Christmas Eve

Since we celebrated Christmas with Tim's family Friday night, we spent Christmas Eve at home as a family. The kids begged to open some presents so we let them open what they got each other and we opened what they got us. I think he was happy with his matchbox police cars from Charlie
Charlie opening her gift from Walter
Brittany opening her gift from Chris
Walter tying out his Juggling balls from Brittany
Tim being his goofy self opening his gift from Charlie
Chris helping me open my gift (a chopper) from him

After opening gifts we decorated sugar and gingerbread cookies and then ended the evening by watching It's a wonderful life. We had a great evening together.

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

In search of the "perfect" Christmas card picture

Over the last few weeks I have been in search of the "perfect" Christmas picture for our Christmas cards. With this many kids it is no small undertaking! My kids are cooperative (mostly), bit it is hard to get true smiles if they are not enjoying it. We did not have Olivia in all of them because we will probably be losing her soon. I took some of her by herself, they are in the post below. I took a couple hundred pictures:-}~here are a few.

Trying to recreate the picture up above in the header
This one was Chris's idea

We got snow Saturday, so of course we had to go out and take pictures.


When I told them to start throwing snow balls at me, they decided that this picture thing may not be so bad ofter all!
I took this one in Tower Place mall after we had been to a wedding downtown Cincinnati.

The last two were the ones I ended up going with. I have a lot of pictures from this weekend~Brittany's birthday, Christmas program, and Family visiting. Hopefully I will get them up soon.

Olivia

Happy 12th Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Brittany!! You are turning into a beautiful young lady. We love you and hope you have a wonderful day. 5 Years Old


10 Years Old
11 Years old

Freezing the Moment

I was thinking tonight that my kids are at the perfect ages and I wish I could freeze time. They are old enough to be developing great personalities, help around the house, and get along(mostly) with each other. But they are young enough to still be my babies.
My oldest is knocking hard on the door of adolescence. I keep getting the feeling that before I know it they will be grown and gone. So this Christmas I am going to cherish every moment and take lots of pictures, for soon they will be bringing the grand kids home!

The Terrible Twos~Revisited

I think someone had too much Birthday. His birthday was Monday, he cut holes in his shirt on Tuesday and cut his hair on Wednesday! Needless to say his school scissors have been taken away and can only be used with permission.


We had a small family party on Sunday with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle David Aunt Kelly and Cousins. Monday we took him to Dewey's Pizza and Starbucks for dessert. Starbucks is a special treat that they like to get on their birthday.
I think that he is off of his birthday high and is back to being his normal(mostly) good self.
Click on the picture below for pictures of the birthday festivities.

Untitled Album

Happy Birthday Chris!

Happy Birthday Chris.

We love you lots and are so glad that you are part of our family. First birthday

2005

2005
5th Birthday-2006
Summer 2007
Summer 2007

Today starts a month of birthdays in our family! Between birthdays and Christmas we are pretty broke by the time January comes around, but we love every minute of it. Hope you don't get tired of all the birthday pictures:-}

It's Begining To Look Alot Like Christmas

We have had our Christmas tree up since last week. This is the earliest that we have ever put up our tree. I am usually a stickler for waiting until after Thanksgiving, but the kids were begging and since we were going out of town for Thanksgiving I gave in. I've got to say it was really nice coming home and having that Christmas task already done. The kids and Tim did most of the tree which was really nice. We love alot of lights on our tree. We kind of lost count but there are at least 2500 lights. I do not have all of my stuff up but here are some pictures of the decorations so far.

Tim putting on lights while the kids straighten out the next branches.
Walter helping with the lights.
Chris's turn to help with the lights.
The kids put on all of the decorations.

My carolers above my closet.
My snowmen

Thankful

There are so many things for which I am thankful. This is not a complete list but some of the things that I have been thinking of this week.

Spiritual~

• God's great love that sent Him to die for me and my sins.
• God's guidance that helps me to know his will.
• A great church and Pastor.
• A Godly heritage.

Family

• A wonderful husband who I am more in love with than the day I married him.
• Brittany~My oldest who is quickly becoming a beautiful young lady.
• Walter~Who has a tender heart for God and desire to serve Him.
• Charlie~Who is the most giving and helpful girl I know.
• Chris~Who is the life of the party and completes our little family.
• My brothers and sister who are not just siblings but great friends~I love you guys!
• My Dad who has been a consistent example of Christ.

Material

• In the two years since Tim was hurt, God has taken wonderful care of our financial needs.
• For supplying us with a much needed van.
• A warm house and a place to lay my head.

Physical

• Healthy Kids and Family

Our family sang this song Sunday night in church. It pretty much sums it all up for me.

Thank You Lord, For your Blessings on Me
Written by: The Easter Brothers

Verse I

As the world looks upon me, as I struggle along
They say I have nothing, but they are so wrong
In my heart I’m rejoicing, how I wish they could see
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

Chorus

There’s a roof up above me
I’ve a good place to sleep
There’s food on my table
And shoes on my feet
You gave me your love Lord
And a fine family
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

Verse II

Now I know I’m not wealthy, and these clothes , they’re not new
I don’t have much money, but Lord I have you
And to me that’s all that matters, though the world cannot see
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Cooking up a Field Trip

This week we took the kids on a field trip to Cooking Up Fun. They learned how to make yeast rolls and honey butter. They had a great time learning to cook and spending time with some friends. They even got to eat some rolls and take some home!

Charlie cracking the eggs while Abbey looks on.

Christi and Brittany
Walter mixing the dough.
Kneading the dough and shaping the rolls
Trey, Walter and Will

I guess I forgot to take a picture of the final product but they were good.

Dinner Rolls

These are not the best rolls I have tasted but are nice because they only have to raise once for 45 minutes

1 3/4 c. lukewarm water

3 pkg. yeast (or 3/4 oz. of balk yeast)

5 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. powdered milk

1/2 tsp. salt

3 eggs

1/4 c. butter

Mix water and yeast together and let stand for 10 min. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. (may need to add a little more flour.) Pour out on a lightly floured surface. Roll out and cut into squares and place on a greased cookie sheet. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.

Bake at 350 untill brown (20-30 min.) Brush with melted butter when done.

Makes 24 large rolls.

Honey Butter

1 stick of butter

1 tsp of honey (or to taste)

Blend very well and allow to sit for 15 minutes before serving