Merry Christmas!

So many blessings, like cousins...

Santa's sleigh & reindeer tracks...

that special toy you always wanted...




...Love and Joy to you this Christmastime and always! HE is the Reason for the Season!!
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.--Luke 2:11

Christmastime is Family Time!

Despite the blowing snow and sub-zero temperatures, we were able to get in two great days of family celebrations with Mark's side. Here he is with his Mom, brothers, and sister. Good-looking bunch!

Grandma Jan and her 10 little lovies...(Kind of funny how the boy-dominated generation above has now been replaced with girls 8 to boys 2!)

Grandpa Donny and the gang.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." --1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Four Heads of Hair, One Hair-Challenged Mommy

Isn't this cute?

This is my TWO-year-old. She has fine little hair. Braiding requires nimble, adept fingers. Of which I have none.

Thank you to my niece Crystal for turning Wynne into Heidi. I wish you could make the 2-hour drive to my house tonight and help me do 4 heads of hair for their Christmas concert!

You know, my sister Julie has awesome hair-doing skills. She did my hair for junior prom, my wedding, etc. She can French-braid like there is no tomorrow. Isn't it funny how she "only" has 2 daughters and FOUR sons...while I (with no hair-doing skills)have FOUR daughters and one son?? God must be getting a good laugh over this one.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. --1 Peter 3:2-5

Scenes from a Snow Day

We had a lot of ice & snow last winter, so we had a lot of snow days. They are the bane of a Slacker Mom's existence !! Just kidding. (A little.)

So yesterday we had our first snow day of the school year. It was a pretty good day, actually. We made gingerbread cookies...

...the kids went outside and did some sledding...

...I told my husband (a teacher, day off)that this is why we have more than a few kids...so the older ones can help push/pull the younger ones during sledding. (I took a few minutes while they were all outside to actually SIT DOWN and READ the mail. SIT DOWN & READ IT!!)

...Then back inside for some hot chocolate and cookie decorating.

Watch out with that icing decorator!!

Then we rounded out the day with some board/card games and our attempt at the family Christmas card picture.

All in all, it was a great day!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.--1 Chronicles 16:34

Family Video October-November 2008

Family Video September 2008

I'm Thankful For...

...for eager kids who help Mommy clean up the supper table so we can tackle the Turkey Cookies with gusto!

...for having only 20% of my children come down with a stomach flu about 9 hours after this was taken...

...for having everyone pass the 48-hour-no-vomit-rule at our house, so we could host my side's Thanksgiving!
...for having a big enough house to hold 40-some family members (many of whom were instrumental in helping us get the remodeling done last year)!

...for just being together and playing Spoons together.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever. --Psalm 107:1