Family Photos

These  pictures have been secret for over 4 months.  August second while Beth's sister, Sarah was in Colorado, they  had their families together for a  photoshoot. It was to surprise their mother with these great pictures. Of course while keeping the secret, I was kept in the dark as well. So, I was also

surprised and thrilled to get these and about 40 more pictures now.  I sat down right away and 'scrapbooked' them, since I was about ready to publish another book.

Now today, as  I was getting everything together for this next publication, I realized I had not finished 

'scrapping' the photos taken in October when all of ORU was together here in Ohio. So this evening, I've been working on those pages. I have been sitting way too much. At this time, I'm more than ready to dive into bed, but that had to wait until I can complete this, since I've missed two days in a row already.

Late winter

I have plenty of great Christmas pictures to work with, so perhaps I'll have some on here by spring, well hopefully before that. Maybe even tomorrow. But today, I'll show you one of Ron's Christmas presents to himself that he bought in early December. It is a leaf vacuum. Leaves are a big problem here with so many oak trees and he would never be able to rake  them all, so he has used vacuums for several years. The last one he had broke in November. Thankfully when it did the leaves hadn't started falling in great numbers. They did later in December and he had his new toy, sorry, machine, to do the work. Here is Ron with his prize possession at present.

Happy Christmas Eve Eve

I have several photos taken while the kids decorated the Christmas tree this year. They did it with such thought and care.  I'm anxious to get the chance after Christmas to make more layouts in able to hold onto the bright memories. First there is John holding Caleb up to put the star on top. This has become a tradition at their house. When Caleb sees this layout, he may be surprised...since they do not own an ornament like the one he is holding the second picture. I wonder how that happened. HA.

Varsity Drive In

Our grandson, Mason is in three choirs, The Mustangs, Paragon and a mixed boy/girl choir. In late October of this year, all those choirs went to Atlanta  to perform in a concert. They had some fun on that  long weekend trip. Two of the places they visited are shown on this layout. Six Flags and a special drive in called The Varsity. After I read about it, I wondered why I hadn't already heard.

The Varsity in downtown Atlanta is the original, world famous location. There are others around the country. This enormous restaurant sits on 2 city blocks and can accommodate 800 diners inside. Opened in 1928, this store quickly gained the reputation of being "the world's largest drive in".

Guess we just missed it when we were there. It is hard to believe since there are 7 locations in the Atlanta Athens area.

Expressions

I love these expressions. Before I found  out what Oliver and Julia were thinking about, I tried to guess. I was wrong, but it was fun trying.  I noted on the layout the why of those looks.  Julia doesn't seem certain, but  Oliver may be considering all the choices with that look on his face.   They  were trying to decide where to eat breakfast that morning. It looks like it  could be a very important decision in his mind. 

 I don't know where they ended up going to eat, but I do know that when they got home they had lots of energy and went out to play in the leaves while daddy raked. I posted a few pictures of that play in late November.

"I'm Lit"

We have our life group over on Tuesday evenings for a meal, Bible study and prayer. We always have fun as well, but this Tuesday was extraordinarily fun. As has become our custom,  sometime during the Christmas season we have a Christmas party with a White elephant gift exchange. We gave it a political theme this year, at least some of us did. So the gifts were unusually funny. 

The  present I ended up with had several cool things in it including a reindeer candy dish (with candy) and this 'necklace' of tree lights. I failed to don them while everyone was here last night, so I did that today and got a picture of me with the 'necklace'. Then I sent an email with this layout titled "I'm lit". 

This  layout will go into my next book to be published  in the near future.  So we'll not forget this gift for a long, long time. 

It Was Just Last Month

The boys were acting like...BOYS. And what fun they were having. This was just last month and now it is almost Christmas. 

My favorite season is fall, but Christmas and snow are very special as well. No wonder  I live in the north.  All four seasons are wonderful.  

We LOVE our Children

Too many parents at present spend way too much time away from their children and it is starting to show in their behavior, their lack of ability to roll with the punches, their not showing respect for authority. It shows in many areas. It is good to see parents sharing  time  with the little ones  who look to them for an example  of how to live, to work, to handle problems, to worship our God in heaven.   It is good to see Brittanie and Ava enjoying one another's company.

The Little Mermaid

On the 18th of last month Caleb and Oliver went to see The Little Mermaid onstage live at the Fort Collins Children's Museum. It was a long night because after the show they were able to meet all the characters. It was quite a treat and Caleb had each person sign the program by the picture of his or her character. This was the last couple they met...the stars of the show  Prince Eric and Ariel, who was the little mermaid. As tired as they were by that time, Caleb was still able to bring out the big smile.

Doggie Door

While  visiting a great  aunt and uncle, Julia discovered the doggie door.  I think it just led out to an enclosed  porch, thankfully. And of course  Mommy was right there with her  cell phone. Glad she came up with the idea because it made a great scrapbook layout and memories that will last for years.

Humungus Hamburger

Mason is not a little guy and from the look of his food choices, one would know that he is on his way to getting even bigger. He is still growing and ...look at him grow. 

Sonic granted his request for this humungus hamburger. He  just wanted to see if he could do it.

Looks like me when  I eat one of Ron's  single patty hamburgers with all the 'trimmings'. Yet I go back over and over for those.

