New Year's Resolution

The difficulty of blogging in different spots is not knowing which blog to post on. So I put a post where I think it should go and put links on my other blogs, just in case you're interested! Peace and Joy in the New Year to you all!!! http://www.kindredhearth.blogspot.com/

Anna is Almost 2!!!!!!!

I can't believe Anna will be two in a couple of weeks. Here's a little flashback...I think she was a few months old in these pictures. How time has flown!!!!

The next generation of bloggers:

"Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!" From Tommy:

Pajama Party

Emily has some friends over tonight, and it really is a pajama party with all their coordinated pajamas! Earlier today Emily, her friends, and Oliver entered in the Deerfield Christmas parade. They dressed up as elves and bakers, handing out candy on a cookie tray. It was quite cute! After the parade, "Santa" visited the firehouse where we had hot chocolate and cookies. Parades have definitely become more exciting these days; The little children got as much, if not more candy at the parade than they did at Halloween! I don't know about you, but I don't remember getting candy at parades!!!!!

Anna's Pick

http://www.columbasplace.blogspot.com/

New Book Log

Announcing my book logging blog : http://www.columbasplace.blogspot.com/

picture surprises

The fun thing about having a family camera is finding great pictures my children take. Emily took these when Travis and I went out the other day:

Today we put out our Fontanini Creche that was given to me by my parents on my thirteenth birthday. What a special gift- little did I know I would be setting it up in my home twenty-six years later with my nine children! We first set it out on the table, but then realized that baby Jesus might not make it to Christmas. The little hands of the house are just so eager......

We settled on the book case in the playroom, where the lovely Christmas scene is viewed by all. On a little table in the playroom stands another Manger scene containing the beautiful stable my sister made us a couple years ago. This creche is definitely child-friendly, as it is adorned with our cherished wooden Ostheimer figurines. The children play with it every day!!!

How I love Christmas!!!

My Wonderful Mother

Everyone should get e-mails like this from their mother:

A Happy Joyful Advent to all my dear children!
I just came home from the monastery, and I had this wonderful idea. Inspired by the beautiful Advent readings, I can send you all advent messages. For this first message, I will tell you the words of Jesus will be in red:
My heart is moved with pity for the crowd.
Jesus cares about our every need. Take some time to think about how much our Dear Lord loves us. This saying is taken from Matthew's Gospel 15;29-37 .
The photo* is the view of my prayer corner at dawn. I have you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Let us remember Mike as he does his training, dropped into the sea in the dark, Oh HELP!
I love you all!
Grandma

(*picture at top)

Homecoming

We're movin' on up......
Travis and I went on a "date" yesterday to the grocery store and to grab a bite to eat. The older children were in charge of all the little ones. When we got home, Emily and Sam surprised us with a beautifully made gingerbread house.
I think Travis and I need to put the kids in charge more often!