Christmas Eve

After a beautiful candlelight service at Church,

a birthday cake

to center our celebration

around a very special Baby.

Morning at the Bag and Breakfast

Our Christmas Tree Campers enjoyed a hearty breakfast of warm gingerbread waffles, fresh oranges and cold milk on Christmas Eve morning.

The Children Were Nestled . . .

All snug in their sleeping bags, under the Christmas tree for the 9th annual

 Christmas tree campout.

These lucky campers will be treated to freshly brewed Starbucks and

Warm Gingerbread Waffles in the morning.

This is my idea of camping!

Cousin Eddie

The resemblance is somewhat scary . . .

"Now Clark, that there is an R.V.!"

{For the record, we cannot endorse the Christmas Vacation movie unless it is watched through Clearplay.  We {heart} Clearplay!}

Advent Journey

The advent journey is nearing its end . . .

Jotham now finds himself raking straw at an inn in

Bethlehem.

{Our family tradition}

Three Cheers For . . .

Christmas Vacation.

We are throwing our math sheets to the wind for the time being and looking forward to a week full of meditation on God's gift of Salvation to all mankind -

plus lots of cookie baking, neighborhood and friend celebrating and game playing.

Preacher Boy

Since the sweet age of 19-months, Ryland has held regular church service for his collection of Little People.

He continues to preach even into his advanced years.

The good news:  Ryland reported that the Little People Mayor accepted Jesus as his Savior during the sermon.  The bad news is that Maggie slipped on the ice on the way to church and broke her leg.  But, the other good news is that since the Little People Mayor is now a Believer he went to visit her at the hospital.

A lot of drama happens in our home.

The bad news: Toward the end of Ryland's sermon, the Fisher Price Little People City was invaded by Legos Star Wars characters.

All the Little People surrendered without event but . . .

The Preacher got sidetracked and decided that he really was more interested in playing Legos than finishing his sermon.

So then the Preacher's Mom had to take pictures of her Christmas Tree Ornaments instead of Little People.

And they all lived happily ever after!

Caroling, caroling . . .

Last night, a small but mighty group from our church visited the nursing homes here in town and went Christmas Caroling.

It was so much fun and a great feeling to bring so many smiles.

Snow Day

Boys are Rejoicing!

The Boys Can Throw A Party

One of the many benefits in living in a home full of men is that when it comes to the only female birthday they make it a really *big* deal. 

My boys can really throw a party!

A bigger waffle iron courtesy of my #1 and #3 {pictured here}

This will be much more efficient than the single serving waffle iron already owned - and it was all their idea.  Somehow getting a food related item from my sons is so endearing.

A gift with a sweet card that has a picture of 'Mommy and Langston holding hands and Mommy is yawning'.

I guess that pretty much sums up my life accurately!  I love it.

 

Langston thought Mommy needed some pink duct tape and . . .

 

A pink Maglite.  I am SO spoiled!!

 

Tarver tricked me by wrapping a big box full of dumbells . . .

 

And hiding the most beautiful Swiss Army knife in the bottom.

Yes, pink. 

Except for the pink part, I feel like I totally belong with this band of knife-toting brothers and their Dad now.

Christmas morning should be interesting and dangerous - everyone will be competing with me to get their knife drawn first to slice through tape!

We interrupt this birthday party for an imporant message from Ryland.

Nevermind . . . he's just being himself.

Gift certificates to my favorite restaurant from Dad.

And a hand illustrated card of a sombrero wearing duck.

Consider it saved for the museum, Dad!

A beautiful sweater among many beautiful things from Laura {can't wait to read the books! and dig into all the chocolate!!}

 

A lovely wool cape made by  Mom.

When you get to be my age you also get a personal fashion designer!

Well, only if you have my Mom for yours.

So, that would be you, Heidi.

 And the last gift of the evening was from my Beloved . . .

A lovely *lovely* new camera lens.

Did I already mention how spoiled I am?

And excited?

My first test shot on Ry-man.  I can now Bokeh with the best of them!!

Thank you, awesome friends and family.  I am truly blessed by all of you and thankful especially to my great group of guys here at home.  It was a lovely birthday party.  Thank you.

Shutter Finger

In my spare time, otherwise defined as time in which I probably should be doing laundry, dusting and/or meal-making, I have been know to beg, borrow, steal {not yet . . . yet}

friends and children of friends to quench the desire I have for mastering this science/art called: Picture Taking. 

{ Picture Taking is the pre-cursor to photography, the level to which I aspire }

Thanks to all of my kind friends who have put up with me *suggesting* your need for some pictures -

I'm truly grateful for the opportunity you provided for me to gain some much needed experience and skill.

Plus, it was just a whole lot of fun and I can't wait to do it again!

Hello, Gwen?  I believe you are next in line?