Cashing In- #3

Levi's turn to cash in his

 Christmas present of a gift certificate, 

for an overnight and fun!

So far, each overnight has been very different!

This one was no exception!

Levi is 11 years old.

A game of card with Papa is a must!

Levi KNEW what he wanted to eat and what he wanted to do.

Pizza!

Not just any pizza, Idaho Pizza. 

So that's what we did.

~Idaho Pizza Restaurant~

Ahh, Levi is getting so big and mature!

His heart is so tender and compassionate. 

Next, we went

"Boy Shopping"

Because this was "his day",

he wanted to go to the Combat Sports Store. 

Not your typical store!

He was so excited!

Levi had saved up his money and bought an soft-air gun.

He practices all the time in their huge backyard.

Safety first... eye protection and all the safety procedures.

This store was a first for both Tom and I.

We actually learned quite a bit about soft-air guns and gun safety.

Levi left with a bag full of supplies for his air soft guns.

Back home,

it's always fun to take Banjo for a walk.

For dinner Levi requested his favorite dinner that I make.

Taco Rice Casserole!

(recipe at the end of post)

This recipe was handed down from my mother.

It has so much History in our family.

(For one thing, it was the first meal Kimmy ever cooked!)

After dinner was THE MOVIE!

Levi choose a Star Wars movie!

The only Star Wars movie I've ever seen, 

was way back,  May 25th, 1977.

So this was a big deal for Levi (and me!!!).

He was soooooo excited for us to watch together.

He made sure I understood what was going on.

He kept filling me in on the characters and what they were doing.

(Now I've seen two Star Wars movies.)

Our time with Levi, came way to quickly and 

the next morning he headed back home to

his excited brothers and sisters.

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

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,"

Jeremiah 29:11

Update for those who want the Taco Rice Casserole Recipe....

This recipe is so old I have reworked it.

I use frozen corn, not canned.

Sorry, it's so blurry.

Christmas 2020

Yes, we saw it!

The Christmas Star!

This picture was taken from our from porch.

Look closely, up in the sky!

  

Below is a little information about the significance and about God's design.

"Jupiter and Saturn will line up on Dec. 21, so close together that they’ll appear as one bright shining star. Many are referring to it as the “Christmas Star.” It’s the closest the two planets have appeared together in about 800 years, and won’t occur again until 2080.

This conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn may have an even closer tie to the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus Christ than its occurrence so close to Christmas this year. As noted by Johannes Kepler in the 17th century, a similar conjunction occurred in 7 BCE and could be the astronomical origin of the Star of Bethlehem  that guided the wise men."

~ Astronomy Magazine ~

****

TRADITION

Every year, Kimmy and I get together at her home to stuff stockings!

It's a great way to relax and go over the plans for Christmas.

We always end up laughing about something.

It's a great stress reducer.

Ten Stockings!

Another year of fun and surprises for everyone.

****

Everyday Banjo and I go for a walk.

Most days are the same but somedays we meet up with other regular walkers. Or we come across something fun or different.

Like apples that have fallen,

 that the ducks love to eat.

Banjo just watches them.

Other times it's the different secrecy.

 

Today on our walk, I came across a "sign".

Neighborhood boys put up this homemade sign.

It says.

" Snow Shovelers, 

any price

appt. not nessary      just call 

___-_______ to set up."

How cute is this.

Now we just need some snow.

Merry Christmas !!

and Peace on Earth

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

"Thanks be to God for his incredible gift!"

2 Corinthians 9:15

 

All Is Well...

December birthdays are always exciting!

After recovering from being sick, we celebrated mine.

This is our third year going for a carriage ride in downtown Boise.

All the kids, big and small were thrilled and 

excited to, trot through town.

The horse hoofs clamp, clamp on the pavement,

and the bells jingled, as we all shouted out,

🎄Merry Christmas!

to those who stopped to look.

A little rain didn't keep us, Seattle natives,
from enjoying this thrill.

Bob, the horse,

 even popped up his head for this picture!

Back at the house, I opened some 

very special birthday gifts

from each child!

