Visitors, Cabelas and Saying Goodbye

 

 

There was a week in January here in Lebanon, OR which just CALLED for leisurely walks along our country road.. the sun was so warm that some of us went without coats.. so pretty! 

                                                                                 

Our friends the Kings had come over for the afternoon on this particular day and they suggested a stroll..

 

 

Then a lot of gabbing afterwards of course, just like old times!

 

 

The girls and Rye took a nice walk also that week. It was a blessing that Mandy was up to it

 

Daddy got a $100 gift card to Cabelas from work for Christmas! Did he spend it on himself? No! He bought me a ceramic cast iron pan (a beautiful blue!) and a knife sharpener for the boys.. oh and a Cabelas football

 

This photo cracks me up because it looks like Ryan has antlers growing out of his head!

 

Our friends, the Nafzigers came over for dinner.. since then we have had to say goodbye to them as they will be serving in Kenya, Africa. We will miss you!!

 

Praying for you as you serve the Lord in Africa!

 

Happy 7th Birthday Our Little Gracie!!!!!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest, most lovable, adorable 7 year old! "Gracie, if your daddy and I went to Nigeria, Guatemala, New Guinea, Scotland, Iceland, Belize, Canada, Bolivia, Australia, Chili, China, Greenland, Ghana, Japan, and Turkey and lined up alllll the 7 year old little girls........ we would pick YOU"

Your Daddy and I pray that you would find our Lord Jesus at an early age and live your entire life serving Him and loving Him.

 

Even Laura got a gift this time! 

 

 

Holidays

While we do not celebrate Christmas, we enjoy going to Nanas during the Holidays because she spoils us so much! :-) This year she spent months making homemade gifts for everyone.. a lovely homemade, hand embroidered robe, a snuggly nightgown for me, dollhouse and bears for the girls.. and a sweet surprise for Amanda.

 

Nana had seen an antique wicker rocking chair at a consignment store.. it was tiny and petite and reminded Nana so much of Mandy that she HAD to get it for her!

 

She had repainted it this pretty green color and made cushions for it.

 

Nana was kinda emotional about it because she had been working on it all of November, while Amanda was in bed with the worst chronic flare up shes ever had. Everyone in our close sphere understands the emotional rollercoaster its been for Amanda and her family to see her go through her health issues. Nana hopes this sweet little rocker helps on days when Mandy doesn't feel up to much of anything but sitting. Thank you Nana for spoiling us! We love you both!!

Family Pics December 2014

                       Grant 13, Ashley 23, Grace 7, Grady, Kelly, Laura 4, Ryan 16, Amanda 20

 

Dad and Mama

Laura, Ashley, and Grace

Amanda

Ryan

Grant

Grace

Laura

Grant, Ashley, Laura, Ryan, Grace & Amanda

Happy 13th Birthday GRANT!

 

Dad and Ryan watch as Grant opens his bday gift

They had found a great carving/pocket knife that they just knew he'd love..

Grant loved it!

 

Nana and Papa came for a birthday visit too.. they had to get some

Goldendoodle snuggles in too of course!

Nana, Papa and Flora, one of Ashley and Amanda's goldendoodle pups from last year's litter

 

The next day we had a fun time going to pizza at Abby's with Grandma Barb!

 

We all enjoyed the gluten free pizza..

 

And Grant was especially thrilled with the all-you-can drink soda!

 

 Happy Birthday dearest Grant.  We love you so much Bubba and are so privileged to have you as our son. We love the way you think of others first and how you take your sisters under your wing and take such good care of them. We can see Jesus working in your life.. and are praying that in this coming year you learn to serve him and submit to Jesus even more!