Christmas Eve

Yes, it's January, but I started this post just after Christmas, and wanted to finish it anyway... :)

Christmas Eve found us at Wesley Chapel, just like every other Christmas Eve I can remember. Each of the kids had something prepred for the program.

Elijah and Eleanor sang "Happy Birthday, Jesus"

Elijah played "Silent Night" on his harmonica



Mackenzie sang "Welcome To Our World"

Katie played "O Come, All Ye Faithful"

As I sat in the church, which looks exactly the same as it has since I was a little girl, looking at faces of people I have known and loved all my life, I was almost moved to tears thinking about how much that simple Christmas Eve service means to me. Hearing my dad read the Gospel of Luke, the lighting of the advent candle, the precious, heartfelt performances of little children in their fanciest clothes...all of these things brought a rush of memories over me. And then I started thinking about the faces of the people who aren't there anymore-mostly Grandpa Bob, but others, too-and I felt a little sad, but also so enormously joyful for the gift of Christmas. It is because the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and gave His life as a ransom for us all that we can know that death is not the end. Christmas is our hope.

I am grateful for Wesley Chapel, for the simple one-room church where the first seeds of faith were planted in my heart, and where so many of my most treasured memories of childhood took place. I am grateful for the part it plays in the traditions of my family now, and for the welcoming love that always greets us there whenever we are able to attend. And most of all, I am grateful for the love of Christ that shines in that congregation. It indeed holds a very special place in my heart.

December Recital

It's been forever since I posted anything on here, but for those who weren't able to attend Katie's recital earlier this month, here are the videos of her pieces. She did great!

Divertmiento ~ Mozart

Rondo a la Turca ~ Mozart

Nocturne in E Minor ~ Chopin

Sleigh Ride ~ duet w/Leah

Last of the summer pictures (I think)

Scenes from the Edgar County Fair :

Mackenzie and Elijah on the Tornado



Dizzy Dragons


Eleanor was so happy that they got to ride in the pink dragon.



Only Mackenzie was crazy enough to ride the Zipper.

I can't believe my baby girl is up there!

Look out, NASCAR.

1001 Nachts

I get sick just watching it.

When elephants fly...

Waiting for the Hanglider to start

Woo Hoo!

Katie and Constance do not enjoy the rides so much.

Ice cream!

The highlight of the fair for Eleanor was this little purple and pink plastic trumpet she won in a fishing game. You would have thought it was a diamond ring.

Ferris Wheel

More summer pictures...

So summer is winding down, and there are so many pictures that I haven't posted yet. I guess it really doesn't matter since my mom is the only person who reads this blog anyway, but since she mentioned it the other day, here they are:

Elijah enjoyed playing ball again this summer. Dan was his coach again, which is fun. The kids are so cute. Mackenzie was the assistant coach this year.

In June we went to the Newman Festival. It is always a good time!

Eleanor gave it her best at the pedal tractor pull. She didn't make it very far, but she looked lovely doing it.

Elijah did great and took home the third place trophy in his age group.

On Friday evening, just after the tractor pull, a nasty storm was headed towards Newman. We left town just before it hit, but then stopped on the way to have a little weather watching lesson. We homeschoolers are weird like that.

This is a wall cloud.

This is a wall cloud trying to form a funnel.

Maybe we should head on home.

The next day we were back in Newman for the parade.

The Lion's Club Marching Band. The fact that I am posting this is proof that my father can no longer embarass me by any silly thing he does. I'm completely immune.

candy grabbers

Our friend Therese pretending like she doesn't know us.

Watching the fireworks later that night.

Ooh. Ahh.

Constance had her four-month-old check up today. She weighed in at 17 pounds, five ounces!

Here are some recent pictures:

Cousins!!! Part Two

More pictures from our visit with Ethan & Allison's family:

Elijah takes on Uncle Ethan in a game of hoops.

Emily

Aileen

Aileen is horse crazy like Mackenzie, so we took her out to meet Lucy.

Trying to get a group picture of the kids was fun.

The day before Ethan & Allison arrived, Eleanor asked me how old Emily was. When I told her that Emily was four just like she is, she broke into a huge smile and said, "We're going to have fun being four together."

And they did.