Christmas 2021

Vandalia had a Christmas-light parade that Harrison and I went to. Phillip had a fever that night, although he had wanted to go. Little did we know what he was starting..... 

It was a cold night; we'll dress warmer next time. But it was really fun. We found someone from church to hang out with (the Galloways). And one of the businesses was giving out hot cocoa. We went to the store when it was over to get Phillip medicine, and everyone there was talking about the parade. And everyone also went to the store afterward. Longest line I've ever seen at County Market. It was such a fun small town thing ~ to have everyone talking about the parade in the local store. 

Our church kid's Christmas play. 

Harrison was just old enough not to be in it. He told me, "I'd be so embarrassed if I had to be up there!" Next time we raise him, we'll make sure he grows up being in Christmas plays so that it's not a big deal by the time he's 11. The play was adorable.

Our little kittens have been out playing in the sunshine. 

Jonathan helped me make gingerbread to prepare for gingerbread houses.

Liz is home! She's working on embroidering leaves onto her shawl. 

Phillip must have snuck a picture of me onto my phone. This has been my past two weeks. I tested positive for Covid. Phillip did not. But we did take the tests toward the end, so maybe he had it even though the test was negative. Or maybe it was the flu. The flu, covid, pneumonia..... all of that is going around. We have been so-o-o-o tired for two weeks. We've been taking a lot of naps. We're still coughing, but we're past the contagious date the doctor tells us, so we're back at life. 

Thank you for all who brought meals and checked on us! Every day I thought, "Today we'll feel better. I can cook today. It'll be fine." And then I'd be so nauseous and exhausted ~ We had great food brought to us and the kids also cooked for themselves (they were fine by the way ~ hardly a sniffly nose for them).

I thought we had done gingerbread houses, like, a couple years ago. But the kids remember that I had them wait until Harrison took a nap before I let them decorate. Which means that had to be 8 or 9 years ago! So it's been a bit. But we had the Jacyna's over for the craziness of gingerbread decor. Per above, I mostly slept. They were great about cleaning up and not needing my help with anything!

Phoebe was so proud of her porch, and rightly so.

Liz making cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast.

We went to the Baptist church's Christmas Eve service. Phillip and I missed our church's since we were sick. Then we came home to chicken chili and cookie dough and opening stocking gifts.

All the kids helped make something for the Christmas meal. Phoebe's making gravy. Harrison helped make the pecan pie. Jonathan put the vegetables on. Liz made a strawberry dessert. 

John and Kristy came over (Phillip's brother), and we had a great time visiting with them! They brought cookies and delicious bread from one of their favorite restaurants.

Merry Christmas! 

 

Winter Formal and Tree Decorating

Sunset from the front yard.

One of our front yard trees looks a little scary with no leaves on it.

The kittens are starting to eat Big-Cat food. 

It's been cold out there this week! But they're all still around.

Our church had a lovely Ladies Christmas Tea last Friday. 

Mrs. Galloway read us The Redneck Night Before Christmas, and we had other songs and readings as well. 

Plenty of food and laughter!

The next night was Winter Formal at the public school, and Phoebe and Jonathan both attended. Phoebe went with some friends from church (thank you for inviting her, Kenna!). Jonathan went with Gabry.

Dress shopping is not for the faint of heart, but we finally found one before Phoebe gave out.

We got lots of pictures of Jon and Gabry in front of her Christmas tree. Very handsome couple!

I think they all had a good time. This would be the first dance for Jon and Phoebe. They both danced a bit (a parent sent me a short video clip; I was blessed all night with lots of pictures and messages from parents who were at the dance or took the kids to supper.) Then the group went to Gabry's house to hang out. I'm so grateful for all the kids' friendships around here!

Sunday night we had a community Hymn Sing at our church. I thought it was a lot of fun to sing Christmas songs together and hear the different preachers from town read Scripture. I sat way in the back, but I tried to get a picture of some of our youth group kids singing a song. Jonathan is sitting down playing the box drum and Gabry is next to him playing the ukulele. They all did a great job!

And the next night we decorated our Christmas tree. We ate grilled cheese and tomato soup for supper and had cocoa and toast after the decorating was done. Then we taught Gabry how to play Dutch Blitz and SET ~ two staple games around here.

Jonathan drawing for Nature Study.

Phillip got those wires connected and the light fixtures up. 

We now have lovely front porch light!

 

Thanksgiving 2021

I like a good leaf picture. 

I told Phillip if we ever plant trees over here, I'd like them to be a kind that turn a bright color in the fall.

Phoebe being so teen-agery.

Elayne gave me a neat scone dish and baking set as a gift. 

We made lemon-blueberry scones while Elizabeth was home. They were quite a good treat to snack on throughout the week.

And the kittens are alive! 

There are five little cuties that come out from under the house now. Phoebe's had the most interaction with them. She's able to pick some of them up.

Phillip got me set up so I could watch the Macy's Day Parade on Thanksgiving! 

It almost felt abnormal to have it so easily after all these years of googling and trying iffy sites and finally settling on watching last year's. 

Mimi and Papa had us over for Thanksgiving dinner. Aunt Anita and her kids were also there. It's a lot of fun to converse with all of them. Sara teaches literature to high schoolers and Anita homeschooled using Ambleside Online (which I also use), so we have lots of enjoyable conversation. 

Mimi and Papa cooking away for us.

I'm waiting, butter in hand, for the rolls to come out of the oven.

Jon and Seth both work at grocery stores, so they had something in common to discuss.

We wrote our Thankfuls on these tablecloths. We've done this several different years, and it's fun to read what we wrote in the past. 

Papa read a Thanksgiving devotion which encouraged us to give thanks to God even in hard times.

The kids then went to share part of the day with friends in town. 

Harrison played Nerf and such with the younger kids and the older ones played Life.

Uncle Lee (Paul's brother) invited the Gore family over for dinner at The Junction and then hang-out time at his house. We were last at a Gore family deal about 9 years ago.

This was the last Gore family get-together at Uncle Lee's house. Harrison is two here and the other boy is Collin who is the son of Phillip's close cousin Eric. Eric and Phillip were about the same age and spent a lot of time together as kids. 

Harrison was tired-out here. Collin's like, "What's wrong with this kid?"

And here is present day Harrison and Collin playing the Dukes of Hazzard board game in Lee's basement.

Phillip got the porch ceiling painted! He and Jamie and Paul got the ceiling up last Saturday while I was painting shutters. Right at this very moment, Phillip is putting in the light fixtures.