A Country Christmas

I've included the word "country" in the title of this post because A) that is, indeed, where we were and B) that's the predominant subject of the pictures I've got. And that's not such a bad thing, because despite the cold, we enjoyed the beauty of dear old Calico Rock, AR, as much on this trip as we ever have. It really is "the natural state," and I love it more every time we visit.

Mer did the coolest thing with Keddi and Papa. They walked out to the back field, past the pond, into the forest...and cut their own little Christmas tree. Dad planted it in a perfectly red Folgers container and we had a great time decorating it with some of the ornaments that hadn't made the varsity tree this year.


Meredith was proud to show Tia Sarah her handiwork. Sarah appreciates these things.


So then some present opening ensued. Mer is an equal opportunity present opener. She just wants to open. Yours. Mine. Keddi's.


Meredith truly loved every present she got. Even the clothes. Each item had to be tried on immediately, which was slow and, I imagine, cold. But she insisted. Here she is, taking a break from the action while wearing several new items and playing with several new items.


Every guy needs a tiny toddler to shine a stocking stuffer flashlight directly in his eyes early on Christmas morning.


So, Christmas or not, there are fish that need catching.


We went down to the river to watch the boys fish. It was a sparkly, cold, clear day. It was hard to convince Mer that she didn't want to get in the water, but once she put a finger in, she got the message. The White River water is so cold, all the time, that you can't even jump in on a hot summer day after hours of boat fishing in the scorching sun. Well, you could. But I wouldn't recommend it. Water water everywhere...


Done fishing for the day.


After we deal with the fish, we move on to another important routine in the country:


...Feeding the birds. Papa has a giant bird seed stash and he loads up the equally giant Taco Bell cup so that Mer can feed the birds to her heart's content. She takes her work seriously. I, personally, find it a bit tedious to accompany her for the distribution of the entire cup. I kept asking Dad: "Really? The whole cup?" And he just patiently said, "Yup. That's how we do it." And that, my friend, is why grandparents will always be cooler than parents.


Speaking of cool: Uncle Mamoo always finds a way to make us proud. And we're not even being sarcastic. Especially when he's willing to play Ring around the Rosie with Meredith.


The snow didn't come ON Christmas. But it did come, and it was lovely. Treacherous for those poor family members stranded just 45 minutes away. But lovely.


Eventually, her feet were cold enough that a ride on Daddy's shoulders was welcome.


Later, we went for a run in the snow. Which changed to sleet. And then to very very very cold rain. And then back to beautiful snow. It was one of our best runs ever. Don't worry, Mer only accompanied us to the end of the drive, and then the wise-beyond-her-years girl went inside for hot cocoa.



And, finally, I tried out the tripod for the first time.


It was a very happy holiday.