William and I made cookies today.

We felt like chocolate.

Chocolate cookies + Raw milk + Kisses from the helper = Very good time.

Enjoy the pictures.

Mixing the ingredients is always a good place to start.

Step two: Look as cute as possible while putting dough onto the cookie sheets.

Eat the leftover dough and get chocolate on your face.

Watch the cookies bake...we want them to come out just right, don't we?

Patiently wait for cookies to cool and give chocolate kisses.

Carefully remove cookies from pan.

It's very important to burn the hand, because that means an ice pack, more kisses and....

...A COOKIE! :)

Other random news...

Christmas time is hear...happiness and cheer. Fun for all, that children call their favorite time of year.

A year of wonderful, and some very momentous occasions has passed us by once more. It will be a year that we all look back on and stand in awe as we see the Lord's hand in every situation. When Christmastime comes around, it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, to shop till you drop and always be on the run. In between our regular life and then church events, this past December was indeed a very busy one. But through the Advent readings each evening, with family being here to celebrate with us, we've been able to sit back, relax and worship the one who came as a babe and gave us a reason to celebrate. Time with dear ones who come from out of town is always too short, and we try way too hard to squeeze everything into the time we have. But each moment has been enjoyed and we will be sad to see the sister, BIL and the oh-so-cute nephew head for home tomorrow morning. Many memories have been made, and this was truly a Christmas to remember.

I've decided to just post about Christmas Eve and the days leading up to it. *ducks from tomatoes I'm sure you're throwing at me* Maybe this will force Jessica into posting about Christmas day. :)

Somebody made some huge snowballs this year. Maybe it was because there was no snow on the ground yet.

Lots and lots of popcorn balls.

So Christa likes to play in the mud, is that weird or something?

My, oh my...the burn barrel gets used quite often during this time of year!

Dad and his grandson. Nobody gives horse rides like this Grandpa!

Camera wars? Or is Christa trying to tell me that she's an angel? I mean, Daniel seems to be blinded by her light. :)

Recognize this floor? You've seen a peek into a long wait at the airport. I don't think the wait was all that long, but it certainly felt like an eternity! And when it's after 1:00 am, everything seems long.

He's a deep thinker.

Mmmmmmm...shrimp cocktails for an appetizer. This simple dish reminds me of home and extended family.

My mom fries bacon in style...does yours?

The Light of the World is Jesus.

Emma had a little lamb (or two)...

Her expression says it all..."I'VE GOT EEYORE!!!!!"

Oh boy...our gunslinger, cowboy, western star, Will-0-the-West, a.k.a. Roy Rogers gets some stylish PJs and cowboy boot slippers!

Oh, and an ornament to go along with them.

Not a turkey, but Dad can cut a leg of lamb quite nicely...especially since this was the first one he'd ever carved.

The picture of family gathered around a feast is a beautiful one indeed.

William was ready to get his new PJs on, but dinner was in order first.

And with a big dinner comes lots of dishes...but with this happy peppy group, they were done in no time!

Yeah, these two are rather lazy...go ahead, you can agree with me.

Guess.

A family tradition from Ben's family finds it's way into our home, stomachs and hearts. If these don't show up next year, people have threatened to do some pretty wild things...

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Presents were being wrapped by Melissa...the mouse?

Lights. Camera. Action.

Self portraits during the traditional game of Cranium.

Draw faster, Ben!!! Wait...why am I cheering for you? You're not on my team....

And Daniel is up for the challenge to draw blindfolded. Nice green satin eye mask, eh?

Now you see an empty couch...

Now you don't.

Christmas morning finds us getting coffee before the sun has come up. And here is where I stop, and let's hope that Jessica picks up. :)

I hope that y'all all had a wonderful Christmas and as we enter this new year, may you be truly blessed. Now I'm off to see what adventures are in store for me....

No, the sun was not shining, but then again, we weren't overly concerned. Our "family" was coming over to share a Thanksgiving feast with us and there was still some work to do. As we scurried around getting things finished, I think we were all contemplating the Lord's goodness. I wonder how much society would change if people would recognize that each and every day is a gift and find something to be thankful for. At one point, I took time every day to write down one thing I was thankful for in a little journal I have. It was then that I began to realize how rich this life is, and how God has showered blessings on me, my family and those around me. Every day there is something new...not really brand new, but something I've never seen before. And for this gift, I am very thankful.

The Bible tells us that in everything we are to give thanks. Even on stressful days, there is something we can walk away with, some lesson to learn, and if that's all we can find, then let us be thankful for that! But most days aren't like that, so instead of taking everything for granted, recognize what you've been given. Give thanks to God, and share your thankfulness with those around you.

This year I'm thankful for my wonderful family...I don't know what I'd do without them! I'm thankful for the growth of our family, for my sister, BIL and my nephew. I'm thankful for my church family and how the Lord has knit our lives together in such a unique way. And I'm thankful that the Lord has shown me the path He has for me, and that a new page in my book will begin soon. So with that, I present to you some photos of our very memorable Thanksgiving! If you leave a comment, please mention at least one thing you are thankful for!


Because it was Thanksgiving Day, we brought out some pecans for Miss Suzy. She usually gets the walnuts from the yard, but it was Thanksgiving! She scratches at the door waiting for us to feed her now. Cute, huh?

Mmmmm, Pumpkin Pie with a twist. I think I'm going to modify the recipe again and try it out this Sunday...interested in coming for the taste test?

Dad's carving knife vs. Peter's carving knife. Do I hear bids on the winner?

They might get more meat than I will...but I still prefer my methods. :)

Gathering round to remember the trials of the Pilgrims, to sing and give thanks.

Five Kernels of Corn!
Five Kernels of Corn!
Ye have for Thanksgiving Five Kernels of Corn!

William entertained us as the resident artist.

Many of the same faces were in the photo of the Turkey Carving Class of '08.
Though he was greatly missed this year, we are proud to have one of our "graduates" overseas serving our country as a USMC.
So, above is the Turkey Carving Class of '09!

The little man needed some daddy time.

Yup...he who carves the turkey gets the first bite in our house! Never mind that we have the same turkey carver every year...and I don't think he's planning on retiring anytime soon!

Behold the dining room!

There's just somethin' special about the red-head in the pink shirt!

Poor Jess...she had no idea what we were doing to her photo.

What a happy bunch we are...and you haven't seen the worst yet!

Yeah...I love you too, Meli! :)

Before you continue please read:
Now, after our late lunch, we had some pie, and then we all had some coffee. Five good friends on sugar and caffeine can sometimes be a very scary thing...when we're talking about these five people, we know that each time is a scary time. So, we blame our actions on the sugar and caffeine...or at least, I think we do...

How high can you jump?

Do you see the pattern?

Do you have a funny face? Do let us know!

Awwww...aren't we a nice bunch? You know, that 35 pound weight is really, really heavy!

It would've made a very nice album cover if only we had our hats...

Oh, imagine the excitement when we discovered the ladder!

Here we are on a magic carpet ride. You wouldn't believe the things we saw!

All prepared for Black Friday...anybody see what's so funny about this picture?

Don't ask. I have no idea what they were doing...I wasn't there.

Guess what? We're beginning to crash...

See what I told you? Out like a light...

THE END.
P.S. ~ If you leave a comment, don't forget your assignment! :)