The Anti-Santa Coalition

We've survived another round of holidays! Illinois was thickly coated in ice and about 40 degrees colder than southern Oregon, but we were grateful to be in warm kitchens, continually stuffing our bellies with Christmas delicacies. It was wonderful to see our families (brothers are missing from photos, but we love them, too)...

Between bouts of feasting, we pestered our forgiving families and frolicked with our beloved pets. Aren't they adorable?

Got some good presents...

Rachel went to Michigan to visit her cute cousins...

Jacob's family had a dinner party featuring the legendary Mariani meatballs...

...and then we reluctantly returned to Oregon, but quickly remembered that although we miss our friends and families, the stunning landscape and charming town provide considerable solace. We have been exploring the south end of town by bicycle, a challenging feat because it's on a continual incline up the mountainside, but with great reward of beautiful views and captivating byways.

But really, we miss everybody already.