Long time, no blog

I was off work during the days after Christmas and I did a whole lot of nothing. Normally, I wake up automatically at 6:00 am, but not this week. I found myself seeing the clock at 9-9:30 every day. Today is New Year's Eve. We'll be in church most of the day and then again tonight. After the day's services, we'll be going to the home of some friends to ring in the New Year. Tomorrow, I take down the tree. Bye-bye holidays, hello normalcy (how I've missed you!)

Madison at our house

Can dogs laugh?

Why, yes indeed. I do believe that dogs can laugh!

"His Unspeakable Gift"

Our Sunday School class performed their Christmas program nearly perfect on Wednesday night. Each child dressed up like a Christmas package and recited Scripture that had to do with the names of Christ - each gift representing a name. They went through the whole alphabet. "A" was for Author of Eternal Salvation, "B" was for the Bread of Life, "C" was for Christ the Lord," etc - you get the idea. It was a great program and I am sooo proud of our class!

Annaleise and Joey as Mary and Joseph. Aren't they just perfect?

Annisa, Austin, and Noel
Noel, Brianna, Joseph, and Brooke
Joseph, Shayna, and Mark

Mark, Jonathan, and Marcus

Giovanna, Isabella, and Michael

A little more Christmas

Found on Abbey's piano are my happy, whimsical Christmas carolers - so adorable!

Please come in!
Yes! Please do come in!

Up she goes!

The first 25-ton steel column for the new Freedom Tower was installed at ground zero today; but not before thousands of people wrote their thoughts and condolences upon them. What a perfect way to usher in the days before Christmas.

The Great American Myth...

Seen in front of our house on Saturday. Yes, Santa Claus is only a figment of our imaginations...
...but, wouldn't it be great if Santa Claus really could foot the entire Christmas bill?

MACY'S here we come!

8:31 a.m. BEFORE Macy's...

5:30 p.m. AFTER Macy's...
Look who took us to lunch! Neal met us at Macy's in mid-town Manhattan and treated us all to lunch at Chipotle's... THANKS NEAL! We loved every bite and every minute spent with you!

Fun times on the train...

After five hours of profitable shopping, we were happy and thankful...

A few of my favorite things!

It may not look especially special, but this ornament is! My mother-in-law sent us a big box of ornaments for our tree the first year we were married and this is the only one that still exists... I love it.
Neal's very first ornament painted by his Aunt Becky.
Daniel's very first Christmas ornament.

Abigail's very first Christmas ornament.

Handpainted for Randy and I when we were stationed at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. Wow - that was over twenty-five years ago!

Christmas roses...

If Randy wants to make me happy, this is all he has to do!

Sight and Sound Theatre

This past Thursday, we were able to travel to PA and see "The Miracle of Christmas" with Brother and Mrs. Clayton. We had a wonderful time!
The entrance...
Brother and Mrs. Clayton
Our family
Some friends and me. This little lamb was absolutely ADORABLE!

The gigantic tree in the foyer