Christmastime in Leavenworth 2016!!

A few (So sorry . . .I think there are actually 88 pictures here!) photos from day one in Leavenworth! 

This first one is when we first starting seeing SNOW!!! Yay for snow!! 

We stopped to play in the snow at White Pass! 

I took a bazillion pictures! 

Sorry about the overload! 

I just didn't have much time to pick and choose ones,

so I just posted most of them! : -) 

There was  lots going on to take picture of . . .

cute kids,

snowball fights,

sledding,

snowman building,

etc. 

So I think I'll let the pictures do the talking! 

(Sorry that the quality of the photos isn't too great.  I was shooting the pictures through falling snow and from a distance . . .while I stood stationary under my umbrella!)

I think the in the picture below, Victoria was planning to throw a snowball at Kyle,

when she was sabotaged from behind! 

Kyle is not looking too scared of Victoria's incoming snowball! 

 I think I overheard that they were creating this snowman as a likeness of one of their friends . . .

I won't name any names . . .but I think it is the friend that is very kindly and graciously house and animal sitting for us!  ;-)

 Whoa!  Looks like Kyle is falling off the back! 

 Okay . . . so this one definitely needs explaining! 

My 20 year-old son . . . was about to throw this huge snowball at me . . .while I was under the umbrella with my camera!  Everybody say .  "BOOOOOO!!!" 

A Man and His Many Sisters

We had a good friend bless us with a little photo shoot of our family this past weekend.

Our main goal was to attempt a family picture for a Christmas card.

After successfully accomplishing that challenging feat ;-),

Evan went on to take lots of other fun pictures of various smaller groupings of our family.

(Thank you soooooooooooooooooo much, Evan!)

This picture he took of the quadruplets reminded me of a similar portrait taken years ago . . .  

 Then, they went for the stoic, old-fashioned, serious look . . .  

But just like old-times, that didn't last long . . .

(I think I heard that the sisters began pinching Kyle!)

 

 And then . . .I just had to include this last one of the awesome photo bomb in the window! : -)

On a side note . . . have I ever mentioned that when Kyle was 8 years old,

he cried many happy tears of joy the day he heard he was going to have a brother?????  ;-)

2016 Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with some very special loved ones!

I was able to snap just a few pictures of the day!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The three main cooks . . .

 There's actually four in this picture . . . just can't see Baby Tevis yet! : -)

 We were so blessed to have Rich, Janet, Richie and Lydia Tevis,

 and my sister Kelley, brother-in-law Louis, and niece Cassidy join us for the day!

What a special blessing they all are to us!

 It was a challenge getting these four to all look and smile at the camera at the same time!

 After lunch, Timmy and Joe entertained us for a bit with their magic tricks! : -)

  Oh, what did we catch on camera here?  Timmy's lovely assistant in the background?

Or saboteur? ;-) Nice one, Richie!

 An after-the-feast-rest . . .

These are the two sisters that are most often confused . . .

(No! That's not what I meant!!  I mean, they are the two quads that people outside of our family have the most trouble telling who's who . . .partly because both of their names start with a "V". :-)

 Awwwww, and now for the two blond sisters . . . oldest and youngest in the family . . .

and these blondes are never confused . . .

either in their mind or mistaken for one another! ;-)

 Cassidy was a big hit with the little ones!

 

 They loved her!

It was such a wonderful day!

Thank you dearly loved ones!



Daily Dose of Cuteness!

So, unfortunately, I missed this adorable moment!

But thankfully, Valerie and Caroline heard what was going on and Valerie snapped these photos and documented what Ben said . . .

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While playing football in the living room this morning,

Coach Ben says to his young, amateur football players in a strong, matter-o-fact voice,

“Cuddle up, guys!!” J

 

One Month Ago Today . . .

 . . .I received a call at 4:30am from my dear sister saying that a very precious loved one had attempted suicide in the wee hours of the morning, and she was in a coma.  Oh, how my heart cried out to the Lord, as I fell to my knees at the throne of grace . . . pleading for God's mercy on her life.  

This is something that you just never think will happen close to home, and surely aren't prepared for.  But so thankful that our Almighty God who knows everything and loves each of us more than we can ever truly fathom, was working on her behalf and interceded, saving her from certain death.

It's still so hard to think about . . . the hopelessness she was feeling, and how we didn't know.  And then, to think how close we came to losing her.

Words can't express what our hearts are feeling as we prepare to see her again next week!!!  We will be rejoicing and praising the Lord from an even greater depth of our hearts this Thanksgiving as she sits with us around our Thanksgiving table!!!!  Thank you Lord, for your incredible mercy, amazing grace and unconditional love!

Dear family and friends, we have an enemy of our souls that "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 But God wants to give us an abundant life!   "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

There is so much more I'd love to say, but time is limited.  I mostly just want to say to everyone reading this . . . .that God, your faithful Creator, loves you SO much, and longs for you to experience His supernatural joy, peace, comfort, and HOPE on this earth that is filled with brokenness!  He has a wonderful plan for your life now, and wants to spend eternity with you in heaven!  If you haven't already believed in Him, and chosen to follow Him . . .please do now  . . .so you can have relief from all the anxiety, pain, and hopelessness that this world has to offer, and experience all that Jesus wants to bless you with!  

If ever you have questions or want to talk about any of this, we'd love to hear from you!  Please contact us!



Check Out My Favorite Author Ever!

My Most Favorite Author Ever ~ Simply the Best!!   (Albeit in My *Slightly* Biased Opinion!!! :-)

This writer really is the best!  I love his writing, and I know you will too!  I encourage you to check out his new/old blog where he is starting to post new articles, stories, heartfelt thoughts and encouragements, etc.   I think you will really enjoy it and find some great inspiration too!  Just click away on the above link! : -)