Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family...

Drew, Amber, Russ, Gloria, Rhett and Melissa

We had to get one last photograph, even in the snow, before Amber left to go back to New Jersey. We miss you, sweetie, and will see you over spring break when the snow thaws (hopefully!).

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts

"It's my turn to hold baby Jaxon!" -- Melissa and Gloria

Crystal, Kylee Bug and Travis (enjoying his time off from work...)

Zach loves his daddy

Rhett with his new keyboard

Amber and guy from Abercrombie and Finch (shhhhhhh...)

Jeff, Zach and Brenda

Amber and Grandma

Zach and Kylee

Jacob

Grandma and Emma

Russ and sweet baby Jaxon

Katty and John and the infamous game of Settlers of Catan (it just wouldn't be Christmas vacation without it)

Russ and adorable Emma

Squirrel Girl -- Glo

Jaxon mesmerized by Melanie and her guitar

Christmas 2008

Russ and Melissa with their "just woke up" Christmas morning faces...We wanted to sleep in, and with teenagers you'd think that was possible, but, no, Rhett and Gloria joined us in our bed by 6 AM, and there we all slept for another hour before Drew jumped aboard (he wiggles too much, so we were up shortly thereafter). Amber had to be woken up - - it seems she was the only one who got the memo to sleep in.

Grandpa F. came by earlier in the week for a gift exchange...Here he and Amber pose in front of our tree.

Amber, Grandpa P. and Rhett

Drew, Grandma P. and Gloria

 

Amber and mom hugging

Christmas Eve: Luke II Reenactment

Several years ago, a cousin from Arkansas sent us a Christmas card on which was scribed the following words: 

"He came to pay a debt He didn't owe 

because we owed a debt we couldn't pay."

Those words struck me so deeply that I have kept them pinned on a wall picture board ever since.  I am so grateful for the greatest gift our Father in Heaven has given us, His Son, our redeemer and Lord Jesus Christ, and I am forever in debt for the sacrifice Christ made in giving His life for our eternal salvation. 

In celebrating the joyous event of Christ's birth, my family came over Christmas Eve for dinner and reenacting Luke II (it wasn't exactly a still, silent night in our home, but there was a sweet spirit of love and happiness).

THE CAST & CREW

Grandma, narrator

Crystal and Travis, Mary and Joseph

Jaxon, Baby Jesus

Gloria, the star

Amber, the angel

Russell and Drew, shepherds

Rhett and Zach, sheep

Jeff, wiseman

Melissa, photograher and sound technician

Grandpa Seely and Brenda, audience members

Melissa's 40th Birthday

Rhett, Amber, Melissa, Glo and Drew

Wow! I am officially "old" now! Thanks to my family and friends, 4 fun teenagers and 1 incredibly creative husband for making my day of gloom a happy one (I only got 1 black balloon but lots and lots of bright yellow ones, my favorite color)...