December 2010

December 2010 offered us opportunities that every family would be blessed to have. As the world seems to spin faster and faster, it's a real blessing when families can spend time together

Last things first....

After a Christmas Day snow, we all got to spend some quiet time at the farm.

Misty & Mira sledding... Mira watches McKenzie & McKayla powersledding...

Randy and the girls "powersledding". It's a fave way to play in the snow!

Christmas Eve the snow began to fall... Some of my creative baking attempts......the entire reindeer crew... My first ever homemade "yule log". The best part was listening to everyone try to pronounce the french phrase "brusch de noel".... I will add that my "little" sister made her first yule log this Christmas also. Hers was DELICIOUS...put this one to shame!

A new "furry family member" came to live with us on December 23, 2010. Meet Marcie...the only thing McKenzie asked for for Christmas.

The weekend before Christmas, we traveled to Pigeon Forge to the Lid'l Gludstadt to meet up with Randy's entire family. We had never spent vacation time with them all together. It was a very nice weekend and everyone enjoyed the fellowship.

Everyone on the porch....Self-timer... A view from the back porch on a foggy morning.

Working at home...the week before it should have been Christmas break.

Watching out the window...makes working a little better.

Yep, that's five and a half inches of snow!...ensuring an extra week of Christmas break for all of us who go to or work at school!

This was the photo from our Christmas card. I'll let the photo speak for itself....

I hope all of you were blessed with the perfect opportunity to spend time with family and friends this Christmas. As I complete this post, I noticed that I didn't get a single photo of my mom....she is always somewhere preparing something for someone.

God bless everyone and be very merry!

Images

As the moon rose this evening, I was thankful that I live in the country. I wish I could have captured the softly falling leaves that were floating down like big, brown snowflakes... Below are some photos of the girls taken recently...Reminds me how quickly the seasons come and go.... We were fortunate to visit with the Mischler family recently. We lived next door to them when McKenzie and McKayla were born. It's always good to get together with great friends! McKenzie & McKayla.....nearly teenagers. Blessings to all.

Fall & All

Today is a day that I cannot fail to document. I played my very first hymn on my violin...again and again...actually. I began taking lessons about five weeks ago and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It helps that I already read music and that my instructor is extremely talented and encouraging. The violin was a gift from Randy last Christmas. I had always wanted to learn to play and said it was on my "bucket list". When I received it, I joked and asked if he thought I was going to expire soon or if he thought it was going to take me a long time to learn to play it. It was a very thoughtful gift and he didn't stop there...he even sought out a teacher for me! I hope he likes to hear the violin..... What could be more inspiring than love and thoughtfulness?...beauty in God's creation. Enjoy these recent scenes around the farm, lake and home. Happy Fall to All of Y'all! May God colorfully bless you and your world. Kim

Blog Revival - Almost Caught Up...Almost...

Well, today is September 29 and I dare not let the catch-up frenzy spill into October so here's a taste of what's happened throughout the summer...

Dad's Annual Birthday Bash -- complete with tons of relatives, friends, food and music.

Misty, Abe & Mira visited. It's a joy to spend time with family and a special treat to be with Mira who happens to be at the perfect age to play with.

The last 10 days of June, mom, me and my girls and Misty and Mira all went on a cruise to the US Virgin Islands. Some of us liked the pool, some liked the food, some liked the shows, some liked the sightseeing, some liked the beaches....all enjoyed the time spent together...which doesn't happen very often now that we all live separate lives in different places. I took 100's of photos...I'll spare you most of them!

Watch for birthday and UK posts...coming soon.

God bless you all!

Kim

Blog Revival -- Continued...

Between Misty graduating from Harvard, Madison from high school, the end of school for McKenzie & McKayla felt a little pushed back on the ladder of importance. I hope someday they understand!

We enjoyed sharing in the 6th grade party, their band concert and their Honor's Day just as much as we enjoyed everything else for everyone else...even if it there was less "pomp and circumstance".

They are so laid back and seem to enjoy whatever is going on around them in a rather quiet manner most of the time...there are those times when friends abound and tween-age giggling, silliness and nonsense abound. It's always fun no matter the mood.

We are blessed to have them both and we love them very much.

Kim

Could not get this photo to rotate and stay--but could not let the documentation of Honor Roll ALL YEAR for both girls go unnoticed!

6th grade band concert....both played sax.

McKenzie (above)

McKayla (above)

McKenzie ready for 6th grade dance (above).

McKayla ready for 6th grade dance (above).

Friends....

Blog Revival -- Continued

At the end of May and first of June, we had the privilege of celebrating Madison's graduation from high school. It was, quite possibly, one of our proudest moments. Madison is a focused, talented and intelligent young lady. Those traits often made high school very frustrating but at the culminating events such as the Academic Hall of Fame, Honor's Night and the Graduation, it was these traits that made it possible for her to earn so many accolades. Scholarships, awards, certificates and kind words were all witnessed by a host of friends and family members. We were happy to have everyone share in our joy and Madison's accomplishments. We also appreciate all those who celebrated through giftgiving, cards and prayers.

As I watch Madison end the childhood/adolescent periods of her life, I am reminded of the blessing and rewards of motherhood. I am also reminded that God gives us children to care for for a lifetime...to shower us with blessings of pride...and to allow us to better understand his parental love for us...

Madison -- I thank God for every remembrance of you and your childhood.

Kim