxing supports in the basement and running electric for the overhead lighting.  I have also been painting the basement.  We have a guy coming next week to put the drop ceiling in.  The project that we started THREE years ago [finishing the basement] will hopefully see completion in 2012!!

It hasn’t been all work for the kids, however.  The big four were invited to sleep over at Nan’s house on 12/26.  Fifteen minutes after she asked they had their bags packed and were ready to GO.  This was the first time she has taken the four together and Tabitha’s first trip altogether.