Christmas!

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Nothing, nothing, makes a merry Christmas like talking to your son/brother halfway across the world.
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On Christmas Eve, we gathered around the computer for an hour and a half to laugh and tease and ask a hundred questions (Mary had a list prepared). Stefan’s doing so well; he’s so happy. 
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But when he hung up, we all cried.
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Once we’d recovered and eaten pasta and such, Mary presented her gifts:
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pajamas! Made by Mary for each brother and daddy, too.
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They surprised her by immediately taking off their pants and trying on the new pajamas.
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The boys complimented her over and over on her excellent worksmanship. She’d spent most of her spare moments since October working on this surprise and she soaked up all their kind words like a plant thirsty for water.
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Christmas morning the boys were still in pjs as they opened their stockings. Santa rarely varies at our house: chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate, plus a toothbrush.
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new church shoes
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bow ties are cool
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Ben gifted each sibling with a box of sugared cereal– always a favorite present.
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Ben and Hans wearing all their Christmas gifts.

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The Art of Manliness

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Requesting a pocket for his new pjs, Ben watched,
then learned.
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taking all her babies for a walk 
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a migraine knocked me out early in the day, so I didn’t take any more photos. Nestled on the couch, my head hid under a blanket I reveled in the sound of their laughter, occasional arguments and general merriment. I don’t want to turn off the lights or take down the tree; I don’t want this season to end.

December 31, 2013

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5 Comments

  1. Michelle

    December 30, 2013

    Tell Mary I am SO impressed. The PJs look awesome, and how thoughtful was that?

    Sorry about your migraine…you have my empathy. These photos that you did take took my breath away, though.

    As usual. Your Christmas photos are always *magical*. The lights…oh, the lights. The joy…oh, the joy. The love…oh, the love.

  2. Noémi Kereki

    December 30, 2013

    Miss Mary! I can’t believe (Ok, of course I can!) how gorgeous you are! You HAVE to teach me to sew one day! Shortly, hopefully. Your Christmas looks magical! Tooth fairies love you and take care of you all! 🙂
    xoxo,
    Noémi

  3. Denise Schild

    December 31, 2013

    Pajamas for all the boys and plaid to boot, she is good! Beautiful photos as usual. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  4. Tracy

    December 31, 2013

    This post made me cry. I can barely type for the tears. I love you guys so much. This is joy. xo

  5. ellen

    January 1, 2014

    I love that Mary sewed them all pajama pants! And is that a MIT shirt I see?!? 🙂

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