Christmas 2014

This year has flown by.  Merry Christmas!  Yesterday we went to church and had a nice family dinner together and then opened family presents.  Our kids get so much that every year Ben and I are saying we will give our kids corncob dolls the next year.  Here is Gwen before church.  This is her nicest dress and I did her hair and even let her wear a necklace of mine.  

Zeke recently has forgotten how to smile. :)

Doesn't he look so handsome in this shirt and sweater?  It took some talking into as he likes to dress for comfort.  He tried this on and said, "well, this isn't too bad."

When we picked out Gwen's dress from her closet I realized that Romy had one almost the same color.  They look like they were made to go together.  Three beautiful and healthy kids... thank you Lord.

At church trying for a family picture. 

Cheesing for the camera

I thought her profile was so pretty.  This is right before she realized she was given a battery operated candle instead of a real candle.  She was not happy with that and made it known.

Daddy and Romy after service.

Gwen and her Victorian Elegance Barbie.

We got Romy a rocking horse.

Gwen testing her remote control Barbie car.

Zeke got remote control fighting robots.

We spent some time putting jamberry nail stickers on Gwen's nails.

Romy Christmas day... our little snow princess.  The kids got a Wii game system as their large shared gift.  You can see them in the background playing.

Snowman Ornaments

We made homemade Christmas ornaments the other day inspired by my friend Leah.  We used things we had on hand to make what is supposed to look like a snowman that has melted.  We used peppercorns because I thought that might look like lumps of coal.  The first attempt was not pretty.

but the second and third and fourth attempts looked much better!

I've been in an attempt this year to do away with all the metal hooks on our ornaments and replace them with strings.  I saw an X-ray of some kid that swallowed a hook and now I'm nervous.  With all the babies we've got coming into the family now and also my Romy I just thought I would ere on the side of caution. 

A week until Christmas.  I'm looking forward to it.  I'm getting more and more in the Christmas spirit. 

Peek-a-boo and Rainbow

Here is Romy saying peek-a-boo.  Her speaking has really taken a leap lately.  She is saying "all done" and "trees" and "cheese" and "trash" and all manner of words.  She knows many parts of the body and really gets a kick out of pointing out her belly button.  This is such a sweet age and we are enjoying her very much. 



A photo I took of a rainbow today.  It was so bright!  We are looking forward to Christmas and I am trying to enjoy December.  It seems it is going by so quickly!  I sang the Christmas concerts with the Kansas City Chorale and enjoyed that very much.  

Thanksgiving 2014 highlights

Pilgrim's Hymn

I'm singing with the Kansas City Chorale again for the holiday concerts.  I must admit, it is good to be back.  We are doing a set of songs composed by Stephen Paulus because he just passed away.  One of them is this song and it is one of those songs that makes an impression on your heart I think.  Here are the lyrics and the audio of the song for your enjoyment.

Original text for "Pilgrims' Hymn" by Stephen Paulus


PILGRIMS' HYMN
Even before we call on Your name

To ask You, O God,
When we seek for the words to glorify You,
You hear our prayer;
Unceasing love, O unceasing love,
Surpassing all we know.
Glory to the father,
and to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.
Even with darkness sealing us in,
We breathe Your name,
And through all the days that follow so fast,
We trust in You;
Endless Your grace, O endless Your grace,
Beyond all mortal dream.
Both now and forever,
And unto ages and ages,
Amen