New Baby and Parties!

We are excited to have a new granddaughter! Heidi is excited about little baby Martha! Mama and baby are doing great!

It was our turn to do the ladies Christmas Tea at church and we came up with the theme "Carol's of Christmas" and there was lots of singing. The young ladies also did a Christmas Caroling skit. We had little trees on the tables and each was decorated to illustrate a different Christmas carol. We used it for a game.

A young lady in our church and music teacher did a great devotional sharing the history of different carols.

We decided to try a charcuterie table for lunch. It was so good! I love all the fresh food and how simple it was to put together.

The grandchildren pop in almost daily and enjoy looking at the different Christmas ornaments and decorations around the house. Here's Gideon pointing out baby Jesus in the stable.

Earlier in December my sisters and I gave my dad an 80th birthday party with all his friends, relatives, and people from their church.  He requested pizza so that made it super easy and everyone loved it! It is hard for me to imagine that my dad is 80. He doesn't get around that great, and he moves like he's 80, but its hard to imagine that many years have gone by. God has been good to him in giving him a long life despite having had multiple heart attacks over the years. He is a living miracle in more ways than one.

I didn't get out Christmas cards this year. I wanted to but just had to let something go. Never-the-less, I wish you all a very merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior! May God bless you all and give you a wonderful time with your family and friends!

The Grandchildren & Some Other Stuff

Well, the sheetrock is almost all up and Arthur finished insulating in the peak.  Close quarters up there.   We sure appreciate Ben H. coming over and working such long hours to help us get things done.  Some nephews and my father-in-law have put in time too which really helps. 

Oh, did we ever have fun with Naomi and her girls!   (I have no idea why my face is so shiny on this photo, it really isn't!)  Anna is pretty much a mama's girl although she sure doesn't mind anyone holding her and has such a sweet smile.  Esther has a sweet smile too and says the cutest things.  The girls enjoyed being called "The aunties" by Esther.  Not a dull moment!

So many smiles!

Amos and Rebekah and the boys joined us for family devotions one night when the cousins joined Hosanna on the stairs.  Oh the fun of having cousins! We also love having Amos and Rebekah and the boys here for devotions!  

Anna does have an adorable smile!

And we can't forget little Gideon who seems to change by the day.   So cuddly! 

I know icicles are a sign of needing insulation, but I sure enjoy seeing these works of art. Can you see the one reaching down to the window below? They get so long  this time of year. That little window on top is in our bedroom and I just love looking out at the sun shining off the icicles during the day.  Sometimes it's hard reading and hearing about people down south who are looking at spring knowing we have almost two months of winter ahead of us, or more.  But then, I think of all the projects I need to get done and I say,
Let it snow!
Well, I hope you all have a wonderful evening and take time tomorrow to fellowship with God and other believers!  

Busy Days

(I think "Busy Days" is the title of a book our kids had when they were little :)  Anyway, my wonderful sister Kim lent me her new cookbook,  The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond.  I don't know about her tv show but I love her cookbooks!!  Anyway, this recipe for pico de gallo is in it and we've made it lots of time this fall.  You have to try it!  It has equal amounts of tomatoe, onion, and bell pepper in it.  Lots of jalepenos (we don't use too many), a good handful of fresh cilantro, salt, and lime juice.  (I've been using lemon because I like it better).  It is so good with chips!!  Even better than nacho cheese sauce.  We've also put it in pita bread and made some awesome guacamole with it.  With all the fresh garden stuff it's so easy! Anyone who has eaten at our house more than once knows we eat tons of nacho chips. (Their first meal at our house is likely to be spaghetti with delicious homeade garlic bread).  Chips make such a fast lunch on busy days and this is one great way to enjoy them!

Someone said one time that they'd like to see photos of the petunias when their full grown.  I'm afraid they looked thier best about a month ago and now they have started to die down.  Anyway, here's Miriam and I'm not sure whose hoeing way back there. Should be the last time they need weeding for this year.

Nathan M., Rebekah's brother, helped weed and here he is with Silas.  It's kind of a blurry picture but you can see them going down down along the highway.  Note how dry the grass is.  Partly because it's fall, but mainly because it is just so dry here.  They really did look nicer awhile back!

Our church had a nice baby shower for Gideon.  This picture makes him look so long but really he is just a sweet little guy!!  It was a very nice shower. 

Daniel celebrated his 4th birthday yesterday.  My how time flys!  Rebekah made a fantastic ice cream dessert with crushed sugar cones as the crust.

I wish we could post more often.  We are way too busy!  Sometimes I look at how long my to-do- list is and get so discouraged.  It's nice to know that God understands.  How many times did Jesus try to get away to rest from all the people?  Lots of times.  I know we don't have anywhere near the demands Jesus had on Him but I'm sure he understands being worn out and tired. 

Arthur is feeding silage to the beef cows.  Not sure what the guys are up to.  Priscilla is doing school.   Miriam is canning the last of our tomatoes into spaghetti sauce and Hosanna is making a few pear pies.  There are not many people who can make pies as good as Hosanna!  How beautiful she makes them look!   I made up a few batches of cranberry pear pecan jam.  Probably my favorite jam of all we make. 

It's Dairy Weekend coming up at the cornmaze so we've been getting some special things ready and it looks like the weather will be perfect.  So that's how it goes at our house.

It's a Boy!!

Gideon Raymond
8' 6oz. 20" long
Gideon means "Great Warrior".
May he always fight for God and what's right!  Gideon will have to be tough with three big brothers who love him!  Can you tell how happy Amos is with four sons! Raymond is one of Gideon's Great Grandpa's name. (These pictures aren't in any special order and I was unable to download them all, but, I know you'll enjoy them Grandpa and Grandma M. and N's. and aunty and uncle!!)



What a cute little guy!  Rebekah said it was her shortest labor, and easiest even though he was her largest baby.

 

Such cute little cheeks Gideon has!

Aunty Miriam taking her turn holding Gideon.

 



The boys were so excited that they kept wanting to hold him.  For some reason they thought his name should be "Shooter" and called him that.

The boys had to check out this brother by peeking at his eyes, poking him in the nose, patting him on the head and rubbing his cheeks.  He passed inspection and will be very, very well loved!

Congratulations, Amos and Rebekah!  We love you and your boys!