Our town's country Christmas celebration

Today was our town's country Christmas celebration. As you can see there were wagon rides by some very pretty horses.

Josie said she got nervous and asked for a camera but she really doesn't want one.

Georgia asked for paint.

Santa gave Emmy some jingle bells and she couldn't stop jingling them.

Even ice cream sundaes!!

Face painting,

and crafts

There were also some mini-horses and alpacas to play with.

It was a great day. We missed the tree lighting at 4:30 we were just too tuckered out.

All decked out for Christmas

We are all decked out for Christmas now.

Dad putting on the final touch.

ta da!

"Lord I lift up my heart to you in

awe and worship! Your plans for me

are wondrously and infinitely greater

than anything I could ever imagine!"

What fun!

We painted eachothers hands today to make this...
It's a gift for Daddy. shhhh

This doesn't seem right! What a nice big sister.

When Dad got home he went to work on putting up a railing for our from steps.

Like I mentioned before- Josie is Daddy's little helper. She is holding the board (with her feet) while Dad saws it.

"Lord Jesus, I am so grateful that

you have come to be with me so that

I can then be with you in heaven.

You are the bright morning star

who guides all your children home.

Come, Lord Jesus, and bring us into

your heavenly dwelling."

A reminder of yesterday!

One of my favorite pictures I have ever taken. This was the summit of

(I think) Bald mountain when we visited Camp.

A cutie patootie Josie a few years ago.

I can remember this summer night. Georgia was all dolled up for Church.

Jesus you are the Master

Builder. I want to build my life

on you and your teaching. By

your Spirit, fill me with a fresh

outpouring of faith. Help me to walk

humbly in that faith and be ready to

learn from you and the people you

have given me.

Emeline and Bandit

Emmy had some fun with Bandit today. The dog is a great babysitter.
He has been really good with the kids- as you can see.

Emmy is just about pulling his poor eyeballs out but he didn't seem to mind too much- at least he didn't move at all!

"Jesus, please fill those empty

corners of my life with your

abundant provisions-even those

dark corners caused by my sin. Help

me, Lord, to trust in you."

I hope you are enjoying these thoughts. It is making me think a little

longer as I write them down- in other words, it is for my benefit as well as yours!

Christmas Concert

Georgia had her Christmas concert tonight. We enjoyed it immensely. We were very proud of her!!

I wanted to experiment with their hair. I am a very humble person

-but dang I did good!!

Georgia and a couple of her friends. No, they didn't call each other to

coordinate what they were wearing!

Here is our girl walking in!

Just a cute picture of 2 of my precious girls. The other was fast asleep!

Day 3 of Advent

Jesus, transform me through

your holy word. I give you my heart,

my mind, my ears, and my eyes. I

will try my best to obey you today, so

that I can receive your kingdom and

know its joys.

y

Setting Up the Creche

This is a creche we received from my Step-mom, Glenda a couple of years ago.

We LOVE it and really,- truly, enjoy putting it up each year.

"Jesus, help me fix my heart on

you this Advent. Lead me into your

presence. Raise my eyes to heaven, to

you, enthroned above every situation

in my life. May you find me on

Christmas waiting and eager for

your coming."

Advent Wreath Activity

Today before Mass we participated in making an Advent wreath.

Here we are- anticipating the directions.
They are digging in!

Looking good Georgia. Almost done.

Here they are. Russell did a good job-he was on his own.

Now we wait!!

"Holy Spirit, I know you live in

me. I want to open the eyes of my

heart so that you can show me the

wonders of the kingdom of God this

Advent."

From "the Word among us Daily Meditations For Advent 2007"

More mail!

Mom said: "What? This package has your name on it. What do you think

it's going to be your birthday or something?!"

What is it Josie?

THANK YOU BECKY!

Becky this is adorable and really made Josie happy. She is VERY lucky to

have such a wonderful Godmother. We love you very much.

Here, the girls are all dressed up before the guests arrived for Jo's party. You can see someone is especially happy with a super big smile!

mail and a goof

Josie got mail!!!

"What's it say Dad?"

"Hey they gave me a bill"

Thanks grandma and grandpa H.

My big goof!

I was doing one too many things when I took these cupcakes out of the oven. As you can see I got a little side tracked talking to the kids, took them out and plopped them on the counter without poking them to see if they were done!

Making them again! :(

An infant's curiosity

I have a tall skinny tree that I use to put the kids decorations on. We decided to get it out and light it up for Emeline tonight. All kids love lights, so she enjoyed exploring and feeling the bristles. She especially wanted to see what it tasted like.

Lake Effect fun

We went to the grocery store tonight and walking in it began to spit some snow. When we walked out of the store we found ourselves in the midst of a lake effect snow shower. The flakes were enormous. It didn't last long but made the kids (and Dad) very anxious to go out to play.

Right before this picture snapped they were all on the ground making snow angels. I only captured Brad in the act - of course!

We tested Brad's tree. Looks good!

They created this "snow man" as they called it. Looks like a martian snowman to me.