Four generations under the tree...

A favorite holiday tradition in our home is the "sleep under the tree night," typically held three or four days before Christmas. When our kids were younger this was the favorite night of the season. More recently the celebration fell on hard times. Children were out town--or out of the country. Several members of the family, too dignified now to sleep under a Christmas tree, left the floor for their beds in the wee hours. Other homes (containing other young men and women) beckoned enticingly. It was becoming a bit depressing

But the birth of Micaiah David to our eldest son Nathan and his wife Aleaha changed all that. Now there are little ones in our midst as we go through the evening of finger foods, games, hiding the pickle in the tree, etc. The joy of a toddler enlivens the whole evening, bringing our sleep-under-the-tree tradition back with a vengeance.

This year we had the privilege of our dear friend (and wonderful photographer) Kerri Varner coming over and taking pictures throughout the evening. Also joining us for a portion of the evening were our friends Andrew and Andrea Van Engen and their beautiful daughter, Adelle.

Above is a picture of four generations of Baylys Kerri took that evening: Mud, me, Nathan and Micaiah. It has been a great joy having Mud live with us, now for almost seven years. My dear Cheryl has loved and cared for Mud beyond my ability to describe. I am grateful to God for a wife who, in her love for my mother, has never once complained of her presence in our home. As Mud has gone downhill with Alzheimers, Cheryl has risen both in holiness and in my esteem and love.

Below is a more typical picture of the evening: the kids wrestling under the tree....