New Years Wishes...

Happy New Year!

~ Much Love and Wishes of a Blessed Year to All! ~

Philippians 3:13-14 - "No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven."

Christmas '11

December 27th,

 and my house looks like a tornado has struck a path down the center of it.

I'm humbling myself showing the chaos we've created!  

Wondering if order can be restored.

Or when, ...noone seems to be in a big hurry to tidy up! ha! 

And the Tree is still standing,

although it has long been stripped of gifts.

But we sure had a LARGE time getting to this point!

{"smiles"}

Christmas was wonderful!!!

Christmas Eve was spent with Kevin's side of the family.

After supper, the kids exchanged presents.

Austin opening his gift, below.

David's Turn...

Katie, the oldest Grandchild...

Ashley, waiting her turn...

Grandma Frances, Kevin's Mom...

And Papa,

Doesn't he look an awful lot like Santa???

Ashley...

Our Annual Christmas Photos in Front of the Tree..

Katie & Ashley...

David is never too excited to take pictures,

and he doesn't hide it well! ha!

Getting a little smile out of David...

These kids have grown and matured SO much since last year!

The girls wanted to get a picture with Grandma,

but they had to rescue her from falling in the tree! ha!

Grandma Frances and her four Grands...

Katie, 19, Ashley, 18, Austin, 15, & David 13.

One thing we did do a lot of...

we laughed!!! 

They are one silly bunch! :)

Ashley & David after everyone left.

David was so tired... and so ready for Santa...

I regret that I didn't get ONE single picture Christmas Day,

which included Santa on Christmas Morning,

and Christmas Lunch with my Parents, Brother, and his children.

It was a continuation of a wonderful Christmas, though.

Went to my childhood church with my dad, and it was so good to see my old church family!

_____________________________________

Just a few more pictures to share...

David,

and my girly-girl Ashley, both got guns from Santa!

Ashley, below, target shooting at the farm, with her HOT PINK 22 rifle, dressed in her camo pants (a gift from Nana - my mom.)

What's more, she was old enough to buy her OWN bullets! Were does the time go???

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, as well!
I say this every year, but I believe it was our best ever!

Thank You Lord for that! :)

Ready

The Stockings are hung by the chimney

on the Banisters with care... 

{in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon will be here!}

The presents are wrapped...

 Goodies prepared!

Home open

 to Welcome our family and friends...

And the table set for a festive family feast!

But most importantly, 

we are READY to celebrate and worship our Lord and Savior's Birthday, 

that One that lives in our heart!

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, 'God is with us!"  Matthew 1:23

 

Jesus

The Greatest Gift of All!

"For God so loved the world, he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."  John 3:16-17

Wishing all, 

a  Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Traditions

Feeling kind of nostalgic today!

Do you ever get that way around the Holidays???

Below, is a post I wrote for my previous blog in 2008.

Reading it brings back sweet memories for me --- thought I would share it!

December 17, 2008

I think that at this time of year, more than any other, I am mindful of my childhood. Wonderful memories of Christmas traditions abound, transporting me back in time. A much simpler time, when I had few worries or demands, and life was predictable. As a child, Christmas was very predictable for our family. I think about my own children, as we try to establish traditions. It has been hard, and traditions have changed every few years it seems, due to moving or loved ones that have passed during my children's lives.

My mom was one of seven children and my dad was one of eight. Both grandparent's homes would be overflowing with family gathering at Christmas, but they never seemed crowded, rather warm and cozy.

On Christmas Eve night, we celebrated at Grandma B.'s house. During the hour ride home, I would lie crossways in the back window of dad's big Ford sedan, searching the sky for Santa. (This of course, was before seat belts! ) An hour seemed like an eternity as a child, especially one filled with anticipation of gifts to come. My dad would give updates from the front seat as he drove ahead, and I would try to take shallow breaths, so that I didn't fog up the rear window. I didn't want to miss Santa and his reindeer, should they happen upon our path.

Before going to bed, we were allowed to pick one present from under the tree to open. I had the uncanny knack of never choosing a cool, fun toy. Rather my choice was always unwrapped to reveal PJ's or some other piece of clothing. I have to laugh about it now, but at the time it was far from funny.

Gifts from my grandparents were predictable, as well. My Grandma B. gave us each a small box, about the size of a shoebox, filled with little items that she shopped for and saved throughout the year. She put a lot of thought in each item. From Grandma M., we each got two pairs of underwear, but they were good brands. :) When I was young I didn't appreciate them as well as I probably should have. But as I grew older and started buying my own, my gratitude increased.

For a moment, I find myself sad, that I can't be young again, and go back to those predictable, yet wonderful and magical Christmases past. I want to be six, and climb in the back of that car window one more time, and worry about nothing but Santa. And those that I loved, my dear grandparents, are gone now. Their homes are no longer the same, though still standing. But then, I think of my own children, and how I want them to have wonderful family traditions, that I hope they reflect fondly on. I think of all the happy memories we have already had as a family and look forward to future ones. I am then glad that time moves on.

Our preacher shared this verse in a sermon on TRADITIONS...

"Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation." Joel 1:3

{Pictures for Post Borrowed from Google Images}

Cousins' Christmas Bake-off

One of the advantages of Ashley and Katie getting older, 

being the big college freshmen that they are,

...is turning over the Christmas baking to them this year.

As the girls baked away, my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and I 

enjoyed chatting, while browsing blogs and Pinterest!  

Every now and again, we offered a hand, 

but they baked like old pros and did a wonderful job with the treats they created!

First up, Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies.

They were a little fluffy, but very tasty!

Next, my sister-in-law, Leighann, was part of the assembly line to make

 Chocolate Covered Nutter Butter Reindeer.

Are they not the cutest things???

Sugar Cookie/Candy Cane Kisses Blossoms were added to the line-up.

And Sugar Cookie Flowers ...ummm, Stars

Candied Pretzel Creations

Brownie Pops and Round Whoopie Pies...

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies...

{ The girls were busy little elves, were they not??? :) }

Last up, a Snowman Cake.

Leighann found a two sided cake pan at a yard sale for $1.00!

On a wing and a prayer ....and with lots of toothpicks, he stayed together.

Instead of icing the Snowman, which would have diminished his intricate details,

 the girls decided to NOT lightly DUST,  but to pat on powdered sugar.

...gobs of powered sugar! :) 

As the hour drew late, things got silly, 

and powdered sugar began to fly, --the girls had a little food fight!  

Powdered sugar casualties resulted and in the end,

 the Snowman was not the only thing covered in white. -ha! :)

The girls have declared, it will soon be time to turn all the Christmas preparations over to them.  

We countered that in another five years, we may discuss it! :) 

 I'm thinking I'll be much older before I relinquish the reins fully on my favorite Holiday!

But it sure was fun sharing the baking duties with them!