What's a birthday without cake and ice cream?? 

Nathan thought we were singing to him.
So cute!


🎂   🎂   🎂

After celebrating my birthday, 

(all week long!)

I had some Kitchen Helpers over.

Chex Mix !

Easy and fun for the kids to make
and eat.

I just stood back and watched!

They are getting so big.

Can you tell they took over my kitchen?

I sure do enjoy Christmas break!!

Later in the week, a few grands came over 

and we made Christmas trees out of

pine cones, ornaments for their tree.

🌲 🌲 🌲 🌲 🌲

Here a babysitting hint!

Buy colorful, plastic cups

and let the kids have fun

building!

It doesn't matter what age,

they all love to build.

The higher the better.

And so much fun when it falls down.

Ahhhh.... satisfaction and smiles!

Well done Isaac!


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

"Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."

1 Peter 2:17

Happy New Year!

Christmas was very special for me this year.

I'm going to show and explain,

the BEST present I received.

Trey and I,

 our grandson in Seattle. 

write back and forth to each other.

This way he can practice his penmanship 

and I can have his thoughts.

I sent him a list of things that I love.

He sent back his list, next to my list.

He asked that I read his list 

out loud on Marco Polo.

(video texting),

Here I am opening the letter from Trey.

Mind you, this is a video,

so theses pictures are blurry.

This is part of his letter...

Then I come to the last page and start reading...

(and crying)

I looked up at Tom, still filming, and words couldn't

come out!

Trey's last item on his long list was,

that they are expecting!

Below are pictures take from a video, also.

Kimmy had her kids sit down, while they

 watched the video of me reading Trey's list. 

When they heard Todd and Steph were excepting, 

Ila kept jumping up and down

Lulu had a huge smile on her face.

Levi was clapping and yelling.

Silas jump out of his seat and shouted.

Isaac just kept jumping up and down.

(I don't think he understood but everyone else was jumping so, it was a good excuse to jump on the couch)

Their reaction was so sweet.
They are so happy to be having another cousin!

Todd and Stephanie are expecting a 

BABY!

If anyone is keeping count of how many
grandchildren we have,
this will be #9!

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

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; morn with those who morn."

Romans 12:15

Merry Christmas
and
Peace on Earth!

Celebrating the birth of our King!

Saying Thank YOU!

Saying, 

Thank You,

 to all our delivery guys!

This year we have used home delivery a lot.

From vitamins, books, lights, gifts and clothes!

The list goes on!

How about you, do you shop online?

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

"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. "

2 Timothy 2:24

My Funny Man

Below is a text to Kimmy

from me,  this morning....

For years now, Kimmy has been helping him

select my birthday presents and Christmas gifts.

What makes this so funny is that Tom is known for

the gifts HE buys for me.

When Kimmy was younger and unable to assist him,

Tom gave me the funnest gifts!

Here are some  of Tom's very memorable gifts.

 *A huge encyclopedia book.

 *A book on how to loose weight.

* Work gloves   (I think he needed some)

But the most memorable gift was an outfit just like the one below.

We lived in Seattle and it rained a lot.

He told me that he knew I like to garden.

So, with this outfit I could work in the rain!

Needless to say, our son wore it one winter as a snowsuit.

So, glad Kimmy is my personal shopper for Tom, these days.

Now Tom just needs to remember where he hides all his gifts!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Best Christmas Gift Ever!

 

Christmas Eve service

in the Barn!

 It was all lite up and warm.

 

These girls are sisters and they sang

so beautifully.

(this picture is of them practicing)

All the animals were outside.

The kids had both grandmas

to help celebrate with them.

 The candles were glowing

while we sang

Silent Night

Matching new, PJ's

 

Christmas morning,

 just before the kids came downstairs.

Waiting....

 

 

 Kimmy gave Mark several

surprise gifts to Mark.

 

 

 

Please go over to Kimmy's blog and watch the video 

titled,  Mark's Christmas Present.

 

https://ohmysoulrejoice.wordpress.com/2017/12/29/marks-christmas-present/

 

 

It was a great Christmas for all of us.

 

See you

New Year!!