Cheers to 2011!

hehe! This picture was taken last year. Apparently Tim and Rita thought we had TP'd their house, so this year we've all been invited to their New Year's Eve celebration (as if THAT will keep us out of trouble!)! Someone has been tampering with their Christmas lights, too ~ who knew?!?! Looking forward to a fun night with great friends, homemade chili and appetizers, and an early New Year's toast!

...and great things to come in 2011!!!

________________________________________

...here are a few from this year...

 

 

 

 Pinata Fun!

 ...birthday cake for Nathan...

...Elly with her 2011 fondue treats...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

...my latest read...

I was thrilled to find this book in my stocking!  I started it last night and it's been so hard to put down ~ even harder to come to work today when all I wanted to do was keep reading!!!  The author, Harry Bernstein, started writing it when he was 93 years old after his wife passed away.  He tells the story of his childhood growing up in a northern England mill town in the early 1900s ~ his family lived on the Jewish side of the street and the other side was Christian ~ only steps apart but separated by an invisible wall.  He has two additional books in the series, The Dream and The Golden Willow, which I'm sure will be next on my list!

...one more celebration...

Margie came in today to spend a few days with us.  Greg and I hosted and we had ham (thanks Mom and Daley), homemade scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, glazed carrots, Mom's cole slaw, rolls, and homemade ice cream ~ yum!!!

...ice cream makers...

...oh my gosh ~ I totally need makeup, or SLEEP!!!

 

 

 So cute!

...playing Christmas songs for us...

 ...Joshua showing Margie one of his (many) lego projects...

 

...amazing peeps...

 ...wine of the evening - very yummy!

Welcome, Hannie!

We welcomed Hannah's twin, Hannie, into our family today!

 



Our Newest Family Member

Mom and Daley just adopted Tucker, an 8-month-old black lab -

isn't he adorable?!?!



Christmas Happenings!

...the advent calendar is full ~ that means it's Christmas Eve!!!

...on our way to Christmas Eve service with Dad and Mom ~ what a beautiful service with children doing the readings and wonderful music (including singing the first verse of Silent Night in German)...

 

...over to Dad and Mom's for our traditional lasagna dinner...

 

 

...opening presents...

  

 ...back at home - checked NORAD to see where Santa was (Cancun, Mexico! with the Kimbro's)...

 

...cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer... 

...the tree and stockings await...

  

 ...6:30 am ~ wide awake and ready to go!!! 

(but not quite Greg and I!)

 

 

 ...after playing all day we were off to Mike and Gail's for a light dinner and to open presents with Gailie ~ who had to FLY (say it isn't so) on Christmas Eve!!! 

...gotta love Hannah's eyes... :-)

 
The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--
has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 
Luke 2:11