December and Christmas

Beware: Here comes a very long picture post. :) Every Christmas comes with many pictures, and many memories.

We enjoy getting to see my nephews and niece often since they now live only 40 minutes away from us. Isn't it nice to have a brother to lay beside and pat your head?

 Of course, the fun only continues when your little sister decides to tickle you. These two are very close, and love each other to pieces. :)

 Quil and Micah often wonder when they come to our house, what all is in that box on the wall that we call our Shadow Box. So one evening, their Grandpa and Grandma took out everything and explained to them what the things were, and the stories behind them.

 Quil, Micah, Jonathan, and my daddy watching and waiting for the cuckcoo clock to go off! The boys love to see it, and as they are anxiously waiting and keeping their eyes on the door that the little birdie comes out of, it reminds us older ones that we need to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Jesus, and be ready for the exact moment when He is coming back to take us to heaven!

I love ice-skating, and enjoy it even more when I can skate with friends. :) This was on a homeschool day, so we got a better price. :)

  Christmas lights :)

 My brother and sister-in-love, Randy and Joy, planned on having a Christmas program at their church and then giving out plates of cookies and goodies, so for two days at my house, Joanna and I made over 750 covered pretzels, and a couple hundred cookies. :) It was fun working together.

 Joanna with the bagged pretzels.

 One evening we took the time to do a relaxing puzzle together while listening to Anne of Green Gables.

 The next day, our BRIGHT Lights Bible Study group was coming for a teatime at our house, so after getting all ready, we got out our chalk and made a welcoming sign on our sidewalk for the B.L. girls. :)

 It was a special time of tea and talking together.

 Then we played Apple to Apples for awhile, which was really fun with that group.

 Christmas Sunday- My brother Jason reading to his nephews, Quil and Micah

 Grandma and her little sweetie, Jewelyn

 Uncle Jeffrey playing a game of Chess with Quil

 The childrens' part of the Christmas program

 Jason and I played 'Angels From the Realms of Glory' together.

 Two days before Christmas- we opened all the gifts not having to do with Randy+Joy's family, because the next evening we opened those with them.

 Jason, me, and Jeffrey under my umbrella :)

 Christmas Eve- opening a few presents with Randy+Joy's family.
Jonathan with his Uncle Jeffrey

 Jewelyn watched the proceedings in a very interested way.

 Randy and Joy

 "Begin each day with a grateful heart"

 Jewelyn in her new coat and hat from her Aunt Brenda who sadly couldn't be with us for Christmas. We think she looks like a cute little Chef! :)

 Aunt Beth and Jonathan

 Uncle Jason and Micah

 Micah and me with special gifts from Randy, Joy, and Micah. I will enjoy using all the gelpens and stickers. :)

 I was so happy to get a very soft (and blue!) blanket from my friend, Joanna. :)

 Joanna was over-joyed to get a camera, and its accessories! :)

 Quil and Micah were over-joyed that they got new bikes from Grandpa and Grandma Albertson!

 Christmas morning- breakfast time

 Beth reading Jonathan a book. He loves books and is a very smart cookie! :)

 Doesn't it feel good when your 2-year-old nephew desperately wants to give you a kiss? He's a sweetie!

 Me and Jonathan on Christmas day

 Daddy and Mother on Christmas Day. They are sweeties too! :)

 Joy, Mother, Joanna, Emily, and Beth on Christmas day. The blue matching sweaters are from my Grandma Scoles. :)

 Playing a farm game

Playing a train game called Ticket to Ride

Beth, Micah, and Quil with a Mayflower boat that they made out of legos and tissues! :)

 Joanna and I's reflection in the window. I'm so thankful for the people God has brought into my life!

 Christmas night, we got snow! :) One of the only White Christmas's that I can remember. We normally go on a walk on Christmas day, but not this year. It was too cold for it all day.

 Robins love our cedar trees after it snows. Sometimes, we have to choose to be cheerful and sing like birds, even when it's cold and snowy around us.

 It's the little moments that are most special sometimes. Like your nephews blowing kisses to you through the window as you are outside taking pictures of the snow. :)

 Little moments like having your nephew joyously help you set the table.

 The Sunday after Christmas- a picture with my wonderful mother, who homeschooled me and my five siblings.

 A picture with my wonderful daddy who has taught me and my five siblings so much.

Happy New Year! I hope that each of you will trust the Lord with all your hearts during 2015. No matter where God leads you, His plan is perfect!

November in Pictures

On November 3rd, I went to the Denver Zoo on a free day, with my sister-in-love Joy, her four children, and her sister, Joanna. It was a very chilly day, but we had a good time! This was the first animal we saw.

 My nephews, Quil, Micah, and Jonathan in a hut by the elephants.

 All of us other than Joy, taking a break for a picture in this buggy.

 This bear looks like a soft, cuddly, teddy bear, but I'm sure it's not that nice.

The next day I tried taking some pictures of my niece, Jewelyn, on a mirror (an idea I saw on a photography blog). It didn't work so well, but a few of the pictures turned out cute anyway. :)

 She wasn't sure about seeing herself.

On November 5th, I had my 9th braces appointment. When we can, Joanna, my mother, and I wear the sweaters to my appointments to get extra points. :)

November 13th, Mother and I went with Joy, Joanna, Quil, Micah, Jonathan, and Jewelyn to the Denver Aquarium for the homeschool day. We were there for most of the day and saw a lot of interesting things, like these pretty-colored starfish.

~My nephews and me~

~Mother with some fish behind her~

 Joanna and the nephews with lots of sharks swimming behind them. The one right above their heads is interesting because its nose looks like a saw-blade.

 Quil and Micah's favorite part of the Aquarium was touching the Stingrays! Yes, it's allowed.

On the 15th, we got a nice snowstorm that was very pretty as it fell.

Thanksgiving week, Daddy, Mother, Joanna, and I, headed to Missouri to spend time with family, but first stopped to visit friends in Iowa, the McKay family. We had a blessed and wonderful time with them.

 Before we left, we all got our instruments out and enjoyed playing music together. :)

Thanksgiving week with family. This was our first morning at my brother and sister-in-love's (Tim and Brenda) home.

 I loved spending time with my niece Charissa, who turned 3 in November.

 It was so wonderful to see my siblings from college in Ohio again, because they came to MO for part of the week also. Here is my sweet sister Beth, who is always cheerfully helping wherever she can. :)

~Mother's early Christmas present to Charissa~

 Here we were at my grandparents' home, spending time with Mother's sisters and their families.

~Charissa and my brother Jeffrey~

 Grandma brought out old scrapbooks and history to look through.

~Charissa and my brother Jason~

~My Grandma and my brother Tim~

 Playing another game. My Grandpa is in the left top of this picture.

 My parents, and my oldest cousin, Rebekah enjoying the nice weather on the porch.

 The day before we had to leave, I took some pictures for Tim and Brenda. A few turned out really sweet. Here is one of them. ~Tim, Brenda, and Charissa Albertson~ Thanksgiving 2014

 My precious niece Charissa and I. I love this little girl so much!

 We had a very nice trip, and special Thanksgiving, and a wonderful November! I hope your Thanksgiving and November were blessed too! :)