Not a white Christmas at all

This is Jon. It's been way too warm for late December. We've had three very trivial dustings of snow since November, and beside one week where the temps were single digits, the weather has been unseasonably balmy. It's even been high 40s a few days. Rain, snow or sun, we've routinely gone on Christmas Eve hikes with the girls and this year was no exception, walking along the Yakima River.

We were playing hide and seek and Adelyn and I took it up a notch in our hiding. With the river receding a bit during the wintertime, Adelyn found a hidden spot by jumping down off the trail and into the dry riverbed, hiding underneath a tree since the dirt has been washed away from years of erosion. Very proud, but a bit concerned for what antics she'll continue to pull.

The girls writing their letters to Santa on Christmas Eve. Both girls had many questions for the big man, but Delaney really grilled him.

Adelyn putting out the special oats for the reindeer along with carrots and water. And yes, those are cowgirl boots she wears with her satin pajamas.

The finished letters to Santa with milk and homemade peppermint patty candy.