Joy to the World...

We had a joy filled afternoon on Christmas day at Paul and Carol's. It was great to spend time with Ed & Cyndi and the kids...we missed all you who couldn't make it! Here we are on skype with Steve, Yolanda and Lucas; we had just called Lawrence, Ellen and the boys...at least they were part of all the fun for a little while! The adult gift exchange is great fun, each of us buys one gift, we pick numbers, #1 picks a gift first, opens it, and so on... once all gifts are opened, we start with last # and they can trade with whoever they want, obviously #1 gets the best chance at getting what he/she likes.
This sheepskin was one of the gifts I loved and ended up with.

Here Dad is opening another with wine, gift certificates for eating out including an envelope with the tip money!

Tia and Jordanna

Each cousin had another cousin to buy a gift for and Silas got these puzzles with a tool set from Boaz. He is already working hard on those puzzles!

Jordanna's gift was wrapped so thoughtfully by Uncle Phil, first in a clothes box, then a CD case, then a pack of gum which held the cash...great laugh!Tia adores her new doll...such a little mother!

The V G Holiday Get Together

Last week we enjoyed seeing most of the VG family for a holiday get together, we missed all those who couldn't make it! Thanks to Uncle Tim and Aunt Marni for all your work in organizing!!!

Sweet little Zachary

Enjoying the good food and fellowship.

The girls diligently coloring.

Uncle Tim and Austin.

Here is the whole gang!

We enjoyed singing Christmas songs accompanied by Mark and Jeff!

Tia helping Grandpa with his cane.

Mark and Esther looking through a memory book of Uncle Jim and the family.

Uncle Steve, Aunt Pam and Tyler...it was great to see you again!

Tia playing with her noodles...surprisingly she ate a bowl full.

Tia took a liking to Uncle Sam right away.


Thanks everyone for coming! It was good to see you all again!

Kids...

Here are some random pictures of the kids over the past few months...

Here is Tia looking at Aunt Sarah like, "what do you want me to do with him?" (This is new baby Zachary, brother to cousin Eric.)

Grandpa brought Justus over to play for a day...what fun that was...the two boys played so nice together all day. You can see in the background the mess my living room was by the end of the day!

I had to run to Home Depot for something and left the my husband in charge...after awhile it became real quiet, ok, time to check on those boys and see what mischief they are up to, but this is where Phil found them sitting up in Silas' room reading books together. I wish kids were always this easy!

Eric and Silas enjoying a snack of Golden Grahams.

Sweet little Tia-Bia playing in my pots and pans.

Thanksgiving Day!

For all of you waiting for some more posts...here are some pictures of our fun filled Thanksgiving day!

Precious little indians, Tia & Helena

McKenna and Selah and their indian babies.

Tia trying to show some love to Judah.

Here is the whole crowd of pilgrims and Indians.

Silas loved his Indian dress.

There are so many things to give thanks for, let me just name a few that come to mind:

A new little blessing on the way.

An Almighty God who is in complete control of our lives.

A God who forgives sin and who's mercies are new every morning.

My Tia who says so sweetly, "Please Mama".

My husband and all the work he has done to make this house new again.

The warmth a wood burning stove brings.

Parents who love the Lord.

My Silas who will eat anything I make.

A Father & Mother-in-law and their endless help.

Fresh fruit and veggies in the winter.

The blessing of so many young children in our church.

The beauty snow brings to this brown wintry earth.



Oh, there are so many more I could name...praise God for his overflowing hand of blessings!

Cortland Applesauce

While Grandma Moo was here a several weeks ago she brought a bushel of Cortland apples to make applesauce. Here is the process...

The apples are a real deep red color and thus makes the applesauce a pretty pink color.

Cut up the apples, no need to peel or de-pit them.
We put them right into the pressure cooker until doneThis is what they look like when done.

Then we put it through the squeezo strainer...that was most fun for Silas.

Silas making sure it is all mixed.
Getting all the jars ready to be filled.Filling the jars.
All the jars are put into a water bath, brought to a boil and boiled for 20 minutes.And there we have delicious applesauce for the winter.

Imaginative Hockey!

As Phil was watching hockey one evening with Silas(this wasn't the first time), the little boy slipped off Daddy's lap and went on his way upstairs with an idea. Several minutes later here he comes with a stick found who knows where and a tennis ball. "I'm playing hockey Dad!" he exclaimed. I just looked on with a big smile on my face until I saw his imagination in his new skates...he took the insides out of his snow boots and there he had "skates"! I couldn't keep in the laughter anymore. I love that boy!

He needs a little determination on his face though.

Silas is Three!

What an exciting day for a little boy who loves Birthday's, who sings/shouts "Happy Birthday!" in the middle of dinner or while we are getting our groceries at Shop-rite, driving down the road whenever and wherever...don't ask me why...he's just a character!

A new International tractor! Sorry Uncle's but I'm not just a John Deere fan!


Time to make cake! Oh what fun!
Three train cars...
One Engine...
A set of tracks...
And lots of candy!
After nap time it was time to put the wheels on and load on the trains cargo.

Can't forget the lights, and the smokestack!

Gummy wheels...

Candy corns, skittles...

Gum drops...
And three candles!
Sporting his new construction hat and chainsaw, now he can be just like daddy!

While he was opening his cards with gift money, and stuffing it in his pants pocket, I asked "What are you going to do with all the money?" "Oh give it to church." he replied like there was nothing else you do with money. Then I realized, hmmm he doesn't know what else to do with it because I hardly ever use it, I always use the plastic card! What a great way to teach good use of cash!

We love you Silas!