Fallen Leaves for Sale

This page is dated November 17.  That was the last time our yard has been relatively leaf free. The leaves fell so late and then the weather took a quick turn toward winter. Since that date, we've had a lot of rain and even snow and Ron worked on his equipment.

Our yard at present still has snow on top of several inches of leaves, which continue to fall.  Ron has been waiting, waiting and then waiting for a chance to get those leaves dry so that he can load them up and then grind  them into  fine little bits for disposal.  We are thinking that any day now, it will warm above freezing and  dry those things. In the meantime, if you don't have oak trees and would like some leaves, we would be willing give you a discount... No, we'll give them to you FREE, we'll even thank you for taking them. It's our Christmas spirit. Get them free and give them as gifts. It is a DEAL. Come  one, Come all, Get a remembrance of Fall.  Again, I repeat... FREE!

Thank God for FaceTime

I am in a thankful mood. Right now I am so thankful for my family, all of whom are loving  people.

That is of most importance to me. On down that list is  something that we haven't had for most of my life, but now when we really need it, we do. That is FaceTime. I would never have the chance to see and talk to my family in other states (and even when they are out of the country) without FaceTime. 

I would have never seen this sweet expression as Julia told me how very much see likes her new warm sweater with a hood.

Happy Fifth Birthday

I've been on a mission of trying to think positively recently.  It is helpful, but today I took a few minutes to pity myself because I have never been with  this sweetheart kid  on his birthday. Today was the big day, he turned 5. What a boy. 

About a week ago I was talking to him via FaceTime. I asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he said, "Well  I already have  my Paw Patrol", like he  had that, he didn't need anything more. It tickled me because that is what I gave him last year.  

It is so difficult to know what to buy when he is so far away. What does he have already? I don't know. So  I usually put a burden on his mom  to come up with something.  And then there is delivery time and cost that complicates things. This  time his mom helped me very much by finding something and  calling me from the store. That worked very well for me. But then she had to wrap it.  So a shout  out to a special mom who is so very considerate of and old grandmother who lives too far away.

Just a Hint

I'm not sure where Ashley and her mother were shopping, but I did get the hint that she likes this big old moose.  It sure makes a great picture, and her  room is not small, but neither is it the huge room this big boy would take up.  I'm personally glad she saw it and thought to get this photo. It is pretty special and it does show her love of animals and her willingness to add animals, other than tigers to her wish list.

Ashley, you look very pretty.

At this  time of my life, I really don't expect to catch up. Besides being behind on the book I'm working on right now, I  have  4 other books I've planned to make. Doesn't  look possible at this point.  I'm slower than ever. But at least I keep at it. It is an enjoyable task.

Tonight's post is from  October 26 when Chelle cast her ballot for the midterm election.  It is a smart move. Glad it is a possibility. Glad she votes. Many do not. However I would prefer that those who do not know their history and do not keep up with what is going on in this country and the world. not vote. One can't watch the news on only one channel or read only one newspaper and be sure to know the truth.  We must gather our information from several sources including history and make decisions using common sense.

Remember History repeats itself and that is happening in our country right now. Many of the young have been brain washed with a love for socialism which has failed over and over again in the past.

Quintuplets

One of our favorite stores to shop when we are in Fort Collins, Colorado is Clothes  Pony Dandelion

Toys. They always stock the best things and the atmosphere is great for shopping. As you can see here, on one of  Julia's last trips to the toy store, she found just what she wanted, five little babies. Wait until she finds out how much work that makes for a mommy. Well at least they will sleep though the night ;).

She and I make a great  pair.  She likes to do cute things and I like to make layouts of her. With her mom and dad taking the pictures, it is a perfect match...a great family.

New Museum in Nashville

I'm generally not interested in museums, but when I am, it is hard to get me out. I have not yet had the opportunity to see the new Tennessee State Museum, but I'd like to give it a chance. Guess I will do that the next time I get to Tennessee.

Here, two of the triplets, Mason and Ashley visited the museum in November. It opened in October, so it was still nice and new. One of their NSA teachers gave extra credit for the excursion. They had two friends go along,. They wanted that extra credit as well.

Thanksgiving Color

April was ready to go back  to Parkersburg and the house hunt. But we had to get a picture first. We are usually so busy that we forget these little things that mean  so much, especially  later when we look back on the years.

She Loves Horses

I love this picture of Julia.  I don't know a story to tell about it.  I wish I knew what she was thinking. I do know that her dress is one of the cutest I've seen.  I doubt there is another one like it. It is just too cute...like her. It is covered with horses and she LOVES horses. It is the perfect fit in more ways than one. She is our little cowgirl.  And  I do believe she was born to ride. 

Soccer Rules

Oliver started  soccer practice this year and seems to have gotten into it well. I like the expression on his face. He certainly looks like he has a handle on it and is enjoying the game.

Tea Cup Sized

Our  Life Group meets at our house once a week and we cherish these visits. Recently we added a new member. Her name is Zoe and she would definitely fit in a tea cup. She belongs to her mom and dad, Tammy and Dave. They have found she likes to come along with them. A funny thing about this is, the first time  this tiny little girl came to our house, our 14  pound Havanese, Maggie was afraid of her. She ran and hid.  It has taken a few visits, but now Maggie is glad to see her. They are not yet best of friends, but they do get close enough to touch noses. on occasion. And of course all of us love her. She is just too cute!