A Month in Review!

When we last left off here on the family blog, just before Christmas,

we were anxiously anticipating the arrival of many of our loved ones;

and looking very forward to

all the fun we would have together!

And here we all are . . . 

(everyone but the photographer. : -)

 

 

Below are just a few of the photos taken during the month! 

 

On Sunday, the 22nd,

Timmy won this Bible at church for a

Scripture memorization challenge from our pastor!
Way to go, Timmy!

 

Lovin' lots of homemade goodies!

 

 Cinnamon rolls in the making . . .

Lots of Kodak moments!

 Enjoying time with Aunt Kelley!

 Having lots of fun playing in the packages!

 Pretty sisters on Christmas morning!

 

 Soooooo enjoyed having Richie and Lydia with us for many of the days!

 

Christmas feast! 

Lovin' the excitement of opening one present on Christmas Eve!

Enjoying our warm and cozy hats lovingly made for us by Lydia! 

 

What a blast we had playing "Reverse Charades"!

It is one of the best gifts we've received!

Thanks, Aunt Kelley!

 

 Practicing our "Virginia Reel" dance with McKenna! : -)

 There were many scrabble games and tournaments!

 And I think we tackled and finished FIVE 750 - 1000 piece puzzles!!! 

More gaming . . .

 

We enjoyed lots of yummy popcorn thanks to Richie's new popcorn maker!

 

Lydia has a wonderful way of making delicious homemade kettle corn!

Yum!

 

 Getting ready for a trip to the snow!!!

 

 Celebrating Daddy's birthday!

The boys enjoyed throwing confetti on him!

(They also made and dropped confetti at midnight on New Year's Eve!)

 

Daddy enjoyed receiving pictures from Joe on his birthday!

 We had fun going to the Tevis farm to see their new cows and rabbits . . .

 while Victoria and Caroline did some hoof trimming. 

And then we enjoyed watching the Seahawks playoff game with the all of the Tevises,

and Aunt Kelley over at Meemom and PapaBob's house!

 

 Well, there ya have it!

A little summary of our month!

There's lots more memories made and photos taken,

but that's probably enough for now!  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

From our house to yours . . . .  

we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

 

We pray you all will have a joyous time

of celebrating and focusing on the risen Christ,

who came as a babe to be our Savior and Lord!

 

And may 2014 be filled with many new blessings

as we rejoice in each day that the Lord has made,

and in the abundant life He has given!! 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Our family will be taking a break from the Internet

for a month or so now!

However, we'll still be thinking of you! : -) 

 

So Thankful . . .

 

 . . . for these two little stocking feet,

(Thanks, Lydia, for the warm and cozy "slippers!)

 
and for the sweet blessing
of being able to add another

Christmas stocking this year!

  

Thank you, Jesus! 

Worship and Fun Fellowship with our Church Family!

Last night was our church's annual Christmas "Talents" Program.

It's a special time of gathering with our church family and neighbors to worship our Lord

and fellowship together.

The vision is one of giving back,

and sharing the abilities and gifts

that have been given to us by the Lord,

to bring Him glory, and to be able to share His love and truth with others.

 

We pray that the theme of this year's program,  "Treasuring Jesus,"

was accomplished,

and that all who came to the program were very blessed!

 

Ted kicks it off with a welcome and introduction.

Then, Kyle opens with a prayer and the introduction to this year's "in-between-acts" quiz competition between the two sides of the congregation . . . Team 1 and Team 2.
This year's theme was "Christmas Carols!"
Kyle did a great job preparing this portion of the program
 and being the "M.C." for the evening.  

Here's one of the first questions . . . 

"The slightly demanding carolers in
"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
wouldn't go until they got some . . . "

 

Caroline accompanied Steve for this recitation.

"It is the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year." 
What is everyone telling you?

 

This is a choir that comes together from our church
and two other small, local churches. 
They are always really awesome!

 

Finish this line from "Winter Wonderland,"
"Later on we'll conspire, as we . . . " 

 

Valerie's "talent" that she contributed for the intermission!

 

 

 

In "Do You Hear What I Hear,"

what are the shepherd's words to the mighty king?

 

 

 Bowes/Tevis ladies and their daddy leading the congregation in

"O Come All Ye Faithful" just after the intermission.   

 

 

Finish this line from "Deck the Halls."
"Follow me in merry measure . . . "

"SVCC Hillibillies" singing about being "fishers of men"
to the tune of "Beverely Hillbillies"
being played on the banjo!
 

In the song "Let it Snow" what does the singer bring?

This was one of my favorites for a couple reasons.
1.  We helped him pull off his performance as a surprise for his mom . . .even printing a separate program just for her with his name and song omitted, so she had no idea that he was going to sing!
2.  He had an amazing voice, and sung "O Holy Night" beautifully . . .
at the young age of 16! 

One of the trickiest questions . . .
"In the song 'Twelve Days of Christmas' what does the 'true love' give on the third day of Christmas?"

Victoria and Valerie playing an "Amazing Grace" duet
for Steve's "The Old Violin" recitation. 

After all the acts were complete, our dear brother Gale did an awesome job summarizing the evening with a call for each of us to consider if we have received Jesus' free gift

of grace and salvation this Christmas season,

and "made room" for Him by surrendering our lives to His Lordship every day of the year!

Small-town Family Fun!

Our family always enjoys a small, hometown parade!

So last night we especially enjoyed the "lighted tractor" Christmas parade!

Our whole family, including Richie and Lydia, was able to be there,

and we really enjoyed returning a hearty "Merry Christmas"

to many of the parade participants as they walked by.   

 

 I wasn't able to get very many good pictures of the parade.

But there were a few churches that had nativity related floats,

and a few other various things other than tractors!

 Lots of "Merry Christmas"

abounded in our small town.

 After the parade, we enjoyed having dinner with Lydia and Richie at a little burger restaurant;

 and then drove through a park that had a fun light display. 

There were many signs saying "Merry Christmas" from various local businesses.

We couldn't help but chuckle though on this one from the local college.
 : -) 

 

 

Twelve Days Before Christmas!

1.  Thinking lots about all that Jesus has done for us, and praising God for His plan of salvation!

2.  Missing our sweet friend, Marilyn.   We especially miss her sweet smile and special wave as we would often pass one another on our country road.   Still can't imagine life without her.  Praying lots for Bob, and all their family, who miss her so much . . . especially during this Christmas season.  Also, honored and thankful to have a couple small parts in her upcoming Memorial service.

 

3.  Delivering two sets of triplet goat kids and bottle feeding two of them!

4.   Staying warm, huddled by the fire, spending time together as a family while working on a Christmas puzzle.

5.  Planning, preparing, and practicing for our church's annual "Christmas Talents" program and outreach this Sunday evening!
 

6.  Wondering if any other family members will get the stomach/abdominal virus we’ve been passing around; and thankful for, but hoping we can avoid another late night at the Pediatric after-hours clinic! 

7.  Enjoying receiving our friends’ and family’s Christmas cards, and possibly getting around to sending out our Christmas photo letter!

8.  Baking, shopping and wrapping for all the upcoming Christmas festivities!  
 

9.  Making lists and checking them twice for upcoming family meals and gift giving.  

10.  Looking very forward  to our precious family arriving soon from Oregon and Arizona, and all the fun times we’ll have together!    
 

11.  Meeting 10 families that are taking puppies home just in time for Christmas!

12.Trying to savor the moments we have been given with our loved ones in the midst of it all.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.  .  ."

James 1:17a