Christmas

The Christmas Eve service was as wonderful as anticipated-- I have never had more respect for our pastor as he managed to deliver a powerful message in the midst of pretty much non-stop child-wailing. I honestly think somebody or other's baby was crying all night. But it was still lovely. Afterwords we came home andddddddddd...

Made Christmas cookies! My wonderful Mother made me that apron- it was my 'open on Christmas Eve' gift.

Sisters.

Festive yumminess.

Daddy makin' breakfast, which was delicious!

Joseph and Michael looking at Mez's new coloring book.

Julia inherited LG's bike for Christmas, she was SO excited.

Five Stockings. (which had already been emptied by the time I took the picture).

I got this awesome candle lantern... and felt fierce in the morning snow with it... mwahaha.

As well as a sewing machine! I have been blessed this year by several women endeavoring to teach me how to sew (let me tell you, not an easy undertaking, precision is not really my thing), in particular the girl who I wrote about a couple posts ago. I am so excited to have my own machine! So far I've made a headband and a book mark...okay, don't jude, I'm learning!

Michael LOVES dinosaurs. And he LOVES coloring. This book made his Christmas.

Awkward angle- but on Christmas day the snow flakes that fell were so amazing. They weren't just normal balls of fluff-- I mean, we don't get much snow, but I've only seen it like this once or twice ever, every little flake was so intricate and deltailed. The perfect little crystals were orderly and unique, and tiiiiny! It was a beautiful reminder of the craftsmanship and love of the our Creator and definitely one of my favorite gifts of the day. It was also the first white Christmas I have ever seen!

Lela Grace age 11.

Cheesy smile.

You can kind of see the detail of the snowflakes more here. Seriously, it was breathtaking. (I am a teensy proud of this picture, I am NOT a photographer, but I like the way it turned out. 'Course, I had a pretty awesome subject to capture:)

Merry Christmas! Have a blessed Epiphany Season as Christmas draws to a close on the sixth.

"For God so loved the COSMOS that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

~John 3:16~

Picnik

I have recently discovered the joys of Picnik. So, for lack or anything better to say (or rather, time to say it), here are a few of my creations:

Lela Grace. The quote is a Caedmon's call song. I love Caedmons' call.

Michael and Julia at the park. Chances are good that you know this song:)

My one true love. You probably know this song too...

Final Exams

Studying for Final Exams have meant forgoing the following:

-A milkshake
-Archery practice with Lela Grace
-and Emperor's New Groove.
-snuggle time

...and thats just today. Summer, come quickly.

ps. how many families do you know with an archery range in their back yard? its a new addition. (new as in, this morning). Compliments of Joseph and Lela Grace who have both recently developed and interest in the sport, and thus bugged my parents sufficiently to build a target. I'm definitely the worst archer in the family, judging from the 10 minutes I took to go out and get a little taste. They whooped me.

First Day of Spring

Today is the first day of Spring. Unfortunately, my mom is in the hospital with Michael (long story) and my dad is driving 3 and 1/2 hours each way to a boy scout trip that my brother was on because he got sick as well.

So, it was a girls day at our house, and one of the first really fair days of the year. We watched Princess and the Frog, cleaned the upstairs with music on and all the windows open, and then went on a quick walk around the neighborhood as the sun was setting.

And, like a good responsible sister, I totally forgot Julia's helmet. Lela Grace scootered home to get it. Julie-babe wasn't especially happy about that.

But she got over it.

And we had a successful walk.

Can you guys pray for my sweet Michael? He has some mystery medical thing going on, and we are hoping that this round of illness (every time he gets a stomach bug he ends up in the ER) will help us get some answers. Anyway, just that he would feel better and be free from fear.

Thanks.

Sillyness

Around the corner,

Or down the street



You'll find with all the kids you meet,

Though maybe living far or near,

One attribute is very clear:

KIDS. ARE. SILLY!!!

Hero Monday: The Eskimos

How on earth

they ever did it
without the

wooden rafters

is beyond us. :)

Imagination is...

...wearing a homemade Lord of the Rings cloak and a scarf in the snow just because you can.

.... being absolutely convinced that Beaver's Dam and Tumnus's cave are just beyond the lampost. ... tucking your bathrobe tassel in your baby sister's pants.....

...because she asked you for a tail

Yup-we're havin' fun down in the snowy south!

I take it back!!!!!

For us, this is one SERIOUS snowday! Whoo Hoo!

Babysitting

I love babysitting. Serisouly, its the best job ever. Today, I'm keeping the twins and Lela Grace at home while my parents are out and Joseph is at school, and later I'm getting to hang out with a sweet little three year old girl from church.

Trying to be a good, fun, big sister, I got the kids dressed to go outside even though its kind of dreary here today. Unfortunately, I dressed them up for dry cold weather but it was actually hot and wet. We only stayed out for about five minutes.

Oh well. I tried.

I'm learning.

And, they're cute in their hats. :)

Family Pictures!

Our family had photos done by an AMAZING photographer, Claire Wise. She was so nice and did such a fabulous job. We won a sitting from her at a silent auction fundraiser for some of our friends who are adopting two little boys from Ethiopia. Anyway, here are a few of them!

The five kids standing on our church front steps

Lela Grace, Julia and I

The Family :)