Presents under tree: check. Flannel pants and hot chocolate: check. Entire table covered with cookies, fudge and pies: check. Festive gingerbread train: check.

Danielle and i (and Ferris, and our mound of luggage, and my now-filthy pathfinder, and the gingerbread train) are home and ready for a fun, relaxing family holiday. We survived the rain, the fog, the mountain passes and the odor of spokane yesterday. I hope everyone else has safe travels this weekend and a joyful Christmas practicing whatever traditions you traditionally do. If you’re so inclined, be thankful for all that you’ve been blessed with and pray for peace in our homes and in our world.

Our Christmas crew is on the road!