Christmas Lights

John decorated this year.

Christmas

BEFORE

MIDDLE

AFTER

A good time was had by all - Tim got lots of Legos, Rachel got her papasan chair and a kindle, and Betsy got *lots* of Hello Kitty.

Betsy Meets Santa

She told him she wanted "Toys."

Around the House

The old living room can be seen in my September 27 post - here is the brand new pretty one! I especially love the purple chair in the lower left corner.

My mantel looks different every Christmas - this is my favorite, so far.

These angels came out of my grandparents house - my mother bought them when we lived in Germany.

This year's tree.

Another prize from Germany. I got this tiny painted pewter angel the Christmas I was 8. I have kept up with it for 32 years - it is even on the same piece of thread.

It's working so far

BEFORE

AFTER

Thanks to Groupon, Rachel had a Brazilian Blowout keratin treatment today. It is supposed to keep her hair straight and manageable for the next 3-4 months. It looks gorgeous, so I hope so!

Halloween

Tim as Cad Bane - a bounty hunter from _Star Wars: The Clone Wars_

Rachel is Raven - a goth character from one of her books

The whole crew

Well, We Didn't Have One of These, Either

Now, I have two!

And, at 42 inches, they are notably taller than Miss Betsy.

Halloween Preview

She's a butterfly (from _The Very Hungry Caterpillar_.)