Shopping in Richmond

Trey's dog he "built"

Mom with the GPS

For Christmas this year all of us kids got our parents a GPS program for the laptop. We were able to see how it worked when we drove to Richmond for the day. It was fun to be able to see the turn by turn directions. And also nice for my mom to be able to give an estimated arrival time, believe it or not she gets asked that quite a lot in a two hour period :).
In Richmond we visited the mall, it is much bigger than the one we have in Lynchburg. The mall was still decorated for Christmas and had a huge Christmas tree. I was able to get some good deals at my favorite store, New York & Co. and Trey made a dog in the Build a Bear Work Shop.

Yesterday Sydney got her staples out and is doing great! She is even starting to play with Cole again.

Friends & Family

We had a lot of fun today. The Boyer's (friends form Church) invited us over for the afternoon. We spent most of the time playing games and Tyler went hunting with his friend Tuck. Mommy and Daddy were able to spend the afternoon alone together.
This evening, after we went to the Boyer's house, Nanny and Babum came over for dinner. We always have fun together laughing and talking. We are very blessed to have such GREAT grandparents both here and in Ohio!

French Cookin'

Today Trey and Mommy assembled the K'nex set that he got for Christmas. It took them quite a wile but the Farris wheel looks great!!! Trey is very happy with it.

Daddy and I spent today shopping for and making a French meal we got out of a cook book. We made a chicken dish with onions and mushrooms, a Zucchini and Tomato Bake and Bitter Chocolate Mousse. Everyone enjoyed the meal. We even got out the water goblets and had sparkling grape juice.

Tyler and Trent have been enjoying the computer and PlayStation games they got for Christmas. Amber is still loving her mp3 player!

More Christmas Pictures

Me and Amber

Tyler's Jump-Suit

"Kung Fu Panda!!!"

Trey's Webkinz Ornament

CHRISTmas 2008

Trent's Hat Light

Babum's (Grandpa) & Nanny's Tree


Nanny & Amber

Babum & Nanny

Amber

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! We all woke up around 7:00 and ran out to the tree. Daddy read about the prophecies of Jesus from Isaiah and reminded us of the reason Jesus came to earth.

Then we opened our gifts. Trent was extremely exited about his "Kung Fu Panda" computer game. Amber got an MP3 player which she listened to all day long. Tyler enjoys hunting so my parents bought him camouflage winter-jumpsuit. Trey is really into spy stuff so he received a detective kit. I am hopping to go to France on a missions trip next fall so I got a digital camera to take pictures of my trip.
Then we all went over to our grandparents house, along with our Uncle, Aunt and there two children, for a few more gifts and refreshments. We had a wonderful time celebrating with the family and are looking forward to the new year.

Ashley singing- The Old Rugged Cross

Sydney's "Puppy"

Today we have spent most of our time cleaning the house and getting it ready for Christmas. Daddy's vacation starts tomorrow so we are going to kick it off with looking at Christmas lights tonight like we do every Christmas.
Sydney is doing much better physically. She hasn't even needed her pain medicine today. Emotionally however she is a little crazy! Her motherly instincts have kicked in and she has adopted a rubber chicken as her own. She caries it around everywhere with her and tries to make a nesting aria with her blankets for the toy chicken. When she goes to sleep she brings it in her crate and puts her head on it. It is so funny!
If you would like to hear a sample of the music we've played and sung at Church click on the song titles below.

5 kids - Joy To The World

Ashley singing It Is Well With My Soul

select download after clicking on song

Baked Goods

We have been making a lot of baked-goods lately. Today I made Christmas cookies shaped like Christmas trees. The others made scones, chocolate dipped pretzels and my mom is in the proses of making chocolate truffles.
The scones are a family tradition. Daddy bakes them and we pass them out to friends and neighbors.
Another family tradition we have is making gingerbread houses. Each year they seem to get bigger. Amber made a school house complete with a bell and Trent made one with a pretzel fence around it. Tyler made one that has the windows cut-out so you can see inside. Trey's house has one of the side taken off so he can decorate the inside too. My house is the one with the Christmas tree in front and a wood shed.

Our Dogs

We have had a difficult few days. Our dog Sydney was due to have puppies but miss-carried. She was unable to have them come out naturally so she had so have a C-section. Today she is in a lot of pain but doing OK. Cole, our male schnauzer, is very confused at why his Sydney will not play with him :).

Sydney is five years old and Cole is one. They are both miniature schnauzers and we enjoy them very much.

Christmas Recital

On Tuesday our family participated in our homeschool groups Christmas recital. Amber, Trey and I played piano pieces. And all of us including Daddy played "Joy to the World" with our instruments. Tyler plays the guitar, Trent plays the mandolin, Amber the banjo, Trey violin, Daddy plays the bass and I sang.
Last Sunday we had the opportunity to play "Joy to the world" in front of church. Everyone seemed to enjoy it so we hope to continue doing that.

Welcome!!!

Thank you for looking at my blog! The main purpose of this blog is to let family and friends keep up to date on what is going on in our life. We have a family of seven which means there is always a lot going on so I will hopefully be posting on a regular basis.