Family Fun

GG at Lindas for our first night of fun!!

Look at how full the living room can get!!!

This is my favorite picture of Alaina!!! or Alaina ballerian!

Grandma and her boys

GG with her men

GG with the ladies

Just love the sweater

Anytime you wanted to know where Sara or GG were, u found one, you usually found the other !!!

The cousins (I wish we would have gotten a picture with all of the cousins!!!!)

The sweater girls

Alaina was sooooo excited!!

Dancing again!!

I love this picture too!

oh Addie, just adorable!

The kids playing with moon dough! It was a big hit

Grandma

She has so many names - who is she to you?

Somebody likes her new carseat!

Addie Jane was all smiles on the way up north.

Christmas - An All Day Affair

We began early and ended late.  The girls were up by 7 (late I know for some kids but early enough for me).  Alaina was so excited she didn't know what to do.  Santa had been to our house and left two giant bags of presents for each of the girls; they had been good this year - listening and obeying their parents, using their manners, and tinkling in the potty!!

Alaina loved her new kaleidoscope

Ms. Addie discovered she loves peppermint!

We enjoyed giving and receiving presents.  Ooohhh la la - new cowgirl boots for me!  Dad is dawning his new running jacket.  I love his smile - Addie Jane has the same exact smile! 

Tender moments between Emily Ann and Addie Jane (and Lilly the frog too!).

Alaina playing with Angelina Ballerina.

 Amazing wrapping job. Dad was surprised that we gave him the helicopter he had his eye on!

Alaina was playing with her new kitchen pot on her own in the kitchen.  When we looked in on her she had on Papa's hat.  It was so darling.  We asked her what she was doing and she said, "I'm Papa-Man!".

Pete and Emily Ann laughing hysterically at "Papa-Man"

Mom was busy as a bee all day - cleaning up wrapping paper, handing out gifts, and lovin' on the girls!

2011 Christmas Exchange

This person BUYS FOR This person

1. Susie . . .  Sarah N
2. Paul P . . . Debbie
3. Paul N . . .  Ken
4. Emily Marie . . . Bob
5. Tracy . . . Lindsey
6. Tim . . . Baby L
7. Sarah N . . . Joy
8. Peter N . . . Carol
9. Emily Ann . . . Winter
10. Alaina . . . Peter C
11. Addie Jane . . . Ryan
12. Carol . . . Paul N
13. Ken . . . Paul P
14. Ryan . . . Emily Marie
15. Joy . . . Addy
16. Sara C . . . Joe
17. Isaac . . . Olivia
18. Adam . . . Susie
19. Linda . . . Jay
20. Bob . . . Faith
21. Debbie . . . Peter N
22. Peter C. . . Sara C
23. Addy . . . Isaac
24. Joe . . . Tim
25. Faith . . . Tracy
26. Baby L . . .Adam
27. Winter . . . Addie
28. Lindsey . . . Linda
29. Jay . . . Emily Ann
30. Olivia . . . Alaina

Social Media & Christmas!

Christmas Eve

(Double Click to Enlarge)

Playing with Blocks
Dinner at Picanos
A Visit with Steve
Haute Chocolate Pots
Church at Genesis
Visiting with Family

Holiday Fun

Faith and Mariah at the Elks Christmas party hanging out with santa!

Faith was bouncing up and down so much, thats why her cheeks are so pink!

Mariah wanted Faith to be in the picture with her, it was so cute

Faith and santa

Faith and Winter waiting in line to see the big man

Faith loved Mrs. Claus. (She was getting tired, her eyes always wonder when shes tired)

Faith and Luke walking in holding hands so excited for the christmas festivities


Hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Season, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone after christmas. Hopefully everyone stays safe and healthy and we love you all!!

snow days

cold . . . white . . . quiet . . . beauty

snow

(double click to see photos full size)

Gloria!

And the glory [majesty and splendor] of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.  Isaiah 40:5 (amplified)

 

This Christmas my church is looking at he Glory of the Lord and this week's service will be focused in on Jesus as the light in the darkness.   Hebrews 1:  IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].  He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high, [Taking a place and rank by which] He Himself became as much superior to angels as the glorious Name (title) which He has inherited is different from and more excellent than theirs.

 

So I've been thinking a bit about lighting . . . 

I am so excited that there is lighting above my nativity set in my kitchen now.

I just love it up against the backdrop of the tile.

I love mirrored ornaments because of how they reflect the light.

My prayer is that God would make me into more of a mirror - to reflect His light.

Close Your Eyes, Mom, I Found the Beef.

An early view from Sunday's crockpot - the beginning of beef stew. Why? Well, despite growing up in a household with Mom, who is fiercely and fearsomely allergic to beef, (sorry mom) I still love it from time to time. Enough that I 'went in' with eight other families to buy a grass fed cow and after much anticipation the freezer is full of beef. Steaks, roasts, stew, and ground meats adorn all three shelves. It's lean and has beautiful color. So on Sunday friends came over for a double feature. A Charlie Brown Christmas (LOVE LOVE LOVE) captured the hearts of kids and adults followed by Love, Actually (not for the kids). Friends brought roasted potatoes, garlic bread, and cupcakes. I made a gingerbread trifle as well. We were stuffed and quite content.

The beef was quite a deal - under $2 a pound.

Blizzard Fun?

This picture sums up our day. We were in the middle of the blizzard that swept across Wisconsin. It rained last night before the snow, so all our trees are covered with ice. I'm thankful our trees faired fairly well. We lost power last night at 11:00 -- a nearby transformer blew and that was scary! There were huge flashes of bright blue light that lit up the night. We woke up a bit chilly but the power came back around 9:00. Some communites are still without power tonight. All the neighbor kids and men were out in force this morning playing in the snow. I loved seeing everyone rallying together to help out with the snowblowing. I had a house full of neighborhood boys playing with Legos, watching the movie Elf and eating mac & cheese for lunch. I kept my clothes dryer busy getting their snow gear dry for their afternoon adventure. Ryan grilled steaks for dinner and it felt so wonderful to be safe, warm and together.
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
Love, Joy

Names

So as the days roll on and the countdown begins to finding out what we are having, The name game has begun. Its funny I thought we had our names nailed down and now im like hmm, but i like this name, oh and that one. (We don't always agree) LOL So lets here what everyone things! What should we name the baby???? boy??? girl????

Faith said girl- Angel boy- Michael