The Christmas Fly

This is a fly that has full advantage of

our home. He can go anywhere and do anything

he wants because...

 

Tom, the animal lover,

has PARDONED the fly!

 

He has even named it,

The Christmas Fly.

 

 

 

Tom is such an animal lover

he saves the worms that

have crawled up onto the patio,

after a hard rain.

 

Yup, that's him in his bathrobe

Saving the Worms!

 

 

~~~~****~~~~

 

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his internal power and

 divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."

 

Romans 1:20

 

 

 

 



Thanksgiving 2017

 

What does it look like when you have invited

30 people over for Thanksgiving?

 

Kimmy had all the tables set up

and beautifully decorated.

 

Lulu was in charge of arranging the dessert table.

There were all kinds of delicious pies.

And a few cookies, too.

 

Patiently waiting for company.

 

 Kimmy is a perfect hostess.

 

 

 This is the "boys" table,

ranging from ages from 3 to 16.

Tom and I sat here to supervise,

making sure there were table manners.

They all were perfect! 

 

Tom and I arrived early to be

helpful and to hand out  hugs.

It was a hard job but someone had to do it!

 

 Mark reminded us to think about all our blessings

and why we celebrate

 Thanksgiving!

 

Ila May is so excited for Christmas!

 

 

The traditional Thanksgiving picture.

 

 

 

*Before*

*After*

 

The weather was beautiful

and the all the kids

enjoyed being outdoors.

One tradition they have every year,

is a scavenger hunt for the

children.

They call it, Strut The Turkey

 

 It has the kids running all around the house,

from one end to the other,

even on the balcony.

STOP...

picture time! 

In the end, when they find Strut,

 they get candy.

 

 Another tradition...

.... the second meal after everyone has left.

Papa (Tom) is sharing some pie with Isaac.

 

 Clean Up Crew

at the dessert table!

 

Who needs a dog?

 

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.

This was one of my favorites!

 

 

~~~~****~~~

 

"We love because He first loved us."

 

1 John 4:19

 



It's Official!

The Torch has been passed!

 

Thanksgiving has always been at our home.

For years we would have family and friends over to share the holiday.

 Sometimes it would be a surprise who would show up.

New recipes were tried out,

(one time we mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes, didn't go over well!)

 

One memorable Thanksgiving we had a house full of hungry people and the power went out!

 God was good because all the cooking was finished.

We were just about to sit down.

We were in the dark

 

We ran around collecting all the candles we could find.

Thanksgiving continued by candle light,

without a hitch.

Lots of memories for me, at this time of the year.

 

Which leads me to the torch being passed.

Kimmy has now started her new family traditions, at her home.

 

This year she is having 30 people.

I mentally fought the thought of not serving the Thanksgiving dinner, anymore.

Until this year!

It all started when Kimmy asked to borrow some little knives

 so she could use them for a cheese spread.

Sure! I said.

I pulled out my assortment of tiny knives.

They look pitiful!

 

I couldn't send these over.

So I bought her some new, matching knives.

This made me think,

I'm no longer making Thanksgiving dinner.

 

All week long Kimmy has been preparing for Thanksgiving.

She has been sending me pictures of her excitement.

 

They put up their Christmas tree

 

 

Isaac was so excited!

 

 Levi put up the nativity scene.

 

Kimmy cleaned her oven...

 Washed the crystal that has been

the traditional cranberry dish for years.

(it was passed down a few years ago)

 

 Candy bowls were filled, to the brim!

 

 Today, she texted me, the turkeys are in the ovens.

 

Kimmy is even trying out new recipes!

Yes, it's official.

 

THE TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED!

 

It's makes me so happy to see how she has grown into

a woman who loves the Lord and

 serves with her heart.

 

Kimmy it is my pleasure

to give you the torch!

(Or should I say, spreading knives.)

 

I love you!

 

 

~~~~****~~~~

 

"Children are an inheritance from the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

 

Psalm 127: 3-5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



McCall in the Snow

 

It was Mark's birthday and Kimmy

reserved one of our Vacation Rentals, for several days.

So, the day after we got home from Seattle, Tom and I

headed up to McCall.

We got there in time to celebrate and for some sledding.

 

 

Kimmy's form was, Lady Like.

And a lot of giggles.

 

 Me, well, I had the Safe But Fast form.

 

 Here's Levi and Silas.

They buddied up.

 Lulu and Ila May snuggled together.

 

The weather was clear and cold.

 

Kimmy cracks me up!!

She reminded me of when she was a little girl.

All smiles and giggles.

It was so much fun!

 

We had all the kids over for popcorn and a movie, while

Mark and Kimmy

went out for Mark's birthday dinner.

Each child had their own electric recliner.

 What's a movie without popcorn!

 We hung our new quilt

in the Thomas.

 

Both are so beautiful,

hanging from the loft walls.

 

I am so thankful for what God has provided and given us!

 

Blessing to you all!

 

~~~***~~~

 

"And what ever you do, whether in word or deed.do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him."

 

Colossians 3:17



Gone And Back

 Tom and I hit the road, again!

Same road, different ride.

 

We took our "new to us" travel van to Seattle.

It was getting late in the season and several mountain passes were closed due to snow.

So we improvised!

We took the long way and went around the mountains.

This meant a few more days of traveling.

 

We didn't care.

We are like a turtle.

We travel WITH our home.

 

First night was at a Walmar

Or better known as Walmart.

In the morning, I stayed in bed,
 while Tom drove us to a Starbucks.

I'm so spoiled. 



 There is always a huge agenda and a sense of rush
when we pull into the Seattle area.

We both had our annual physicals.
A meeting with our financial planner.
A meeting about my mom's estate and will.
But the most important was

visiting with my Aunt Bobbie.

(my mom's sister)



 Can you believe she's turning 92 in January?



We parked our travel van
 in Todd and Stephanie's driveway.
(I love that I don't have to pack or unpack a suitcase)
 

That way we can see this guy in action....

 ***Kindergarten picture***



Walk him to school...

 
and watch him play! 

 

 

We get extra special time, one on one, with Scarlett.

 Here's Papa getting her ready for the day.

He's on hair styling detail.



 

After a week of hugs and kisses, it's time to go.

 

When Todd and Kimmy were growing up,

we'd have cinnamon rolls every Sunday.

We called them, Vitamin C's.

 

So, the Sunday we left,

we baked them

as a farewell breakfast.

 

We won't be back to Seattle until after the snow melts,

which is sometime in February.

 

  

Seattle is beautiful...

 

But so is home...





 

 

~~~~****~~~~

 

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

 

Genesis 1:1