Merry Christmas!

Our self portrait at Shawn's parents house. They had a Christmas gathering the weekend before with friends and family.
We played several games.

And shared our White Elephant gifts.

We had a great time, and many laughs!

Christmas morning the kids opened their gifts (one each) and found keys. When they asked what the keys were for, we told them they had to go outside and find out for themselves.

They ran around a bit until Ashley saw the roll bars on the other side of Uncle Jason's truck. (The blur is from their speed in racing to it!)

We had been hiding this for 8 months! We liked being able to go trekking through the woods together, and couldn't pass up an awesome deal we got in W.V!

Plus it was easy enough for Dylan to drive it!

Our first stop, Gran and Pop Pops for Breakfast...we went the long way of course!

We enjoyed exchanging gifts!

Then we gathered with family for dinner and fellowship! Silly mothers!

Merry Christmas Mem Mem!

Merry Christmas Aunt Val and Aunt Sue!

Dad playing with the newest member of our family...baby Calvin Christopher!

We ended the day with Scott and Debi! Merry Christmas guys! We love you!

Happy Birthday!

On Tuesday, I celebrated my birthday.
My dear husband stayed up until midnight making me a birthday cake the night before! (He was deliriously tired!)

The kids made me the coolest cards. Most of them said many nice things to me...

WHAT A WEEKEND!

Friday night we had some friends over for dessert and fellowship. The McClard's drove up from N.C. for a visit. We had a great time together playing some games...

Taboo was fun!

So was the "Penny" game.

The kids ate a little too much sugar!

Again, too much SUGAR!

Saturday night, we got nice and snuggled in our PJ's...

...and went to WaWa for some hot cocoa and donuts...

...then we piled back in the car...

...to look at Christmas lights!

Sunday afternoon, we celebrated Great Grandmom's 90th Birthday! (Simon & Kara...she LOVED your card!)

Sunday night was our churches Christmas Cantata "Even Unto Bethlehem." It was Ashley's 1st year in the choir, so she was pretty excited.

Playing in the SNOW!

The snow was so pretty. God gave us more than the weather man predicted! We took a long recess today and went sled riding down my parents back hill.
Dylan can snowboard all the way down! Such a talented - no, fearless - kid!

Yes, I went sledding too! It's a lot scarier when your older! Don't laugh too hard at the hair doo...I'm trying to grow my bangs out and I couldn't see with them in my eyes! Ashley and I hooked together a lot...figured if I died, I won't be meeting Jesus alone!

Considering I was in severe pain and had to use a wheel chair this time last year, I figure going up and down that hill 10 times, 11 to take this picture was quite a gift from God!

Pop Pop and Rocksy with the LAZY mobile! (Check out Rocksy in the air!)

He hooks up a sled and gives the kids a ride around. They seem to enjoy this form of "sledding" too...even when they fall off.

They tell me that when Pop Pop tips them, he laughs like crazy. Baaaad Pop Pop!

Winter Wonderland

Let it snow...Let it snow...LET IT SNOW! We're enjoying the beautiful snow coming down. We plan to go for a walk when Daddy gets home!

Something about snow, just enhances the Christmas season. They are only calling for 1 - 2 inches, but we'll take what ever we can get!

I made Poticia's over the weekend. Its a special treat in our family, handed down from my grandmother. Basically, you just make a sweet dough (like you would for cinnamon rolls) Most recipe books have it. Then you roll out the dough, spread 1 beaten egg, cinnamon sugar, walnuts, raisins, and melted chocolate chips on top the dough. Roll it up and tuck in the ends. Put in greased pan and bake 30-45 min. at 350 degrees! Yummmmy!

Have a great day!

Cook'n Out

We've been enjoying this crisp Fall weather...in case you haven't noticed yet! We decided to spend some family time together and cooked out on Saturday afternoon with a campfire.
My strange family... I think the camp fire brings out the Lumbee Indian in them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you, and your family, a blessed and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We enjoyed our day visiting with my parents, and family over my parents house. In the morning as I prepared our contributions to the day's meal, I remembered the severity of the pain I was in - just a year before... I couldn't help but pray...

Dear Lord...
Thank you for this day, to reflect on your goodness, and blessing.

Thank you for the freedom I enjoy in this country, both political and religious, and for all those who have given their lives for that freedom.

Thank you for my dear husband, my precious children, my parents, my family, that we can share in the joys and sorrows of life.

Thank you for my friends, and my church family; for their friendship and encouragement to "run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Heb. 12:1) Thank you for meeting my needs, the beautiful home I have, the clothes in my closet, the food in my kitchen.

Thank you for our Thanksgiving Day feast, for the many hands who worked to provide it, for my parents who spent their time and energies to serve it.

Thank you for your creation, that when I see it, I am awed by its beauty and perfection!

Thank you for the health and strength to walk, without pain, so that I might better serve you.

Thank you for the trials you have given me, that as I grow from them, I can see you more clearly.

Thank you for your grace, for giving me what I do not deserve; and your mercy, forgiving my sins that I never have to face your wrath.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying on the cross, to save me from sin and eternal punishment; THANK YOU for loving me, even when I hated you.

In Jesus name,

AMEN!
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Friday, we spent the day in Lancaster, PA.I really enjoyed seeing the Amish using their horses pulling plows and buggies.

Just add the beard (and probably a little smell) and I've got me a Amish husband!

An interesting way of travel!

Did I mention how thankful I am of heat in our vehicles?!?!

We went to dinner at "Good N Plenty" with our parents and Shawn's Aunt Linda & Uncle Mel.

They served us "Family Style" passing around plates of fried chicken, mashed potato's, pea's, etc.

Then we went to the American Music Theatre, to see The 2007 Christmas Show.

We enjoyed beautiful voices...

...many different Christmas songs...

...a few puppet skits...

...beautiful dresses...

---great performances...

---the 12 days of Christmas (with audience participation!)...

...and a little humor too!

There was a visit from Santa...

And some beautiful songs of worship....

Some tap dancing, and ballet...

...but I think...

...the closing was my favorite...

...a choral of "O Holy Night", as beautiful as it sounded.

Thank you, Audrey and Jack, for this very special Christmas gift. We love you.